Patrick Operations Pty Ltd v Comcare [2006] NSWCA 142

Reported Decision : 4 DDCR 234

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Patrick Operations Pty Ltd v Comcare [2006] NSWCA 142

HEARING DATE(S): 25 May 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 6 September 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; Ipp JA at 69; Tobias JA at 73

DECISION: (1) Set aside the verdict and judgment entered by Duck J on 6 April 2005 and the order for costs then made; (2) Remit the proceedings to the Dust Diseases Tribunal for further determination; (3) Costs in the Tribunal to be in the discretion of the judge conducting the further determination; (4) Respondent to pay the appellant's costs of the appeal.

CATCHWORDS: Contribution between tortfeasors - where damage divisible - assessment of "the same damage" for which contribution to be made - error in point of law by Dust Diseases Tribunal in apportioning the whole of the damages payable - whether Court of Appeal could or should make fresh apportionment - or should be remission to Tribunal - consideration of nature of error in point of law and powers if error in point of law shown.

Amaca Pty Ltd v New South Wales (2003) 77 ALJR 1509; Attorney-General for the State of New South Wales v X (2000) 49 NSW:R 653; Azzopardi v Tasman UEB Industries Ltd (1985) 4 NSWLR 139; (Re Bowie) Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee v James Patrick & Co Pty Ltd (in liquidation) [2005] NSWDDT 59; (Re Cassar) Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee v James Patrick & Co Pty Ltd (in liquidation) [2005] NSWDDT 60; Dillingham Constructions Pty Ltd v Steel Mains Pty Ltd (1975) 132 CLR 323; Dingle v Associated Newspapers Ltd (1961) 2 QB 162; Gibson v SIFC & Ors (DDT 89 of 1996); Krew v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1971) 45 ALJR 324; Macquarie Pathology Services Pty Ltd v Sullivan (CA, 29 March 1995, unreported); Mahoney v J Kruschich (Demolitions) Pty Ltd (1985) 165 CLR 522; CASES CITED: Maurici v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue (2001) 51 NSWLR 673; Municipal Tramways Trust v Buckley (1912) 14 CLR 731; Naxakis v Western General Hospital (1999) 197 CLR 269; North Broken Hill Ltd v Tumes (1999) 19 NSWCCR 412; Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Perry (2001) 52 NSWLR 222; Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALJR 492; Seltsam Pty Ltd v Ghaleb [2005] NSWCA 208; Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee v Gibson [2000] NSWCA 179; Swain v Waverley Municipal Council (2005) 213 ALR 249; Tobin v Murison (1845) 5 Moo PC 110; 13 ER 431; Vetter v Lake Macquarie City Council (2001) 202 CLR 439; Wallaby Grip Ltd v Peirce [2000] NSWCA 299; Warley Pty Ltd v Adco Constructions Pty Ltd (CA, 30 November 1998, unreported).