Cruise Group Pty Ltd v Fullard [2005] NSWCA 161

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Cruise Group Pty Ltd v Fullard [2005] NSWCA 161

HEARING DATE(S): 10 May 2005

JUDGMENT DATE: 2 June 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; Basten JA at 24; McClellan AJA at 57

DECISION: (1) Appeal allowed; (2) Set aside the verdict and judgment for the plaintiff, and in lieu thereof verdict and judgment for the defendant; (3) Plaintiff to pay the costs of the trial and the appeal, and to have a certificate under the Suitors Fund Act if otherwise qualified.

CATCHWORDS: Negligence - passenger tripped over coaming at doorway between deck and internal area of cruise boat - blue-grey deck and riser, white door and bulkhead to the sides, metal strips on top of coaming and at foot of riser - whether boat operator's duty of care required more by way of distinguishing paintwork or a sign or announcement - no known falls in 10,000 trips annually over twelve years - (by majority) risk minimal - response of reasonable boat operator did not require more.

Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna (1987) 162 CLR 479; Calin v The Greater Union Organisation Pty Ltd (1991) 173 CLR 33; Gosford City Council v Needs [2003] NSWCA 144; Hoyts Pty Ltd v Burns [2003] 77 ALJR 1934; Hunt v Knight Frank (NSW) Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 139 Romeo v Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory (1998) 192 CLR 431; CASES CITED: Southern Regional Health Board v Grimsey (1998) 8 Tas R 166; Thompson v Woolworths (Qld) Pty Ltd [2005] HCA 19; University of Wollongong v Mitchell [2003] NSWCA 94. Van der Sluice v Display Craft Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 204; Woods v Multi-Sport Holdings Pty Ltd (2002) 208 CLR 460; Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40.