HAMOD v SUNCORP METWAY INSURANCE LTD [2006] NSWCA 243

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: HAMOD v SUNCORP METWAY INSURANCE LTD [2006] NSWCA 243

HEARING DATE(S): 30 August 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 1 September 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Beazley JA at 1; Santow JA at 2; Basten JA at 3

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: EVIDENCE – expert evidence – admissibility – Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 79 – car stolen despite engine immobiliser – expert had no experience in immobilisers – based opinion on internet materials and investigations – whether expert had relevant expertise – whether expert expressed relevant opinion – whether opinion based on expertise – whether opinion expressed in admissible form - JURISDICTION – appeal from Local Court under Local Courts (Civil Claims) Act 1970 (NSW), s 69(2) – whether appeal against the rejection of an expert report was an appeal "in point of law" – expertise a question of fact – whether alleged error material to the outcome

Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 76, 77, 78, 79 LEGISLATION CITED: Local Courts Act 1982 (NSW), s 73 Local Courts (Civil Claims) Act 1970 (NSW), s 69 Supreme Court Rules 1970 (NSW), Part 51, r23

Balenzuela v De Gail (1959) 101 CLR 226 HG v The Queen (1999) 197 CLR 414 CASES CITED: Leichhardt Municipal Council v Seatainer Terminals Pty Ltd (1981) 48 LGRA 409 Seltsam Pty Ltd v Ghaleb [2005] NSWCA 208 Vidal v NRMA Insurance Ltd [2005] NSWCA 390 Yates Property Corporation Pty Ltd (In liq) v Darling Harbour Authority (1991) 24 NSWLR 156

PARTIES: Anthony Hamod - Appellant Suncorp Metway Insurance Limited - Respondent

FILE NUMBER(S): CA 41084/04