Leitch & Ors v Reynolds [2005] NSWCA 259

Reported Decision : (2005) Aust Torts Reports 81-806

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Leitch & Ors v Reynolds [2005] NSWCA 259

HEARING DATE(S): 18 April 2005

JUDGMENT DATE: 5 August 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Santow JA at 1; Young CJ in Eq at 117; Campbell AJA at 118

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: TORT - NEGLIGENCE - Solicitors' failure to pursue plaintiff's cause of action for failed surgical treatment against his medical professionals leading to limitation period being exceeded with further delay resulting in limitation period not being extended - DAMAGES for loss of benefit of cause of action - Measure of damages when x-rays said to be indispensable to success of action - Whether instead discount of cause of action to take account of reduced prospects of success from lost x-rays should have been greater than 55% - Damages for economic loss and for vexation and distress.

Evidence Act s63, s136 LEGISLATION CITED: Limitations Act 1977 (NSW)

Avenhouse v Hornsby Shire Council (1998) 44 NSWLR 1 Baltic Shipping Company v Dillon (1993) 176 CLR 344 Bendix Mintex Pty Ltd v Barnes (1997) 42 NSWLR 307 Commonwealth of Australia v Amann Aviation Pty Limited (1991) 174 CLR 64 Cowra Shire Council v Trudgett [2004] NSWCA 9 Johnson v Australian Casualty Company Limited (1992) 7 Anz Ins Cases 61-109 Johnson v Perez (1988) 166 CLR 351 CASES CITED: Kitchen v Royal Air Force Association [1958] 1 WLR 563 Luxton v Vines (1952) 85 CLR 352 Nikolau v Pasavas Phillips & Co (No. 2) (1989) 166 CLR 394 Phillips v Bisley (Court of Appeal, unreported, 18 February 1997) Purkess v Crittenden [1965] 114 CLR 164 Roach v Page No 11 [2003] NSWSC 907 Walmsley v Cosentino [2001] NSWCA 403 Young v Coupe & Ors [2004] NSWSC 546