Guides Australia Inc v McMartin [2006] NSWCA 20

Reported Decision : (2006) Aust Torts Reports 81-828

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Guides Australia Inc v McMartin [2006] NSWCA 20

HEARING DATE(S): 19/09/05

JUDGMENT DATE: 16 February 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Handley JA at 1; Young CJ in Eq at 2; Campbell AJA at 3

DECISION: 1. Appeal allowed in part; 2. Order of Judge Rolfe that the appellant indemnify the respondent in relation to the costs ordered to be paid by the respondent to the Greater Taree City Council set aside; 3. Appeal otherwise dismissed; 4 Appellant to pay ninety five per cent of the respondent's costs of the appeal.

CATCHWORDS: Negligence - Personal injury - Pedestrian injured by fall in hole in Guides' Hall grounds - Misuse of forensic advantage - Duty of care - Civil Liability Act 2002 Divisions 2,4 and 8 - Damages - Assessment by "splitting the difference" - Civil Liability Act 2002 s 13.

LEGISLATION CITED: Civil Liability Act 2002 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999

Brodie v Singleton Shire Council (2001) 206 CLR 512 State Rail Authority of NSW v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (in liq) (1999) 169 ALR 588 Galea v Galea (1990) 19 NSWLR 263 at 281 Ghantous v Hawkesbury Shire Council (2001) 206 CLR 512 Bathurst City Council v Cheeseman (2004) NSWCA 308 Maviglia v Maviglia [1999] NSWCCA 188 Jones v Bartlett (2002) 205 CLR 166 Telstra Corporation Ltd v Bisley [2005] NSWCA 128 Suttor v Gundowda Pty Ltd (1950) 81 CLR 418 Abalos v Australian Postal Commisssion (1990) 171 CLR 167 CASES CITED: Fox v Percy (2003) 197 ALR 201 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sproules (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 Parks v Penrith City Council [2004] NSWCA 201 Kmart Australia v McCann [2004] NSWCA 283 Macarthur District Motor Cycle Sportsmen Inc v Ardizzone [2004] NSWCA 145 State of New South Wales v Zerafa [2005] NSWCA 187 The Nominal Defendant v Lane [2004] NSWCA 405 Electricity Commission of New South Wales v Yates [1993] 30 NSWLR Gould v Vaggelas (1985) 157 CLR 125 Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee v Gibson (2000) 20 NSWCLR 417, [2000] NSWCA 179 Lackerstein v Jones (No 2) (1988) 93 FLR 442