J & V Pesl v Ray Smith Tractors & Anor [2007] NSWCA 74

Reported Decision: (2007) Aust Torts Reports 81-883(2007) Aust Contract Reports 90-252

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: J & V Pesl v Ray Smith Tractors & Anor [2007] NSWCA 74

HEARING DATE(S): 26 February 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 2 April 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Beazley JA at 1; Ipp JA at 2; Tobias JA at 3

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.; The respondent's cross-appeal also dismissed with no order as to costs.

CATCHWORDS: TORTS – Negligence – Essentials of action for negligence – Duty of care – Vendor of goods – Reasonable foreseeability of damage – Heavy machinery – Failure to pass on updated safety warning from manufacturer – Passage of time since purchase longer than normal useful life of product – Magnitude of risk and degree of probability - TRADE AND COMMERCE – Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 52 – Misleading or deceptive conduct – Where representations factually true at time made, even though not true later

LEGISLATION CITED: Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)

Clarke v Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd [1903] 1 KB 155 Elliott v Bali Bungy Co (2002) NSWSC 906 Lanza v Codemo [2001] NSWSC 845 CASES CITED: Laundess v Laundess (1994) Aust Torts Reports 81-316(61,870) McPherson's Ltd v Eaton (2005) 65 NSWLR 187 Rivtow Marine Ltd v Washington Ironworks (1973) 40 DLR (3d) 530 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council (2005) 223 CLR 422 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40

J & V Pesl Pty Limited PARTIES: Ray Smith Tractors Pty Limited Ray Smith (Jnr) Pty Limited

FILE NUMBER(S): CA 40014/06

COUNSEL: A: J Glissan QC / L Ellison SC R: P Mahoney SC / G Young