TAB Limited v Beaman [2006] NSWCA 345

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: TAB Limited v Beaman [2006] NSWCA 345

HEARING DATE(S): 6 and 7 April 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 8 December 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; Bryson JA at 26; Young CJ in Eq at 27

DECISION: Appeal of TAB Ltd and cross-appeal of Dannik Pty Ltd is allowed. Verdict for the appellant and second respondent. Orders for restitution of amount paid to plaintiff. Plaintiff to pay costs.

CATCHWORDS: TORTS- Negligence- Duty of care- Scope of duty- Armed robbery at TAB agency operated by franchisee- Employee injured- Whether failure to ensure suitable and safe workplace, system and training- Whether duty extends to protecting employee from criminal acts of third parties- Whether special relationship between franchisee or TAB Ltd and employee- Robbery foreseeable- Capacity to reduce risk considerably- Causation- "But for" the protective measures that may have been actioned, the robbery could still have taken place- Plaintiff fails on causation.

District Court Rules, Pt 17 r10 (now Uniform Civil Procedure Rule r 36.17) LEGISLATION CITED: Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 Supreme Court Act 1970, s 75A(10) Workers Compensation Act 1987, s 151Z

Ashrafi Persian Trading Co Pty Ltd v Ashrafinia [2002] Aust Torts Rep 81-636 Coca Cola Amatil (NSW) Pty Ltd v Pareezer [2006] NSWCA 45 English v Rogers [2005] NSWCA 327 Liftronic Pty Ltd v Unver (2001) 75 ALJR 867 March v Stramare Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506 Modbury Triangle Shopping Centre v Anzil (2000) 205 CLR 254 CASES CITED: Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALJR 492 Proprietors Strata Plan 17226 v Drakulic (2002) 55 NSWLR 659 Speirs v Caledonian Collieries Ltd (1957) 57 SR (NSW) 483 State of New South Wales v Kennelly (No 2) [2001] NSWCA 472 Timberland Property Holdings Pty Ltd v Bundy [2005] NSWCA 419 WD & HO Wills (Australia) Ltd v State Rail Authority (NSW) (1998) 43 NSWLR 338 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40