Brighton le Sands Amateur Fishermen's Association Ltd v Vasilios Koromvokis [2007] NSWCA 331

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Brighton le Sands Amateur Fishermen's Association Ltd v Vasilios Koromvokis [2007] NSWCA 331

HEARING DATE(S): 7 November 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 26 November 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; Tobias JA at 2; Handley AJA at 39

DECISION: (a) Appeal allowed; (b) Set aside the orders made by his Honour Judge McLoughlin on 31 January 2007 and in lieu thereof enter a judgment and verdict for the appellant; (c) The respondent to pay the appellant's costs of the proceedings in the District Court and of the summons for leave to appeal and the appeal but to have with respect to the latter a certificate under the Suitor's Fund Act 1951, if otherwise qualified

CATCHWORDS: COURTS AND JUDGES – Procedural Fairness – Where trial judge made findings not related to case presented at trial - APPEAL AND NEW TRIAL – Appeal – Inadequacy of reasons - TORT – Negligence – Obviousness of risk – Balancing exercise – Civil Liability Act 2002 ss 5F and 5G

LEGISLATION CITED: Civil Liability Act 2002

Brodie v Singleton Shire Council [2001] HCA 29; (2001) 206 CLR 512 Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer [2007] HCA 42, (2007) 238 ALR 761 CASES CITED: Thompson v Woolworths (Queensland) Pty Ltd [2005] HCA 19, (2005) 221 CLR 234 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] HCA 62, (2005) 223 CLR 422 Van Der Sluice v Display Craft Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 204 Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40

PARTIES: Brighton le Sands Amateur Fishermen's Association Ltd Vasilios Koromvokis

FILE NUMBER(S): CA 40086/07

COUNSEL: Cl: J Maconachie QC / M Best Opp: P Biggers