THE NOMINAL DEFENDANT v SWIFT; WOLLONDILLY SHIRE COUNCIL v SWIFT [2007] NSWCA 56

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: THE NOMINAL DEFENDANT v SWIFT; WOLLONDILLY SHIRE COUNCIL v SWIFT [2007] NSWCA 56

HEARING DATE(S): 22-23 August 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 22 March 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Beazley JA at 1; Santow JA at 4; McColl JA at 104

DECISION: See orders at para [103].

CATCHWORDS: TORT – NEGLIGENCE – Unidentified vehicle – Nominal Defendant sued – was there due search and inquiry under s28(1) of Motor Accidents Act 1988 (NSW) – Liability of council for state of gutter – causation – contributory negligence from failure to wear seat belt.

LEGISLATION CITED: Motor Accidents Act 1988 (NSW) s28(1) Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act 1942 (NSW) s30(2)

Almeida v Universal Dye Works Pty Ltd (No 2) [2001] NSWCA 156 Balesfire Pty Ltd t/as the Gutter Shop & Ors v Jamie Adams & Ors [2006] NSWCA 112 Blandford v Fox (1944) 45 SR (NSW) 241 Bullock v London General Omnibus Co [1907] 1 KB 264 Harrison v The Nominal Defendant (1975) 7 ALR 680 CASES CITED: Nicholson v Nicholson (1994) 35 NSWLR 308 Nominal Defendant v Smith (1998) 28 MVR 165 Oztan & Ors v NSW Insurance Ministerial Corporation (1995) 23 MVR 259 Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales, Council of the Shire of Evans and Pioneer Road Services Pty Limited v Palmer (No 2) [2005] NSWCA 140 Sanderson v Blyth Theatre Co [1903] 2 KB 533 Sved v Council of the Municipality of Woollahra (1998) NSW ConvR 55-842 Wardle v Kick & Ors [2006] NSWSC 327

CA 40975/05: THE NOMINAL DEFENDANT (Appellant) Craig Allan SWIFT (Respondent) PARTIES: CA 40049/06: WOLLONDILLY SHIRE COUNCIL (Appellant) Craig Allan SWIFT (Respondent)