Sarkis v Summitt Broadway Pty Ltd trading as Sydney City Mitsubishi [2006] NSWCA 358

Reported Decision : (2006) Aust Torts Reports 81-868

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Sarkis v Summitt Broadway Pty Ltd trading as Sydney City Mitsubishi [2006] NSWCA 358

HEARING DATE(S): 26 June 2006; 27 June 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 14 December 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Handley JA at 1; Ipp JA at 78; Bryson JA at 79

DECISION: 1. Appeal allowed with costs.; 2. Judgment of the District Court set aside.; 3. In lieu thereof substitute a judgment for the plaintiff for $8,146.80 with effect from 20 May 2005 without costs.; 4. The respondent is to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 if qualified.

CATCHWORDS: CAUSATION – suicide – whether chain of causation broken - NEGLIGENCE – damages – suicide of victim

LEGISLATION CITED: Compensation to Relatives Act 1897 Workers Compensation Act 1987

AMP General Insurance Ltd v RTA (2001) 22 NSWCCR 247 Arabian v Tufnall and Taylor Ltd [1944] KB 685 Bennett v Minister of Community Welfare (1992) 176 CLR 408 Bitumen & Oil Refineries (Australia) Ltd v Commissioner for Government Transport (1955) 92 CLR 200 BNP Paribas v Pacific Carriers Ltd [2005] NSWCA 72 Chapman v Hearse (1961) 106 CLR 112 Chappel v Hart (1998) 195 CLR 232 Corr v IBC Vehicles Ltd [2006] 3 WLR 395 Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioners (1949) 78 CLR 62 CASES CITED: Holdlen Pty Ltd v Walsh (2000) 19 NSWCCR 629 Lisle v Brice [2002] 2 Qd R 168 Mahony v J Kruschich (Demolitions) Pty Ltd (1985) 156 CLR 522 March v E & M H Stramere Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506 NSW Insurance Ministerial Corporation v Myers (1995) 21 MVR 295 Tame v New South Wales (2002) 211 CLR 317 Telstra Corporation Ltd v Smith [1998] Aust Torts Rep 81-487 Unity Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd v Rocco Pezzano Pty Ltd (1998) 192 CLR 603 Warren v Coombs (1979) 142 CLR 531 Western Stores Ltd v Orange City Council [1971] 2 NSWLR 36