Keane v Caravan City Cowra Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 56

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Keane v Caravan City Cowra Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 56

HEARING DATE(S) : 29 May 2006-2 June 2006, 5 June 2006-8 June 2006, 14 August 2006-17 August 2006, 11 September 2006-15 September 2006, 19 September 2006.

JUDGMENT DATE : 8 February 2008

JURISDICTION : Common Law

JUDGMENT OF : Rothman J

(i) The defendants are jointly and severally liable in negligence to the plaintiff for the damage suffered by the plaintiff on 21 March 1999 at the premises of Caravan City Cowra Pty Limited.

(ii) The amount of damage is to be reduced by 33 1/3 percent on account of contributory negligence of the plaintiff. DECISION : (iii) The defendant shall pay the plaintiff's costs of and incidental to these proceedings, as agreed or assessed, which costs shall be payable forthwith.

(iv) The parties have liberty to approach the Court for any further or special order and in particular any order or special order relating to the costs of the proceedings.

CATCHWORDS : NEGLIGENCE – prospective purchaser granted licence to live and work at caravan park – duty of care – instructed to perform work – unreasonable want of care – owner/occupier knew or ought to have known of danger – breach of duty – contributory negligence.

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Air Great Lakes Pty Ltd v Easter (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1985) 2 NSWLR 309 AMP v Chaplin (1978) ALJR 407 (P.C.) Astley v Austrust Ltd [1999] HCA 6; 197 CLR 1; 161 ALR 155; 73 ALJR 403 Australian Hardboards Limited v Hudson Investment Group Limited [2006] NSWCCA 146 Cowell v Rosehill Racecourse Company Limited [1937] HCA 17; (1937) 56 CLR 605 Graham Barclay Oysters Pty Ltd v Ryan [2002] HCA 54; 211 CLR 540; 194 ALR 337; 77 ALJR 183 Masters v Cameron [1954] HCA 72; (1954) 91 CLR 353 CASES CITED : McPherson's Ltd v Eaton [2005] NSWCA 435 Papatonakis v Australian Telecommunications Commission [1985] HCA 3; (1985) 156 CLR 7 Pearce v Pearce [1977] 1 NSWLR 170 Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; 59 ALJR 492; 59 ALR 529 Sakoua v Williams [2005] NSWCA 405; (2005) 64 NSWLR 588 Silovi v Barbaro (1988) 13 NSWLR 466 South Dowling v Cody Outdoor [2005] NSWCA 407 Tramways Advertising Pty Ltd v Luna Park [1938] SR(NSW) 632; 55 WN(NSW) 228 Waltons Stores Interstate Limited v Maher [1988] HCA 7; (1988) 164 CLR 387