Nguyen v Cosmopolitan Homes [2008] NSWCA 246

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Nguyen v Cosmopolitan Homes [2008] NSWCA 246

HEARING DATE(S): 6 August 2008

JUDGMENT DATE: 16 October 2008

JUDGMENT OF: McColl JA at 1; Bell JA at 2; McDougall J at 3

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: EVIDENCE – standard of proof – on balance of probabilities - where house and contents damaged by fire – onus on plaintiff to show that fire caused by negligent acts and omissions alleged against defendants – tribunal of fact must feel sense of actual persuasion – circumstantial case – not necessary for proof on balance of probabilities that all possible causes inconsistent with negligence be excluded. - EVIDENCE – expert opinion evidence – distinction between inference and speculation – expert evidence as to causation – whether more than conjecture - tribunal of fact not bound to accept opinions of experts. - CONTRACT – breach of contract – need to prove that alleged breach caused loss – tribunal of fact not bound by experts' opinion as to existence of causal link. - NEGLIGENCE – duty of care – need to prove that alleged breach caused loss – tribunal of fact not bound by experts' opinions as to existence of causal link. - PRACTICE – discretion to allow affidavit to be read when maker not available, when required, for cross-examination – no question of principle.

Civil Liability Act 2002 LEGISLATION CITED: Civil Liability Amendment (Personal Responsibility) Act 2002 Home Building Act 1989

Bennett v Minister for Community Welfare (1992) 176 CLR 408 Bradshaw v McEwans Pty Ltd (1951) 217 ALR 1 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Brodie v Singleton Shire Council (2001) 206 CLR 512 Carr v Baker (1936) 36 SR (NSW) 301 Caswell v Powell Duffryn Associated Collieries Ltd [1940] AC 152 Chappel v Hart (1998)195 CLR 232 Davie v Lord Provost, Magistrates and Councillors of the City of Edinburgh (1953) SC 34 Davies v Taylor [1974] AC 207 Girlock (Sales) Pty Limited v Hurrell (1982) 149 CLR 155 Helton v Allen (1940) 63 CLR 691 CASES CITED: Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Makita (Australia) Pty Limited v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Limited (1990) 169 CLR 638 March v E & MH Stramare Pty Limited (1991) 171 CLR 506 Naxakis v Western General Hospital (1999) 197 CLR 269 Rhesa Shipping SA v Edmunds [1985] 1 W LR 948 Ruddock v Taylor (2003) 58 NSW LR 269 Schellenberg v Tunnel Holdings Pty Limited (2000) 200 CLR 121 Seltsam Pty Ltd v McGuiness (2000) 49 NSWLR 262 Tubemakers of Australia Ltd v Fernandez (1976) 50 ALJR 720 West v Government Insurance Office of NSW (1981) 148 CLR 62 X and Y (by her tutor X) v Pal (1991) 23 NSWLR 26