HILL v FORRESTER [2010] NSWCA 170

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: HILL v FORRESTER [2010] NSWCA 170 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S): 20/07/2010

JUDGMENT DATE: 10 November 2010

JUDGMENT OF: Tobias JA at 1; Handley AJA at 17; Sackville AJA at 65

(1) Appeal allowed. (2) The judgment of the District Court (including the order as to costs) set aside. DECISION: (3) In lieu thereof, substitute judgment for the plaintiff (respondent) in the sum of $34,409.00. (4) The defendant (appellant) pay the plaintiff's (respondent) costs of the District Court proceedings on the ordinary basis. (5) The respondent pay 50% of the appellant's costs of the appeal (including the application for leave to appeal). (6) The respondent, if otherwise qualified, to have a certificate under the Suitors Fund Act 1951.

CATCHWORDS: DAMAGES – personal injuries – gratuitous care – threshold of 6 continuous months care – satisfaction – whether plaintiff entitled to damages for earlier periods of care for less than six months. - CIVIL LIABILITY ACT – gratuitous care – s 15(3) – construction.

Civil Liability Legislation Amendment Act 2008 Civil Liability Act, s 15(3) LEGISLATION CITED: Interpretation Act 1987 Legal Profession Act 2004, s 340 Motor Accidents Act 1988

CATEGORY: Principal judgment

Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Roger Ward & Ors (6 July 2010) [22]-[33] Blue Metal Industries Ltd v Dilley [19709] AC 827, Cai v Zheng [2009] NSWCA 13 Geaghan v D'Aubert [2002] NSWCA 260 CASES CITED: Harrison v Melhem [2008] NSWCA 67, 72 NSWLR 380 Legal Profession Act 2004 Nicholson v Nicholson (1994) 35 NSWLR 308 Pacific Steel Constructions Pty Ltd v Barahona [2009] NSWCA 406 RTA v McGregor [2005] NSWCA 388