SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES PTY LTD v McPHERSON [2009] NSWCA 214

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES PTY LTD v McPHERSON [2009] NSWCA 214

HEARING DATE(S): 29 May 2009

JUDGMENT DATE: 24 July 2009

JUDGMENT OF: Basten JA at 1; Campbell JA at 86; Simpson J at 87

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs

CATCHWORDS: EVIDENCE – weight and sufficiency of evidence – objective and expert evidence – statistical evidence – whether sufficient to compel rejection of witness testimony – whether constituted more than speculative possibility - PROCEDURE – federal jurisdiction – claim under Commonwealth law – application of State laws – sufficiency of Commonwealth law – whether Commonwealth law otherwise provides - TRADE AND COMMERCE – trade practices – consumer protection – liability of manufacturers or importers for defective goods – whether objective evidence disproved liability – whether objective evidence established statutory defences - WORDS AND PHRASES – "defective goods" – "manufacturer's liability"

Constitution, s 109 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), ss 78B, 79, 80 LEGISLATION CITED: Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 75A Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 74, 74A, 74AC, 74D, 75AA, 75AD, 75AK; Pt VIB Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 51.53

CATEGORY: Principal judgment

Bitannia Pty Ltd v Parkline Constructions Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 238; 67 NSWLR 9 Commonwealth v Mewett [1997] HCA 29; 191 CLR 471 Effem Foods Ltd v Nicholls [2004] NSWCA 332; (2004) ATPR 42-034 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles [2001] NSWCA 305; 52 NSWLR 705 CASES CITED: Medtel Pty Ltd v Courtney [2003] FCAFC 151; 130 FCR 182 Murphy v Overton Investments Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 3; 216 CLR 388 Piper v JRI (Manufacturing) Ltd [2006] EWCA Civ 1344; All ER (D) 181 Solomons v District Court (NSW) [2002] HCA 47; 211 CLR 119 Wallis v Downard-Pickford (North Queensland) Pty Ltd [1994] HCA 17; 179 CLR 388