Meakes v Nominal Defendant [2011] NSWDC 9

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Meakes v Nominal Defendant [2011] NSWDC 9 Hearing dates: 17, 23, 24, 25 November, 16 December 2010 Decision date: 15 March 2011 Before: Levy SC DCJ Decision: 1. Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $433,565; 2. The defendant is ordered to pay the plaintiff's costs on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered; 3. The exhibits may be returned; 4. Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further orders are required. Catchwords: TORT - collision between unidentified motor vehicle and pedestrian at a city intersection - whether the collision was due to negligence of driver - whether there was contributory negligence on the part of the pedestrian - whether due inquiry and search has been established - whether plaintiff's status as a legal practitioner warranted a different standard of consideration of the discharge of the obligation of due inquiry and search compared to that required of a lay litigant; PROCEDURE - exclusion of medical opinion where reports served during the course of trial and not in accordance with the rules - whether special circumstances shown - UCPR r 31.28(4) - medical opinion on DVD evidence of plaintiff's activities - requirement to avoid ambush at trial; DAMAGES - assessment of individual heads of damage - whether superannuation losses claimable by self-employed legal practitioner Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005, ss 56 - 58 Evidence Act 1995, ss 79 - 80 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, ss 34, 126 & 136 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 31.28(4); Sch 7, cl 5(c) Cases Cited: Aon Risk Services Australia Limited v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27 Blandford v Fox (1944) SR (NSW) 241 Cavanagh v Nominal Defendant [1958] HCA 57; (1958) 100 CLR 375 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Dennis v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2008] NSWCA 37 Graham v Baker [1961] HCA 48; (1961) 106 CLR 340 Grill v General Iron Screw Collier Co. (1866) 35 LJCP 321 Harrison v Nominal Defendant (1975) ALR 680 Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; 197 CLR 138 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19; (1952) 85 CLR 352 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 McMahon v John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd [2010] NSWCA 308 Nominal Defendant v Smith (1998) 28 MVR 165 Nowlan v Marson Transport Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 346; (2001) 53 NSWLR 116 Oztan v Nominal Defendant (1995) 23 MVRSC 59 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; 59 ALJR 492; 59 ALR 529 Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164 Richards v Cornford (No 3) [2010] NSWCA 134 Sophie Fegan by her tutor Inga Rozenauers v Lane Cove Council House Pty Ltd [2007] NSWCA 88 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133; (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Strinic v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15 Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 15 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Wallace Edward Meakes (Plaintiff) The Nominal Defendant (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr H Halligan (Plaintiff) Mr M Cleary (Defendant) Solicitors: Carneys (Plaintiff) Dibbs Barker (Defendant) File Number(s): 2009/338245