BestCare Foods Ltd & Anor v Origin Energy LPG Ltd (formerly Boral Gas (NSW) Pty Ltd) & Anor [2011] NSWSC 908

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: BestCare Foods Ltd & Anor v Origin Energy LPG Ltd (formerly Boral Gas (NSW) Pty Ltd) & Anor [2011] NSWSC 908 Hearing dates: 18 - 21.10.10, 25 - 28.10.10, 01 - 04.11.10, 08 - 11.11.10, 17 - 19.11.10, 22 - 25.11.10, 01.12.10, 06 - 09.12.10, 14 - 15.02.11, 18.02.11, 21 - 24.02.11, 28.02.11, 01 - 04.03.11, 10 - 11.03.11, 14 - 17.03.11 Decision date: 23 August 2011 Before: Nicholas J Decision: Par 332 Catchwords: TORTS - negligence - causation - expert evidence of cause of fire and explosion - whether defendants proved alternative theory refuting that advanced by plaintiffs - duty of care - whether defendants owed duty of care at common law and under statute - whether statutes imposed a duty to take specific precautions or measures for the safety of others - scope and content of duty - whether breach of duty established - TORTS - contributory negligence - whether plaintiffs failed to take precaution against risk of harm - whether claim for apportionment established - Civil Liability Act 2002 ss 5R-S - CONTRACT - construction and interpretation of contract - whether terms implied in the contract requiring the provision, inspection and maintenance of a gas installation to ensure its safe operation - whether exclusion clauses apply - whether breaches of contract established Legislation Cited: Trade Practices Act 1975 (Cth) Civil Liability Act 2002 Evidence Act 1995 Dangerous Goods Regulation 1978 Dangerous Goods (Gas Installations) Regulations 1982 Dangerous Goods (Gas Installation) Regulation 1998 Dangerous Goods (General) Regulation 1999 Occupation Health & Safety Regulations 2001 Cases Cited: Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd [1995] HCA 24; (1995) 185 CLR 410 Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd v The Dredge "Willemstad" (1976) 136 CLR 529 Caltex Refineries (QLD) Pty Limited v Stavar [2009] NSWCA 258; (2009) 75 NSWLR 649 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW [1982] HCA 49; (1982) 149 CLR 337 Council of the City of Greater Taree v Wells [2010] NSWCA 147 Customs and Excise Commissioners v A [2003] 2 All ER 736 Darlington Futures Ltd v Delco Australia Pty Ltd [1986] HCA 82; (1986) 161 CLR 500 Digi-Tech (Australia) Ltd v Brand [2004] NSWCA 58 Gemmell Power Farming Co Ltd v Nies (1935) 35 SR(NSW) 469 Hill v Van Erp [1997] HCA 9; (1997) 188 CLR 159 John Pfeiffer Pty Ltd v Canny [1981] HCA 52; (1981) 148 CLR 281 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles [2001] NSWCA 305; (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 McCann v Switzerland Insurance Australia Ltd [2000] HCA 65; (2000) 203 CLR 579 McDonald t/as BE McDonald Transport v Girkaid Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 297 O'Connor v S P Bray Ltd [1937] HCA 18; (1937) 56 CLR 464 Podreberserk v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985 HCA] 34; (1985) 59 ALR 529 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; (1998) 194 CLR 355 Seltsam Pty Ltd v McGuinness [2000] NSWCA 29; (2000) NSWLR 262 Sibley v Kais (1967) 118 CLR 424 Weal v Bottom (1966-1967) 40 ALJR 436 Wilkie v Gordian Runoff Ltd [2005] HCA 17; (2005) 221 CLR 522 Category: Principal judgment Parties: BestCare Foods Ltd - first plaintiff BestCare Foods (Sales) Pty Ltd - second plaintiff Origin Energy LPG Ltd (formerly Boral Gas (NSW) Pty Ltd) - first defendant Origin Energy Retail Ltd - second defendant Representation: Counsel: M L Williams SC/D S Weinberger/S A Lawrance - plaintiffs J N Gleeson QC/B G Smith/R D Glover - defendants Solicitors: McCabe Terrill Lawyers - plaintiffs HWL Ebsworth Lawyers - defendants File Number(s): 05/270917