Collins v Sydney Ports Corporation [2012] NSWSC 115

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Collins v Sydney Ports Corporation [2012] NSWSC 115 Hearing dates: 16-18 and 23-26 May, 20-21 June 2011 Decision date: 24 February 2012 Before: Harrison J Decision: Verdict for the plaintiff Catchwords: TORTS - negligence - work place injury - whether independent contractor exercised reasonable care in the performance of its work - whether employer in breach of non-delegable duty by reason of negligent act or omission of independent contractor - apportionment between tortfeasors - verdict for the plaintiff Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 Trade Practices Act 1974 Workers Compensation Act 1987 Cases Cited: Ali v Nationwide News Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 183 Amaca Pty Ltd v New South Wales [2003] HCA 44; (2003) Aust Torts Reports 81 Baghdadi v P & M Quality Smallgoods Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 566 Brown v Lewis [2006] NSWCA 87; (2006) 65 NSWLR 587 Davie v New Merton Board Mills Ltd [1959] AC 604 Drummond and Rosen Pty Ltd v Easey & Ors [2009] NSWCA 74 Haines v Bendall [1991] HCA15; (1991) 172 CLR 60 Kuhl v Zurich Financial Services Australia Ltd [2011] HCA 11; (2011) 243 CLR 361 McPherson's Ltd v Eaton & Ors [2005] NSWCA 435; (2005) 65 NSWLR 187 National Insurance Co of New Zealand v Espagne [1961] HCA 15; (1961) 105 CLR 569 Nelson v John Lysaght Pty Ltd [1975] HCA 9; (1975) 132 CLR 201 Nominal Defendant v Livaja [2011] NSWCA 121 Paric v John Holland Constructions Pty Ltd [1984] 2 NSWLR 505 Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; (1985) 59 ALJR 492 Redding v Lee; Evans v Muller [1983] HCA 16; (1983) 151 CLR 117 TNT Australia Pty Ltd v Christie [2003] NSWCA 47; (2003) 65 NSWLR 1 Voli v Inglewood Shire Council [1963] HCA 15; (1963) 110 CLR 74 Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer v Luke (by his tutor Luke) [2011] NSWCA 251 Zheng v Cai [2009] HCA 52; (2009) 239 CLR 466 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Philip Collins (Plaintiff) Sydney Ports Corporation (First Defendant) Australian Winch & Haulage Company Pty Ltd (Second Defendant) Representation: S G Campbell SC with P R Stockley (Plaintiff) A B Parker (First Defendant) M T McCulloch SC with S Maybury (Second Defendant) Higgins & Higgins (Plaintiff) Hicksons (First Defendant) HWL Ebsworth (Second Defendant) File Number(s): 2009/296483