Bellingen Shire Council v Colavon Pty Limited [2012] NSWCA 34

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Bellingen Shire Council v Colavon Pty Limited [2012] NSWCA 34 Hearing dates: 20 February 2012 Decision date: 09 March 2012 Before: Beazley JA at [1]; Whealy JA at [61]; Sackville AJA at [62] Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: TORTS - negligence - duty of care - roads - failure to install guide posts - public or other authorities - special statutory power under Civil Liability Act 2002, s 43A TORTS - negligence - duty of care - roads - failure to install guide posts - identification of relevant risk - Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5B TORTS - negligence - duty of care - roads - failure to install guide posts - public or other authorities - whether Council exercising special statutory power under Roads Act 1993, s 87 CIVIL PROCEDURE - pleadings - whether statutory defence pleaded under Civil Liability Act 2002 - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 14.7 - material facts - necessity to plead CIVIL PROCEDURE - pleadings - failure to plead - ambush - fairness to opposing party - prejudice - Civil Procedure Act 2005, ss 14, 56, 59 and 60 CIVIL PROCEDURE - defence - matters that must be pleaded - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 14.14 Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Civil Procedure Act 2005 Evidence Act 1995 Legal Profession Act 2004 Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Act 1999 Roads Act 1993 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Cases Cited: Aon Risk Services Australia Limited v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27; 239 CLR 175 Baulderstone Hornibrook Engineering Pty Ltd v Gordian Runoff Ltd [2008] NSWCA 243 Bi v Mourad [2010] NSWCA 17 Colavon Pty Limited t/as Thormans Transport v Bellingen Shire Council [2008] NSWCA 355 Dennis v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2008] NSWCA 37 GSA Industries Pty Ltd v NT Gas Ltd (1990) 24 NSWLR 710 Halpin v Lumley General Insurance Ltd [2009] NSWCA 372; 78 NSWLR 265 Hans Pet Constructions Pty Ltd v Cassar [2009] NSWCA 230 Hughes v Lord Advocate [1963] UKHL 1; [1963] AC 837 Richards v Cornford (No 3) [2010] NSWCA 134 Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW v Refrigerated Roadways Pty Limited [2009] NSWCA 263; 77 NSWLR 360 Rosenberg v Percival [2001] HCA 18; 205 CLR 434 Sydney Water Corporation v Turano [2009] HCA 42; 239 CLR 51 Waverley Council v Ferreira [2005] NSWCA 418; Aust Torts Reports 81-818 Harmer v Hare [2011] NSWCA 229; 59 MVR 1 White v Overland [2001] FCA 1333 Texts Cited: Commonwealth of Australia, Treasury, Law of Negligence Review Panel, Review of the Law of Negligence Report (September 2002) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Bellingen Shire Council (Appellant) Colavon Pty Limited t/as Thormans Transport (Respondent) Representation: R Sheldon SC (Appellant) D Campbell SC; I McGillicuddy (Respondent) DLA Piper (Appellant) Fraser Clancy Lawyers (Respondent) File Number(s): CA 2005/295587 Decision under appeal Citation: Colavon Pty Limtied T/as Thormans Transport v Bellingen Shire Council Date of Decision: 2010-11-11 00:00:00 Before: McLoughlin DCJ File Number(s): DC 2005/295587