Idameneo (No 123) Pty Ltd v Dr Colin Gross [2012] NSWCA 423

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Idameneo (No 123) Pty Ltd v Dr Colin Gross [2012] NSWCA 423 Hearing dates: 26 October 2012 Decision date: 14 December 2012 Before: McColl JA at [1] Hoeben JA at [2] and [184] Ward JA at [183] Decision: (1) The appeal is dismissed. (2) The cross-appeal is allowed. (3) The orders made by Latham J, dated 17 October 2011, are set aside. (4) In lieu thereof, the following orders are made: (a) Judgment for the first cross-claimants (Dr Johnson and Dr Gross) against the first cross-defendant (Idameneo (No 123) Pty Ltd) on the amended first cross-claim in the sum of $377,000. (b) The first cross-defendant to pay pre-judgment interest to be calculated pursuant to s 100 of the Civil Procedure Act 2002 on the judgment sum. (c) Judgment for the second cross-defendants (Dr Johnson and Dr Gross) against the second cross-claimant (Idameneo (No 123) Pty Ltd) on the amended second cross-claim. 5. The appellant (Idameneo No 123) pay the cross appellants' (Dr Gross and Dr Johnson's) costs of the trial on an ordinary basis up to 14 January 2010 and thereafter on an indemnity basis. 6. The appellant (Idameneo No 123) pay the cross appellants' (Dr Gross and Dr Johnson's) costs of the appeal on an ordinary basis. [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 - transmission of disease to partner by patient of medical centre - successful action by partner against doctors at medical centre - cross-claims in contract and tort by doctors against operator of medical centre - content of duty of care owed by medical centre to partner of patient - nature of breach of duty by doctors - causation - failure by medical centre to maintain accurate patient records - causation - apportionment of responsibility between doctors and medical centre - contract - service agreements between medical centre and doctors - meaning of indemnity clauses in service agreements - whether breach of service agreements by medical centre and doctors - consequences of breach - circuity of action - whether principle of equitable contribution applies - measure of damages recoverable by doctors. Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) - s 5D(1) Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 - s 5 Medical Practice Act 1992 (NSW) Public Health Act 1991 (NSW) Cases Cited: Accident Compensation Commission v Baltica General Insurance Co Ltd [1993] 1 VR 467 Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak; Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Bou Najem [2009] HCA 48; 239 CLR 420 Andar Transport Pty Ltd v Brambles Ltd [2004] HCA 28; 217 CLR 424 Astley & Ors v Austrust Ltd [1999] HCA 6; 197 CLR 1 Austral Pacific Group Ltd (in liq) v Airservices Australia (2002) 203 CLR 136 Belan v Casey (2003) 57 NSWLR 670 Bitumen & Oil Refineries (Australia) Ltd v Commissioner for Government Transport [1955] HCA 1; 92 CLR 200 BT v Oei [1999] NSWSC 1082 Burke v LFOT Pty Ltd [2002] HCA 17; 209 CLR 282 Caltex Refineries (Qld) Pty Ltd v Stavar & Ors [2009] NSWCA 258; 75 NSWLR 649 Climax Management v Scansash [2002] NSWCA 167 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v SRA of NSW [1982] HCA 24; 149 CLR 337 at 347 C S v Anna BIEDRZYCKA [2011] NSWSC 1213 Florida Hotels Pty Ltd v Mayo [1965] HCA 26; 113 CLR 588 House v R [1936] HCA 40; 55 CLR 499 James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Roberts [1999] NSWCA 314; 47 NSWLR 425 James Hardie & Co Pty Ltd v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 53 Jones v Mortgage Acceptance Nominees Ltd (1996) 63 FCR 418 Laresu Pty Ltd v Clark [2010] NSWCA 108 McCamley v Harris (1997) 8 BPR 15,683 Merryweather v Nixan (1799) 8 TR 186; 101 ER 1337 Oxley County Council v MacDonald [1999] NSWCA 126 Perre v Apand Pty Ltd [1999] HCA 36; 198 CLR 180 Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; 59 ALJR 492 Redken Laboratories (Australia) Pty Ltd v Docker [2000] NSWCA 100 Rolls Royce Industrial Power (Pacific) Ltd (formerly John Thompson (Australia) Pty Ltd) v James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd; James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v The State of New South Wales; James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Rolls Royce Industrial Power (Pacific) Ltd (formerly John Thompson (Australia) Pty Ltd) [2001] NSWCA 461; 53 NSWLR 626 Royston v McCallum [2006] QFC 193 Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5; 86 ALJR 267 The Nominal Defendant v Gabriel & Anor [2007] NSWCA 52; 71 NSWLR 150 Wynbergen v Hoyts Corporation Pty Ltd [1997] 72 ALJR 65 Texts Cited: Shirley's Selection of Leading Cases of the Common Law (5th ed, 1896, R Watson (ed)) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Idameneo (No 123) Pty Ltd t/as Bondi Junction Medical and Dental Centre - Appellant/Cross Respondent Dr Colin Gross - First Respondent/Cross Appellant Dr Harry Johnson - Second Respondent/Cross Appellant Representation: Counsel: Mr GM Watson SC/ Mr NE Chen - Appellant/Cross Respondents Mr AJ Sullivan QC/Ms J Lonergan SC - Respondents/Cross Appellants Solicitors: HWL Ebsworth - Appellant/Cross Respondents Avant Law Pty Ltd - Respondents/Cross Appellants File Number(s): 2012/17580 Decision under appeal Citation: [2011] NSWSC 1213 Date of Decision: 2011-10-17 00:00:00 Before: Latham J File Number(s): 2007/264861