Sexton v Homer [2013] NSWCA 414

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Sexton v Homer [2013] NSWCA 414 Hearing dates: 26 July 2013 Decision date: 05 December 2013 Before: Basten JA; Leeming JA; Garling J Decision: (1) Allow the appeal and set aside the orders made in the District Court. (2) Direct that there be a new trial of the plaintiff's claim. (3) Direct that the costs of the first trial be in the discretion of the judge presiding at the new trial. (4) Order that the respondent pay the appellant's costs of the appeal. (5) Grant the respondent a certificate under Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW). [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: APPEAL - challenge to findings of fact - challenge to contingent finding of contributory negligence - retrial required

EVIDENCE - client legal privilege - whether statement of defendant obtained by investigator for use by insurer is privileged - whether trial judge correctly assessed dominant purpose of statement - whether document a confidential communication - Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 117, 118

NEGLIGENCE - motorcycle accident - damages agreed - whether question of liability was correctly determined - trial judge reasons do not record process of resolving disputed facts - erroneous fact-finding process Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 138 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), ss 117-119 Cases Cited: Coote v Kelly [2013] NSWCA 357 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; 214 CLR 118 Gaskin v Ollerenshaw [2012] NSWCA 33 Keith v Gal [2013] NSWCA 339 Mitchell v Cullingral Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 389 MM Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Port Stephens Council [2012] NSWCA 417 Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALJR 492 Pollard v RRR Corporation Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 110 Waterways Authority v Fitzgibbon [2005] HCA 57; 79 ALJR 1816 Whalan v Kogarah Municipal Council [2007] NSWCA 5 Zanner v Zanner [2010] NSWCA 343; 79 NSWLR 702 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Callum Sexton (Appellant) Martin David Home (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: