Mikaera v Newman Transport Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 464

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Mikaera v Newman Transport Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 464 Decision date: 20 December 2013 Before: McColl JA at [1], Basten JA at [49], Macfarlan JA at [54] 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 - contributory negligence - where appellant injured when his truck collided with respondents' illegally parked truck - where primary judge found respondents negligent but reduced damages for appellant's contributory negligence - whether error in fact-finding process underpinned finding of contributory negligence - whether primary judge erred in apportionment of liability by failing to compare relative culpability of parties Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 Supreme Court Act 1970 Cases Cited: Council of the City of Greater Taree v Wells [2010] NSWCA 147; (2010) 174 LGERA 208 Ghunaim v Bart [2004] NSWCA 28; (2004) Aust Torts Reports ¶81-731 Joslyn v Berryman [2003] HCA 34; (2003) 214 CLR 552 Nominal Defendant v Green [2013] NSWCA 219; (2013) 64 MVR 354 Nominal Defendant v Meakes [2012] NSWCA 66; (2012) 60 MVR 380 Origin Energy LPG Ltd v BestCare Foods Ltd [2012] NSWCA 407 Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; (1985) 59 ALJR 492 Pollard v RRR Corporation Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 110 Smith v Zhang [2012] NSWCA 142; (2012) 60 MVR 525 Texts Cited: New South Wales Barristers' Rules Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ashley Dion Mikaera - Appellant Newman Transport Pty Ltd - First Respondent John Arthur Collins - Second Respondent Representation: Counsel: Mr P E Blacket SC with Mr B G McManamey - Appellant Mr S E Torrington - Respondents Solicitors: Turner Freeman - Appellant Curwoods Lawyers - Respondents File Number(s): 2013/7555 Decision under appeal Jurisdiction: 9101 Date of Decision: 2012-12-14 00:00:00 Before: Balla DCJ File Number(s): 2010/261427