Schultz v McCormack [2014] NSWDC 67

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Schultz v McCormack [2014] NSWDC 67 Hearing dates: 4, 5 and 17 June 2014 Decision date: 20 June 2014 Before: Levy SC DCJ Decision: 1.Verdict and judgment for the defendants; 2.The plaintiff is to pay the defendants' costs on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered; 3.The exhibits may be returned; 4.Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further orders are required. [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 - occupier's liability - plaintiff slipped and fell on wet edge of verandah stairs of domestic premises - rainwater on stairs - whether materialisation of an obvious risk - whether occupiers were negligent -whether contributory negligence; DAMAGES - assessment of claimed heads of damage Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5B, s 5F, s 5G, s 5H, s15, s16 District Court Act 1973, s 51(2) Evidence Act 1995, s 60 Cases Cited: Coles Supermarkets Australian Pty Ltd v Haleluka [2012] NSWCA 343 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Miller v Galdaresi [2009] NSWCA 353 Paul v Cooke [2013] NSWCA 15 Richards v Cornford [2010] NSWCA 99 Strinich v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] HCA 62; (2005) 223 CLR 422 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Sheran Ann Shultz (Plaintiff) Norman McCormack (First defendant) Cathryn McCormack (Second defendant) Representation: Mr A Lidden SC with Mr V Sciglitano (Plaintiff) Mr S Torrington (Defendants) Brydens (Plaintiff) Sparke Helmore (Defendants) File Number(s): 2012/208676 Publication restriction: None