Wearing-Smith v Swift [2014] NSWDC 159

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Wearing-Smith v Swift [2014] NSWDC 159 Hearing dates: 11, 12, 13 & 14/08/2014 Decision date: 09 October 2014 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Levy SC DCJ Decision: 1.Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $425,000; 2.The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's 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. Catchwords: TORTS - occupier's liability - plaintiff fell off balcony in domestic premises when glass panel of balustrade gave way - whether breach of duty of care - whether contributory negligence Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5B, s 5D, s 5E Cases Cited: Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst [1940] HCA 45; (1940) 64 CLR 538 Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna [1987] HCA 7; (1987) 162 CLR 479 Baker v Gilbert & Ors [2003] NSWCA 113 Derrick v Cheung [2001] HCA 48, (2001) 181 ALR 301 Hevi Lift (PNG) Ltd v Etherington [2005] NSWCA 42 McDonald v Robert Bryce & Co Ltd [2004] NSWCA 297 MA Partitioning & Ceilings Pty Ltd v Kezic [2005] NSWCA 414 Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) v Dederer [2007] HCA 42; (2007) 234 CLR 330 Sea Coatings (Australia) Pty Ltd v Pascoe [2008] NSWCA 54 Shaw v Thomas [2010] NSWCA 169 Short v Barrett, NSWCA 164, 5 October 1990, unreported Strong v Woolworths Ltd [2012] HCA 5; (2012) 246 CLR 182 Thomas v Foreshore Marine Exhaust Systems Pty Limited [2005] NSWCA 451 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] HCA 62; (2005) 223 CLR 442 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Peter Wearing-Smith (Plaintiff) Anthony John Swift (First defendant) Kim Louise Swift (Second defendant) Representation: Mr B Hughes SC with Mr T Meakes (Plaintiff) Mr JM Morris with Ms EN Arulrajah (Defendant) Gorman Jones (Plaintiff) Moray & Agnew (Defendant) File Number(s): 2013/121518 Publication restriction: None