Wong v Maroubra Automotive Refinishers Pty Ltd; Ayres v Maroubra Automotive Refinishers Pty Ltd [2015] NSWSC 222

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Wong v Maroubra Automotive Refinishers Pty Ltd; Ayres v Maroubra Automotive Refinishers Pty Ltd [2015] NSWSC 222 Hearing dates: 9 March 2015; 10 March 2015 Date of orders: 16 March 2015 Decision date: 16 March 2015 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: McCallum J Decision: That judgment be entered for the plaintiff in an amount to be calculated in accordance with these reasons. That the defendant's cross claim be dismissed. That the amounts paid into court pursuant to the orders of 2 April 2015 be released to the plaintiff. Catchwords: TORTS – detinue – where plaintiffs' cars towed to defendant repairer's premises following motor vehicle accident – whether repairer can exercise lien over cars or otherwise withhold them pending payment of towing and storage fees claimed by repairer – assessment of damages in detinue Legislation Cited: Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW), s 53 Tow Truck Industry Act 1998 (NSW), s 62 Tow Truck Industry Regulation 2008 (NSW) Cases Cited: Anthanasopoulos v Moseley [2001] NSWCA 266; 52 NSWLR 262 Grant v YYH Holdings Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 360 Griffiths v Kerkemeyer (1977) 139 CLR 161 Holier v Rambler Motors (AMC) Limited [1972] 2 QB 71 Nibili v Sweeting & Denny (WA) Pty Ltd (1989) Aust Torts Rep 80-258 Stapley v Towing Masters Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 382 Stapley v Towing Masters Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 139 Wong v Maroubra Automotive Refinishers Pty Ltd; Ayres v Maroubra Automotive Refinishers Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1548 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Wong Proceedings: Sharon Wong (Plaintiff/First Cross-Defendant) Maroubra Automotive Refinishers Pty Ltd (Defendant/Cross-Claimant) Insurance Australia Ltd t/as NRMA Insurance (Second Cross-Defendant)