Drew v State of New South Wales [2015] NSWCA 159

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Drew v State of New South Wales [2015] NSWCA 159 Hearing dates: 2 June 2015 Decision date: 11 June 2015 Before: McColl JA; Ward JA; Leeming JA Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE - cleaner slipped and fell on box in school classroom - neither employer nor State found to be liable for breach of duty - whether denial of procedural fairness - whether insufficient reasons - whether employer knew or ought to have known of box in classroom - whether a reasonable person would take precautions in relation to an obvious hazard - appeal dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B-5E District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 127 Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) Cases Cited: Ashrafi Persian Trading Co Pty Ltd v Ashrafinia [2001] NSWCA 243; (2002) Aust Torts Reports 81-636 Concrete Pty Ltd v Parramatta Design & Developments Pty Ltd [2006] HCA 55; 229 CLR 577 Gaskin v Ollerenshaw [2012] NSWCA 33 Jaenke v Hinton [1995] QCA 484; (1995) Aust Torts Reports 81-368 Neindorf v Junkovic [2005] HCA 75; 80 ALJR 341 O'Connor v Commissioner for Government Transport [1954] HCA 11; 100 CLR 225 Phillis v Daly (1988) 15 NSWLR 65 Re Henry; JL v Secretary, Department of Family and Community Services [2015] NSWCA 89 Sexton v Homer [2013] NSWCA 414 Sibraa v Brown [2012] NSWCA 328 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Carol Ann Drew (Appellant) State of New South Wales (First Respondent) Menzies Property Services Pty Ltd (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R G Gambi (Appellant) J E Sexton SC with C Purdy (First Respondent) D Priestley (Second Respondent)