Sutherland Shire Council v Major [2015] NSWCA 243

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Sutherland Shire Council v Major [2015] NSWCA 243 Hearing dates: 16 July 2015 Date of orders: 20 August 2015 Decision date: 20 August 2015 Before: McColl JA at [1]; Emmett JA at [2]; Sackville JA at [68] Decision: 1 Appeal be allowed.

2 Orders entered by the District Court on 15 July 2014, except as to costs, be set aside, and in lieu thereof, there be verdict and judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $136,419.

3 Orders for costs made by the District Court stand.

4 The respondent pay 75% of the appellant's costs of the appeal.

5 If otherwise entitled, the respondent have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW). Catchwords: DAMAGES – personal injury – non-economic loss – whether the primary judge made a wholly erroneous estimate of the damages suffered – use of earlier decisions of courts for the purpose of establishing an appropriate award – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 17A

DAMAGES – personal injury – past and future economic loss – use of buffer – whether the primary judge made a wholly erroneous estimate of the damages suffered

DAMAGES – personal injury – paid domestic assistance – whether the evidence established the likelihood of a future need for domestic assistance Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3, 13, 16, 17A Cases Cited: Allard v Jones Lang LaSalle (Vic) Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 325 Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13; 83 NSWLR 302 Cockburn v The Trust Company Ltd (No 2) [2014] NSWDC 119 Dell v Dalton (1991) 23 NSWLR 528 Husher v Husher [1999] HCA 47; 197 CLR 138 Jackson v Mazzafero [2012] NSWCA 170 Khan v Polyzois [2006] NSWCA 59 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd [1990] HCA 20; 169 CLR 638 Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353 Pollard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Engineering Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 99 Precision Plastics Pty Ltd v Demir [1975] HCA 27; 132 CLR 362 State of New South Wales v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133; 54 NSWLR 536 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Sutherland Shire Council (Appellant) Bradley Major (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R Sheldon SC with N Hogan (Appellant) R Cavanagh SC with B Tzatzagos (Respondent)