Robinson v Vogelsang (No 2) [2015] NSWSC 1942

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Robinson v Vogelsang (No 2) [2015] NSWSC 1942 Hearing dates: 2 to 6 November 2015; 9 and 11 November 2015 Date of orders: 18 December 2015 Decision date: 18 December 2015 Before: Beech-Jones J Decision: 1. Judgment for the first and second defendants against the plaintiff. 2. All cross claims dismissed. 3. The proposed further amended statement of claim annexed to the affidavit of John Andriano sworn 29 October 2015 to stand as the Further Amended Statement of Claim. 4. The parties confer in relation to the appropriate costs orders; and 5. The proceedings be listed for directions on Monday, 8 February 2016 at 9.30am. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE – plaintiff seriously injured when bucked off horse – plaintiff rendered tetraplegic - plaintiff riding horse on first defendant's rural property in South Australia – no claim pressed against first defendant – second defendant owned horse – plaintiff staying as a guest on property – whether horse had propensity to buck or "pig-root" – whether second defendant falsely assured plaintiff that horse was a "gentleman" – whether paddock for horse riding was unsuitable for horse riding – whether second defendant encouraged plaintiff to loosen reins of horse too much – whether second defendant negligent in using "western style" saddle with one girth strap – whether alleged failings causative of accident – proceedings governed by Civil Liability Act 1936 (SA) – whether section 18 excludes operation of Part 6 and Part 7 in the case of personal injury caused by animals – identifying risk of harm.

CROSS CLAIM – claim for indemnity by second defendant against insurer of first defendant – first defendant did not take out contents insurance which restricted scope of liability insurance – no indemnity for claim – dealings between first defendant and insurance agent acting on behalf of insurer – whether first defendant placed trust and confidence in cross defendant agent or merely instructed him to obtain minimal insurance necessary to satisfy financier – whether insurer estopped from denying indemnity because of actions of agent – whether insurance agent engaged in misleading conduct – whether first defendant would have sought further insurance if advised as alleged. Legislation Cited: - Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth) - s12DA, s 12GF - Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) - Part 1A - Civil Liability Act 1936 (SA) – s 3, s 4, s18, s 31, s 32, s 34, s 35 - Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) - s 1041H, s 1041I - Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) - s 64(3), s 135 - Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth) - s 37, s 48 - Law Reform (Ipp Recommendations) Act 2004 (SA) - Wrongs Act 1936 (SA) Cases Cited: - Briginshaw v Briginshaw [1938] HCA 34; 60 CLR 336 - Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 - Commissioner of Stamps (SA) v Telegraph Investment Co Pty Ltd [1995] HCA 44; 184 CLR 453 - El Hayek v Vasic [2010] NSWSC 634 - Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; 214 CLR 118 - Hawkins v Clayton [1988] HCA 15; 164 CLR 539 - John Pfeiffer Pty Ltd v Rogerson [2000] HCA 36; 203 CLR 503 - Karl Suleman Enterprizes Pty Ltd (in liquidation) v Pham [2013] NSWSC 110 - Le Poidevin Industries Pty Ltd v Roberts (1990) 11 MVR 570 - R v Birks (1990) 19 NSWLR 677 - Rian Lane v Dive Two Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 104 - Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer [2007] HCA 42; 234 CLR 330 - Robinson v Vogelsang (No 1) [2015] NSWSC 1670 - Searle v Wallbank [1947] AC 341 - Sidhu v Van Dyke [2014] HCA 19; 251 CLR 505 - State Government Insurance Commission (SA) v Trigwell [1979] HCA 40; 142 CLR 617 - Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Miller; Miller v Lithgow City Council [2015] NSWCA 320 - Wallace v Kam [2013] HCA 19; 250 CLR 375 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Fiona Robinson – Plaintiff Peter Rex Vogelsang – First Defendant/First Cross Claimant Catherine Martin – Second Defendant/Second Cross Claimant Allianz Australia Insurance Limited – Third Defendant/Cross Defendant to First Cross Claim Ronald Haeusler – Cross Defendant to Second Cross Claim Representation: Counsel: M. Cranitch SC, D. Bertini, T. Hickey – Plaintiff C. Martin (in person on 2 November 2015; M. Lawson thereafter) – Defendants R. Cavanagh SC – First Cross Defendant K.P. Rewell SC – Second Cross Defendant