Hornsby Shire Council v Viscardi [2015] NSWCA 417

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Hornsby Shire Council v Viscardi [2015] NSWCA 417 Hearing dates: 23 November 2015 Decision date: 22 December 2015 Before: Beazley P; Gleeson JA; Simpson JA Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – injury suffered after fall in car park – fall caused by depression in bitumen patch in pavement – whether appellant carried out the negligent restoration work on the bitumen patch

TORTS – negligence – causation – whether fall caused by negligent restoration work on bitumen patch – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 5D

APPEAL – whether trial judge erred in assessment of respondent's credit

DAMAGES – measure of damages in actions for tort – whether trial judge erred in assessment of severity of injury for purpose of non-economic loss

DAMAGES – measure of damages in actions for tort – domestic assistance – whether trial judge erred in assessment of past domestic assistance – evidence required to demonstrate past domestic assistance – future domestic assistance on a commercial basis – extent of evidence required to demonstrate need for commercial assistance where gratuitous assistance currently provided Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13; 83 NSWLR 302 Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Haleluka [2012] NSWCA 343 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Gordon v Truong; Truong v Gordon [2014] NSWCA 97 Holloway v McFeeters [1956] HCA 25; 94 CLR 470 House v The King [1936] HCA 40; 55 CLR 499 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19; 85 CLR 352 Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353 Mt Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; 125 CLR 383 Strong v Woolworths [2012] HCA 5; 246 CLR 182 White v Benjamin [2015] NSWCA 7 Zanner v Zanner [2010] NSWCA 343; 79 NSWLR 702 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Hornsby Shire Council (Appellant) Paul Viscardi (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R Gambi (Appellant) L King SC; H Halligan (Respondent)