Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Haq [2016] NSWCA 93

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Haq [2016] NSWCA 93 Hearing dates: 8 March 2016 Decision date: 03 May 2016 Before: Basten JA at [1], Simpson JA at [59], Sackville AJA at [221] Decision: (1) Allow the appeal as to quantum in part and set aside the orders made in the District Court on 15 April 2015.

(2) In place thereof, give judgment for the plaintiff in an amount of $582,000, to date from 15 April 2015.

(3) Otherwise dismiss the appeal.

(4) Order that the appellant pay 75% of respondent's costs in this Court. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – personal injury – respondent injured when tripped on wires under desk – whether primary judge erred by failing to determine liability by reference to s 5B Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) – no reference to Civil Liability Act at trial by parties – no contested issues under Civil Liability Act – no error by primary judge in failing to address issues not presented for determination

TORTS – negligence – contributory negligence – whether primary judge erred in finding no contributory negligence – no basis established for overturning finding of primary judge

DAMAGES – assessment of damages – whether non-economic loss assessment excessive – whether past economic loss assessment excessive – whether future economic loss assessment excessive – whether award for past domestic assistance excessive – whether award for future domestic assistance excessive – whether award for future medical expenses excessive - damages reassessed for past economic loss, past domestic assistance, future domestic assistance and future medical expenses – appeal allowed as to quantum of damages Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5R, 13, 15, 15B, 16 District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 127 Motor Accident Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), s 126 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 75A Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 40, 42, 151Z Cases Cited: Amoud v Al Batat [2009] NSWCA 333; 54 MVR 167 Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna [1987] HCA 7; 162 CLR 479 Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 139 Coulton v Holcombe [1986] HCA 33; 162 CLR 1 Fox v Wood [1981] HCA 41; 148 CLR 438 Gordon v Truong [2014] NSWCA 97 Laresu Pty Ltd v Clark [2010] NSWCA 180 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638 Marsland v Andjelic (1993) 31 NSWLR 162 Metwally v University of Wollongong [1985] HCA 28; 60 ALR 68 Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353 Nominal Defendant v Lane [2004] NSWCA 405 Patrick Stevedores Operations (No 2) Pty Ltd v Hennessy; FBIS International Protective Services (Aust) Pty Ltd v Hennessy [2015] NSWCA 253 Rallis v Pang [2003] NSWCA 202 Sampco Pty Ltd v Wurth [2015] NSWCA 117 Suttor v Gundowda Pty Ltd [1950] HCA 35; 81 CLR 418 Transpacific Industrial Solutions Pty Ltd v Phelps [2013] NSWCA 31; 230 IR 438 Water Board v Moustakas [1988] HCA 12; 180 CLR 491 Woolworths Ltd v Ryder [2014] NSWCA 223, 87 NSWLR 593 Zorom Enterprises v Zabow (2007) 71 NSWLR 354; [2007] NSWCA 106 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (Appellant) Nur Haq (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: N Polin SC (Appellant) M Daley (Respondent)