Safar v Sutherland Shire Council [2016] NSWDC 232

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Safar v Sutherland Shire Council [2016] NSWDC 232 Hearing dates: 20, 21, 22, 23 October; 10 December 2015; 21 & 22 January 2016 Date of orders: 28 September 2016 Decision date: 28 September 2016 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Judge Levy SC Decision: 1. Verdict for the plaintiff in the assessed sum of $376,035.75; 2. After applying the finding of 20 per cent contributory negligence to the assessed damages, judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $300,828.60; 3. The exhibits may be returned; 4. The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings on the ordinary basis unless a party is able to show an entitlement to an order for costs on some other basis; 5. Liberty to apply on 7 days' notice if further or other orders are required. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – occupiers' liability – whether owner occupier of hall hired as a venue for a dance eisteddfod is liable in negligence for plaintiff's slip and fall on wet parquetry floor at interval – whether obvious risk – whether contributory negligence on plaintiff's part; DAMAGES – assessment of claimed heads of damage Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5B, s 5C, s 5F, s 5G, s 5H, s 5R, s 5S, Evidence Act 1995, s 60 Cases Cited: Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v Kerr [2012] NSWCA 13 Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna [1987] HCA 7; (1987) 162 CLR 479 ANZ Banking Group Ltd v Haq [2016] NSWCA 93 Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Limited v Haleluka [2012] NSWCA 343 Collins v Clarence Valley Council [2015] NSWCA 63 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Glad Retail Cleaning Pty Ltd v Alvarenga [2013] NSWCA 482 Graham v Baker [1961] HCA 48; (1961) 106 CLR 340 Jackson v McDonalds Australia Ltd [2014] NSWCA 162 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd [1990] HCA 20; (1990) 169 CLR 638 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1 Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353 Modbury Triangle Shopping Centre Pty Ltd v Anzil [2000] HCA 61; 205 CLR 254 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; 59 ALJR 492 Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) v Dederer [2007] HCA 42; (2007) 234 CLR 330 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council [2005] HCA 62; (2005) 223 CLR 442 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Christina Safar (Plaintiff) Sutherland Shire Council (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr H Marshall SC (Plaintiff) Mr R Gambi (Defendant)