Maureen Townsend v Phillip O’Donnell [2016] NSWCA 288

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Maureen Townsend v Phillip O'Donnell [2016] NSWCA 288 Hearing dates: 6 October 2016 Decision date: 19 October 2016 Before: Beazley ACJ at [1] McColl JA at [2] Sackville AJA at [3] Decision: 1. Appeal dismissed 2. The appellant pay the respondent's costs of the appeal Catchwords: TORTS – contributory negligence – collision between motor vehicle leaving driveway and motorcycle driven by postman – breach of duty by driver of motor vehicle conceded – whether primary Judge erred in finding no contributory negligence – whether primary Judge erred in findings as to the motor vehicle's speed and the postman keeping a proper lookout DAMAGES – whether primary Judge erred in assessing damages for future economic loss – whether primary Judge applied the principles stated in Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20 Legislation Cited: Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) ss 81, 126, 138 Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) ss 3B(2),5B, 5R, 5S, 55 Cases Cited: Amoud v Al Batat [2009] NSWCA 333 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 Joslyn v Berryman (2003) 214 CLR 552; [2003] HCA 34 Lujans v Yarrabee Coal Company Pty Ltd [2008] HCA 51; 83 ALJR 34 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20 Manley v Alexander [2005] HCA 79; 80 ALJR 413 Mead v Kerney [2012] NSWCA 215 Nominal Defendant v Livaja [2011] NSWCA 121 O'Donnell v Townsend (Unrep, 17 December 2015, District Court) Tran v Nominal Defendant [2011] NSWCA 220; 58 MVR 462 Warren v Gittoes [2009] NSWCA 24 Williams v Commissioner for Road Transport and Tramways (New South Wales) (1933) 50 CLR 258; [1933] HCA 33 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Maureen Townsend (Appellant) Phillip O'Donnell (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R.R. Bartlett SC (Appellant) R. McIlwaine SC (Respondent) R.E. Quickenden