Ratewave Pty Limited v BJ Illingby [2017] NSWCA 103

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Ratewave Pty Limited v BJ Illingby [2017] NSWCA 103 Hearing dates: 9 December 2016 Decision date: 19 May 2017 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1]; Meagher JA at [2]; Fagan J at [75] Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: TORT – negligence – occupier's liability – where respondent injured by tripping over corner of raised timber platform while walking across the lobby area of appellant occupier's hotel – where primary judge found respondent did not see raised platform due to "intense glare" in lobby area – whether primary judge erred in finding respondent affected by glare – whether absent finding as to glare, appellant breached duty as occupier by failing to warn of risk of tripping – whether that was an "obvious" one such that appellant did not owe any duty to warn (Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5F(1), 5H(1)) – whether respondent contributorily negligent – whether appellant's failure to warn of risk caused respondent's injuries Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5D, 5F, 5H Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak (2009) 239 CLR 420; [2009] HCA 48 Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd v Zaluzna (1987) 162 CLR 479 Glad Retail Cleaning Pty Ltd v Alvarenga (2013) 86 NSWLR 191; [2013] NSWCA 482 Hackshaw v Shaw (1984) 155 CLR 614 Jaber v Rockdale City Council [2008] NSWCA 98; (2008) ATR 81-952 Laoulach v Ibrahim [2011] NSWCA 402 Neindorf v Junkovic [2005] HCA 75; (2005) 80 ALJR 341 Phillis v Daly (1988) 15 NSWLR 65 Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 Ryde City Council v Smith [2003] NSWCA 57 Thompson v Woolworths (Q'land) Pty Limited (2005) 221 CLR 234; [2005] HCA 19 Woods v Multi-Sport Holdings Pty Ltd (2002) 208 CLR 460; [2002] HCA 9 Texts Cited: Australian Standard, Interior lighting (AS 1680.1-1990) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ratewave Pty Limited (Appellant) Bjorn J Illingby (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: RA Cavanagh SC with SJ Walsh (Appellant) AJ Stone SC with JB Masur (Respondent)