Knibbs v Sheteh, Sheteh, George Koolbanis t/as Lancelot Plumbing & Vlahos; George Koolbanis t/as Lancelot Plumbing v Vlahos [2017] NSWDC 119

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Knibbs v Sheteh, Sheteh, George Koolbanis t/as Lancelot Plumbing & Vlahos; George Koolbanis t/as Lancelot Plumbing v Vlahos [2017] NSWDC 119 Hearing dates: 5, 6, 7 and 10 April 2017 Date of orders: 25 May 2017 Decision date: 25 May 2017 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Wilson SC DCJ Decision: 1. Verdict for the first and second defendants against the plaintiff; 2. Plaintiff to pay the costs of the first and second defendants; 3. Verdict for the third defendant against the plaintiff; 4. Plaintiff to pay the costs of the third defendant; 5. Verdict for the fourth defendant against the plaintiff; 6. Plaintiff to pay the costs of the fourth defendant; 7. The First Cross Claim is dismissed with no order as to costs; 8. The Second Cross Claim is dismissed with no order as to costs; 9. Liberty to apply within 7 days to vary any costs orders; 10. Exhibits retained by the Court for 28 days. Catchwords: PUBLIC LIABIILTY – slip and fall on leased residential premises - liability of absentee landlord - content of duty of care – whether duty non-delegable LIABILITY OF CONTRACTOR – relationship between contractor and sub-contractor – indicia of employment absent CREDIBILITY – reliability of witnesses JONES v DUNKEL – failure to call or explain absence of witnesses EVIDENCE – use of photographs – business records Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002; ss5B(2)(a)-(d), 5C, 5D, 5F, 5R(1), 5S and 15(2)(a)-(c),(3) and 16. Cases Cited: ACE Insurance Ltd v Trifunovski [2011] FCA 1204; (2011) 200 FCR 532 Ahluwalia v Robinson [2003] NSWCA 175 Bellavista Pty Limited v Liberty International Insurance Company [2009] NSWCA 16 at [53] Blacktown City Council v Hocking [2008] NSWCA 144 [170-[172] Brodie v Singleton Shire Council; Ghantous v Hawkesbury City Council [2001] HCA 29, 206 CLR 512 at [163] Burnie Port Authority v General Jones (1984) 179 CLR 520 Cavalier v Pope [1906] AC 428 Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited v Producers & Citizens Co-Operative Assurance Company of Australia Limited [1931] HCA 3; (1931) 46 CLR 41 Council of the City of Sydney v Hunter [2014] NSWCA 449 Fair Work Ombudsman v Ecosway Pty Limited [2016] FCA 296 Hollis v Vabu Pty Limited [2001] HCA 44; (2001) 207 CLR 21 Jones v Bartlett [2000] HCA 56; 205 CLR 166 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Mamo v Surace [2014] NSWCA 58 Marshall v Whittaker's Building Co (1963) 109 CLR 210 Northern Sandblasting Pty Ltd v Harris [1997] HCA 39; 188 CLR 313 Podrebersek v Australian Iron and Steel Pty Limited [1985] HCA 34 at [10] Sakoua v Williams [2005] NSWCA 405; 64 NSWLR 588 Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Company Pty Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 16 Texts Cited: Wigmore on Evidence (3rd Edition (1940) Vol 2 ss289,290) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Clinton Knibbs (Plaintiff) Samir Sheteh (1st Defendant) Samia Sheteh (2nd Defendant) George Koolbanis t/as Lancelot Plumbing (3rd Defendant) Nick Vlahos (4th Defendant) Representation: Counsel: J Reimer (Plaintiff) D Talintyre (1st and 2nd Defendants) R Perla (3rd Defendant) A Kostopoulos (4th Defendant)