Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Limited v Principle International Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCA 216

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Limited v Principle International Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCA 216 Hearing dates: 16 May 2017 Decision date: 30 August 2017 Before: Beazley P at [1]; Meagher JA at [121]; Payne JA at [143] Decision: 1. Grant leave to appeal;

2. Appeal allowed in part;

3. Grant leave to cross-appeal;

4. Cross-appeal allowed in part;

5. Set aside judgment entered in favour of the respondents in the sum of $43,296 and in its place enter judgment for the respondents, with effect from 30 September 2016, in the amount of $14,432, together with interest in accordance with the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 100 and 101;

6. The respondents to the appeal to pay the appellant's costs in this Court. Catchwords: AVIATION – carriage by air – carriers' liability – Arts 18(1), 18(2) and 20 of 1999 Montreal Convention relating to International Carriage by Air – meaning of "event" in Art 18(1) – whether "event" must be something unusual or unexpected – meaning of "defective packing" in Art 18(2) – apportionment of liability under Art 20 Legislation Cited: 1999 Montreal Convention relating to International Carriage by Air, Arts 17, 18, 20 Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (Standards) Order 2005 Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 (Cth), s 17 Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (Version 2.3) 2011 Civil Aviation (Carriers' Liability) Act 1959 (Cth), s 9H Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 100 Export Control (Animals) Order 2004 (Cth), s 2.52(2) Export Control (Orders) Regulations 1982 (Cth), r 3 Export Control Act 1982 (Cth) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 101 Cases Cited: Air France v Saks US 392 (1985) Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Inc v Farrell [2016] NSWCA 256 Axa Reinsurance (UK) plc v Field [1996] 1 WLR 1026 Bushby v Dixon Holmes du Pont Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 90 Carolan v AMF Bowling Pty Ltd t/as Bennetts Green Bowl [1995] NSWCA 69 Collier v Lancer (No 2) [2013] NSWCA 186 HP Mercantile Pty Ltd v Clements [2015] NSWCA 212 In re Deep Vein Thrombosis and Air Travel Litigation [2003] EWCA Civ 1005; [2004] QB 234 Lee v New South Wales Crime Commission [2012] NSWCA 262 Olympic Airways v Husain 540 US 644 (2004) Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALJR 492; [1985] HCA 34 Povey v Qantas Airways Ltd (2005) 223 CLR 189; [2005] HCA 33 Rodi v Gelonesi [2012] NSWCA 424 The Entrance Plaza Pty Ltd v Davids [2016] NSWCA 362 Winchester Fruit Ltd v American Airlines Inc [2002] 2 Lloyd's Rep 265 Texts Cited: Hogan and Willis, "Best practice design of crates for livestock by air" (2009) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd (Appellant) Principle International Pty Ltd (First Respondent) Xin Mao Imp & Exp Co Ltd (Second Respondent) Longjiang Wellbright Foods Co Ltd (Third Respondent) Representation: Counsel: N J Owens SC (Appellant and Cross-Respondent) D Klineberg (Respondents and Cross-Appellants)