State of New South Wales v Taylor [2017] NSWSC 1794

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: State of New South Wales v Taylor [2017] NSWSC 1794 Hearing dates: 29, 30 August, 2 September 2016, 27, 28 March 2017 Decision date: 21 December 2017 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: N Adams J Decision: (1) Judgment in favour of the cross-claimant against the cross-defendant in proceedings 2011/00402501 in relation to Stephen Smith in the sum of 50% of XXX (including costs), being XXX. (2) Judgment in favour of the cross-claimant in proceedings 2013/00038200 in relation to Jack Peterson in the sum of 50% of XXX (including costs), being XXX. (3) Judgment in favour of the cross-claimant in proceedings 2013/00066329 in relation to James Clarke in the sum of 50% of XXX (including costs), being XXX. (4) The cross-defendant is to pay the cross-claimant's costs as agreed or assessed. (5) The freezing order, most recently continued on 12 May 2017, is dissolved. Catchwords: TORTS – contribution between tortfeasors – where cross-claimant settled claims in negligence – cross-claims brought against cross-defendant seeking contribution or indemnity – whether cross-claimant liable in respect of damage – whether cross-defendant would have been liable in respect of same damage if sued – question of just and equitable apportionment Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B, 5B, 5C, 5D, 21 Employees Liability Act 1991 (NSW), ss 3, 5 Evidence Act 1995, ss 97, 97, 140, 165B Evidence (Audio Visual Links) Act 1998 (NSW) Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW), s 5 Law Reform (Vicarious Liability) Act 1983 (NSW), s 6 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), s 6A Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 28.5, 31.4 Cases Cited: Ballina Shire Council v Volk (1989) 18 NSWLR 1 Bitumen and Oil Refineries v Commissioner for Government Transport (1955) 92 CLR 200 Brambles Construction Pty Ltd v Helmers (1966) 114 CLR 213 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336; [1938] HCA 34 Croucher v Cachia [2016] NSWCA 132 Dillingham Constructions Pty Ltd v Steel Mains Pty Ltd (1975) 132 CLR 323 Geyer v Downs (1977) 138 CLR 91; [1977] HCA 64 Habib v Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 231 Husher v Husher (1999) 197 CLR 138 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Longman v The Queen (1989) 168 CLR 79 Mahony v J. Kruschich (Demolitions) Pty Ltd (1985) 156 CLR 522 March v E & MH Stramare (1991) 171 CLR 317; [1991] HCA 12 Marion's Case (1992) 175 CLR 218 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission (1995) 182 CLR 1 New South Wales v Lepore (2003) 212 CLR 511; [2003] HCA 4 Ramsay v Larsen (1964) 111 CLR 16; [1964] HCA 40 Stott v West Yorkshire Car Co [1971] 2 QB 651 Thompson v Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 574 Unity Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd v Rocco Pezzano Pty Ltd (1998) 192 CLR 603 Category: Principal judgment Parties: State of New South Wales (Cross-Claimant) Garry Taylor (Cross-Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Hutchings (Cross-Claimant) Mr P Glissan (until 14 March 2017) (Cross-Defendant) In person (on 27 March 2017) (Cross-Defendant)