Webb v Edwards [2018] NSWDC 67

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Webb v Edwards [2018] NSWDC 67 Hearing dates: 29, 30, 31 January; 1, 2, 5, 6 February 2018 Date of orders: 28 March 2018 Decision date: 28 March 2018 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Judge Levy SC Decision: 1. Verdict for the plaintiff in the assessed amount of $2,076,707.88;

2. After applying the agreed apportionment of 20 per cent on account of the plaintiff's contributory negligence, judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $1,661,366.20;

3. The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs on the ordinary basis unless otherwise ordered;

4. The exhibits may be returned;

5. Liberty to apply on 7 days' notice if further or other orders are required. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – personal injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident – liability issues agreed; EVIDENCE – assessment of credibility and reliability of testimony; EXPERT EVIDENCE – limited utility of expert evidence to attack credit of plaintiff – aspects of expert evidence not compliant with UCPR r 31.27(1)(c) and the Expert Witness Code of Conduct: Sch 7 cl 5(1)(c); DAMAGES – assessment of claimed heads of damage Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5D Civil Procedure Act 2005, Sch 7 Evidence Act 1995, s 60, s 135 Motor Accidents Act 1988, s 79A Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, s 126, s 131, s 136 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 31.27, r 31.23 Workers Compensation Act 1987, s 151L Cases Cited: Adelaide Stevedoring Co Ltd v Forst [1940] HCA 45; (1940) 64 CLR 538 Aon Risk Services Australia Limited v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27 Associated Motor Insurers Ltd v Motor Accidents Authority of NSW [2010] NSWSC 833 Barak Pty Ltd v WTH Pty Limited Trading as Avis Australia, Barrett J, Supreme Court of NSW, unreported, 22 July 2002 Brown v Lewis [2006] NSWCA 87 Briginshaw v Briginshaw [1938] HCA 34; (1938) 60 CLR 336 Burnicle v Cutelli [1982] 2 NSWLR 26 Ceva Logistics (Australia) Pty Ltd v Redbro Investments Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 46 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Cupac v Cannone [2015] NSWCA 114 Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar [2011] HCA 21; (2011) 243 CLR 588 Daw v Toyworld (NSW) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 25 Environment Protection Authority v Bowport All Roads Transport Pty Limited [2009] NSWLEC 103 Fox v Wood [1981] HCA 41; (1981) 148 CLR 438 Graham v Baker [1961] HCA 48; (1961) 106 CLR 340 Glen v Sullivan [2015] NSWCA 191 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Luxton v Vines [1952] HCA 19; (1952) 85 CLR 352 Majkic v Bonnano [2008] NSWCA 253 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles [2001] NSWCA 305; (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 Manly Municipal Council v Skene [2002] NSWCA 385 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1 Mt Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; (1970) 125 CLR 383 Norrie v NSW Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages [2013] NSWCA 145 Paric v John Holland (Constructions) Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 58 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Pham v Shui [2006] NSWCA 373 Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164 State of NSW v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133, (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 Timoney Technology Limited & Anor v ADI Limited [2007] VSC 402 Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158 Wynn v NSW Insurance Ministerial Corporation [1995] HCA 53; (1995) 184 CLR 485 Texts Cited: Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, Fourth Ed, McGraw Hill, 1979 Dorlands Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 28th Ed, WB Saunders, 1994 Oxford Medical Companion, edited by Walton J, et al, Oxford University Press, 1994 Smyth, R : "What do Trial Judges cite?" (2018) 41(1) University of New South Wales Law Journal Category: Principal judgment Parties: Tony Webb (Plaintiff) Lyndon John Edwards (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr C Hickey (Plaintiff) Mr A Black SC (Defendant)