State of New South Wales v Cuthbertson [2018] NSWCA 320

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: State of New South Wales v Cuthbertson [2018] NSWCA 320 Hearing dates: 8 August 2018 Decision date: 17 December 2018 Before: Beazley P at [1]; McColl JA at [114]; Basten JA at [127]; Meagher JA and Payne JA at [161]; Decision: (1) Grant leave to appeal.

(2) Allow the appeal and set aside the judgment in favour of the respondent given in the District Court on 15 December 2017.

(3) In place thereof, give judgment for the plaintiff in the District Court in the sum of $31,000, such judgment to take effect from 15 December 2017. Catchwords: COSTS – Party/party – Recovery of legal costs – Whether costs of defending criminal proceedings can be recovered as damages in subsequent civil proceedings for wrongful arrest – Whether State of New South Wales v Koumdjiev (2005) 63 NSWLR 353; [2005] NSWCA 247 wrongly decided

DAMAGES – General principles – Exemplary, punitive and aggravated damages – Where primary judge made a single award for aggravated and exemplary damages – Where respondent engaged in provocative conduct – Whether primary judge erred in the award of aggravated and exemplary damages

TORTS – False imprisonment – Wrongful arrest – Causation – Whether costs of defending criminal proceedings natural and probable consequence of tort of wrongful arrest Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B, 21 Costs in Criminal Cases Act 1967 (NSW), s 3 Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 (NSW), ss 20, 28, 70 Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 58 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), ss 212, 213, 214 Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW), s 99 Law Reform (Vicarious Liability) Act 1983 (NSW) Cases Cited: Anderson v Bowles (1951) 84 CLR 323; [1951] HCA 61 Australian Consolidated Press Ltd v Uren (1966) 117 CLR 185; [1966] HCA 37 Avenhouse v Hornsby Shire Council (1988) 44 NSWLR 1 Berry v British Transport Commission [1962] 1 QB 306; [1961] 3 All ER 65 Bradlaugh v Edwards (1861) 11 CBNS 377 ;142 ER 843 Carter v Walker (2010) 32 VR 1; [2010] VSCA 340 Coleman v Buckingham's Ltd [1963] SR (NSW) 171; 80 WN 593 Croucher v Cachia (2016) 95 NSWLR 117; [2016] NSWCA 132 Diamond v Minter [1941] 1 KB 656 Fontin v Katapodis (1962) 108 CLR 177; [1962] HCA 63 Foxall v Barnett (1853) 23 LJQB 7; 118 ER 1014 Gray v Motor Accident Commission (1998) 196 CLR 1; [1998] HCA 70 Hawkins v Permarig Pty Ltd (2004) 2 Qd R 388; [2004] QCA 76 Lamb v Cotogno (1987) 164 CLR 1; [1987] HCA 47 Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534; [1990] HCA 59 Lee v New South Wales Crimes Commission (2012) 224 A Crim R 94; [2012] NSWCA 262 Loton v Devereux (1832) 3 B & Ad 343; 110 ER 129 Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Naidu; ISS Security Pty Ltd v Naidu (2007) 71 NSWLR 471; [2007] NSWCA 377 New South Wales v Ibbett (2006) 229 CLR 638; [2006] HCA 57 New South Wales v Ibbett [2005] NSWCA 445 New South Wales v Riley (2003) 57 NSWLR 496; [2003] NSWCA 208 Palmer Bruyn & Parker Pty Ltd v Parsons (2001) 208 CLR 388; [2001] HCA 69 Pritchet v Boevey (1833) 1 C & M 775; 149 ER 612 State of New South Wales v Koumdjiev (2005) 63 NSWLR 353; [2005] NSWCA 247 State of New South Wales v Randall [2017] NSWCA 88 State of New South Wales v Riley (2003) 57 NSWLR 496; [2003] NSWCA 208 TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd v Anning (2002) 54 NSWLR 333; [2002] NSWCA 82 Uren v John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd (1966) 117 CLR 118; [1966] HCA 40 Whitbread v Rail Corporation New South Wales [2011] NSWCA 130 Whitfeld v De Lauret & Co Ltd (1920) 29 CLR 71; [1920] HCA 75 XL Petroleum (NSW) Pty Ltd v Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd (1985) 155 CLR 448; [1985] HCA 12 Texts Cited: James Edelman (ed) McGregor on Damages (Sweet & Maxwell, 20th ed, 2018) Carolyn Sappideen and Prue Vines (eds), Fleming on Torts (Thomson Reuters, 10th ed, 2011) Michael A Jones et al (eds), Clerk & Lindsell on Torts (Sweet & Maxwell, 22nd ed, 2018) Mayne & McGregor on Damages 12th ed, 1961 Category: Principal judgment Parties: State of New South Wales (Appellant) Drew Cuthbertson (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: M Windsor SC; A Williams (Appellant) D Toomey SC; D Morgan (Respondent)