Best v Rosamond [2019] NSWDC 344

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Best v Rosamond [2019] NSWDC 344 Hearing dates: 16 – 17 July 2019 Date of orders: 24 July 2019 Decision date: 24 July 2019 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Abadee DCJ Decision: See paragraph 140. Catchwords: TORTS – intentional tort - assault.

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – whether the plaintiff's action is time-barred by limitation period – discoverability – whether injury was "sufficiently serious to justify the bringing of an action on the cause of action" – whether claimant "ought to have known" of the relevant fact.

DAMAGES – past out-of-pocket expenses – future out-of-pocket expenses – general damages – diminution in earning capacity – aggravated damages.

EVIDENCE – whether Jones v Dunkel inference should be drawn for failure to call third party witness. Cases Cited: Baker-Morrison v State of New South Wales (2009) 74 NSWLR 454 Ditchburn v Seltsam Pty Ltd (1989) 17 NSWLR 697 Fabre v Arenales (1992) 27 NSWLR 437 Lamb v Cotogno (1987) 164 CLR 1 New South Wales v Ibbett [2006] HCA 57 New South Wales v Riley (2003) 57 NSWLR 496 Payne v Parker (1976) 1 NSWLR 191 Purkess v Crittenden (1965) 114 CLR 164; [1966] ALR 98 Rogers v Interpacific Resorts Australia Pty Ltd [2007] QSC 239 Royal North Shore v Henderson (1986) 7 NSWLR 283 State of New South Wales v Gillett [2012] NSWCA 83 Wardley v Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Mr Best (Plaintiff) Mr Rosamond (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr K Andrews Ms S Walsh