Ayre v Swan [2019] NSWCA 202

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Ayre v Swan [2019] NSWCA 202 Hearing dates: 24 June 2019 Decision date: 16 August 2019 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Macfarlan JA at [56]; McCallum JA at [57] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed in part.

(2) Set aside the primary judge's determination as to contributory negligence and in lieu thereof assess the contributory negligence of the plaintiff at 80%.

(3) Set aside the judgment of the District Court and in lieu thereof enter judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $122,947.

(4) Order that the respondent pay the appellant's costs of the appeal. Catchwords: TORTS – negligence – road accident – liability of defendant – defendant completing a right-hand turn across double on-coming lanes – visibility of plaintiff's motorcycle blocked by car in front – plaintiff sought to overtake car at a high speed on inside lane – collided with defendant – whether defendant negligent in failing to slow down or stop – reasonableness of precautions against unseen vehicles travelling at high speeds – expectation that road users will take reasonable care for their own safety

EXPERT EVIDENCE – negligence – calculation of speed – CCTV footage of accident – failure to assess weight of expert evidence – confirmatory report not taken into account Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5R, 54 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW), ss 126, 138 Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW), s 117 Cases Cited: Allianz v Cervantes [2012] NSWCA 244 Brodie v Singleton Shire Council (2001) 206 CLR 512; [2001] HCA 29 Gordon v Truong [2014] NSWCA 97; (2016) 66 MVR 241 Nominal Defendant v Livaja [2011] NSWCA 121 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; (1985) 59 ALJR 492 Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Vicki Babette Ayre (Appellant) Mitchell Richard Swan (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr P Deakin QC / Ms N Compton (Appellant) Mr M Cranitch SC / Mr F Austin (Respondent)