Shaw v Oakdale Junior Motorcycle Club Inc [2020] NSWSC 180

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Shaw v Oakdale Junior Motorcycle Club Inc [2020] NSWSC 180 Hearing dates: 17, 21, 23, 24, 25 and 28 October 2019 Date of orders: 06 March 2020 Decision date: 06 March 2020 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Cavanagh J Decision: (1) Judgment for the fourth defendant against the plaintiff. (2) The cross-claims are dismissed. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE — motor racing accident — where defendant administers licensing scheme and issued licence for motocross track — whether track was unsafe to be licensed or otherwise non-compliant with applicable by-laws — whether defendant improperly delegated its statutory functions — vicarious liability

NEGLIGENCE — causation

NEGLIGENCE — dangerous recreational activity — materialisation of an obvious risk

NEGLIGENCE — application of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) — whether any exceptions in s 3B apply

NEGLIGENCE — identification of risk of harm — reasonable precautions Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), Pt 1A, ss 3B, 5A, 5B, 5D, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5I, 5K, 5L, 5M, 5N, 42, 43, 43A, 44 Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) Motor Vehicle Sports (Public Safety) Act 1985 (NSW), ss 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13 Cases Cited: Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation [1948] 1 AC 223 Campbell v Hay [2014] NSWCA 129 Day v The Ocean Beach Hotel Shellharbour Pty Ltd (2013) 85 NSWLR 335; [2013] NSWCA 250 Derrick v Cheung [2001] HCA 48; 181 ALR 301 Goode v Angland (2017) 96 NSWLR 503; [2017] NSWCA 311 Jaber v Rockdale City Council [2008] NSWCA 98; [2008] ATR 81-952 Paul v Cooke (2013) 85 NSWLR 167; [2013] NSWCA 311 Port Macquarie Hastings Council v Mooney [2014] NSWCA 156; [2014] Aust Torts Rep 82–172 Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Miller; Miller v Lithgow City Council (2015) 91 NSWLR 752; [2015] NSWCA 320 Wyong Shire Council v Vairy [2004] NSWCA 247; [2004] Aust Torts Rep 81–754 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Russell Greg Shaw (Plaintiff) Oakdale Junior Motorcycle Club Inc (First Defendant / First Cross-Defendant) Motorcycling Australia Limited (Second Defendant / Second Cross-Defendant) Motorcycling NSW Limited (Third Defendant / Third Cross-Defendant) State of New South Wales (Fourth Defendant / Cross-Claimant) Representation: Counsel: M Cranitch SC with M Inglis (Plaintiff) G M Watson SC with D A Lloyd (First, Second and Third Defendants / Cross-Defendants) N J Polin SC (Fourth Defendant / Cross-Claimant)