Coulthurst v Miles [2020] NSWSC 599

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Coulthurst v Miles [2020] NSWSC 599 Hearing dates: 10,11,12 September 2019; 16,17 December 2019; 11 March 2020 Date of orders: 02 June 2020 Decision date: 02 June 2020 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Campbell J Decision: (1) Judgment for the plaintiff against the first defendant on the question of liability with damages to be assessed without reduction for contributory negligence;

(2) Dismiss the proceedings against the second defendant;

(3) The costs of the proceedings to date are the plaintiff's costs in the cause;

(4) List the matter before me for directions as to the further hearing of the matter at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday 10 June 2020. Catchwords: CIVIL LIABILITY – casual negligence – duty of care – plant operator – liability of owner/builder - standard of care required – identifying risk of injury – breach of duty – questions of contributory negligence Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1965 (NSW) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (NSW) Cases Cited: Bennett v Minister of Community Welfare (1992) 176 CLR 408; [1992] HCA 27 Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Bridge [2018] NSWCA 183 Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562 Dovuro Pty Ltd v Wilkins (2003) 215 CLR 317; [2003] HCA 51 Garzo v Liverpool/Campbelltown Christian School [2012] NSWCA 151 Grant v Sun Shipping Co Ltd [1948] AC 549 Imbree v McNeilly (2008) 236 CLR 510; [2008] HCA 40 Kolodziejczyk v Grandview Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 267 Leask Timber & Hardware Pty Ltd v Thorne (1961) 106 CLR 33; [1961] HCA 73; (1961) ACA 73 Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd v Fox (2009) 240 CLR 1; [2009] HCA 35 Neindorf v Junkovic (2005) 80 ALJR 341; [2005] HCA 75 Roads & Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Co. Pty Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 16; [1986] HCA 1 Sweeney v Boylan Nominees Pty Ltd (2006) 226 CLR 161; [2006] HCA 19 T and X Company Pty Ltd v Chivas [2014] NSWCA 235 Thompson v Woolworths (Qld) Pty Ltd (2005) 221 CLR 234; [2005] HCA 19 Vary v Wyong Shire Council (2005) 223 CLR 422; [2005] HCA 62 Wallace v Kam (2013) 250 CLR 375; [2013] HCA 19 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Roger Coulthurst (Plaintiff) Neville Miles (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: P. Doherty SC with H. Somerville (except for 11 March 2020); M. Hammond (11 March 2020) (Plaintiff) P. Greenwood SC with J Lee (Defendant)