Bowen v Stavroulakis

[2020] NSWDC 20

District Court

New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation:	Bowen v Stavroulakis [2020] NSWDC 20
Hearing dates:	10 – 12 February 2020, 14 February 2020
Date of orders:	21 February 2020
Decision date:	21 February 2020
Jurisdiction:	Civil
Before:	Abadee DCJ
Decision:	See paragraph 208
Catchwords:	NEGLIGENCE – builder’s negligence – excavation work affecting neighbouring property – content of duty of care – whether private cause of action available for breach of statutory duty – breach of duty   DAMAGES – causation – proper scope of rectification works – quantum – contributory negligence – apportionment of responsibility where owner delegates work to builder
Legislation Cited:	Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) Environment Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (NSW) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW)
Cases Cited:	Anderson v MacKellar County Council (1968) 69 SR (NSW) 444 Booksan Pty Ltd, Jaymay Constructions Pty Ltd v Wehbe, Elmir & Ors [2006] NSWCA 3 Burnie Port Authority v General Jones Pty Ltd (1994) 179 CLR 520 Evans v Balog [1976] 1 NSWLR 36 Gagner Pty Ltd v Canturi Corporation Pty Ltd (2009) 262 ALR 691 Llavero v Shearer [2014] NSWSC 1336 Lym International Pty Ltd v Marcolongo [2011] NSWCA 303 Mailey v Sutherland Shire Council [2017] NSWCA 343 New South Wales v Fahy (2007) 232 CLR 486 Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd v CTC Group Pty Ltd (No.2) [2013] NSWCA 58 Piling Contractors (Qld) Pty Ltd v Prynew Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 118 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd (1985) 59 ALR 529 Rahme v Benjamin & Khoury Pty Ltd [2019] NSWCA 211 Reinhold v NSW Lotteries Corporation [2008] NSWSC 5 Rennie Golledge Pty Ltd v Ballard (2012) 82 NSWLR 231 The Owners – SP 30791 v Southern Cross Constructions (ACT) Pty Ltd (in liq) [2019] NSWSC 440 Tsu v Nemeth & Anor [2012] NSWCA 29 Vairy v Wyong Shire Council (2005) 223 CLR 422 Yates v Mobile Marine Repairs Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 1463
Category:	Principal judgment
Parties:	Ms CM Bowen Mr LA Bowen Mr G Stavroulakis Ms N Stavroulakis
Representation:	Counsel: Mr A Paterson for the Plaintiffs Mr M Sheldon for the Defendants   Solicitors: JPG Lawyers Kydon Segal Lawyers
File Number(s):	2018/307675
Publication restriction:	Nil

Judgment

INTRODUCTION

The Pleadings

1. The plaintiffs (‘the Bowens’) are brother and sister. They and the defendants (‘the Stavroulakises’) own adjoining land in Torrington Road, Maroubra. The properties are located not far from Maroubra Beach. In 2014, excavation works were carried out on the Stravroulakises’ property (47 Torrington Road) as part of a redevelopment. The Stavroulakises constructed a new two storey dwelling. The excavations occurred principally in 2014. This was before the Bowens had purchased their property (49 Torrington Road), which occurred in 2015. Further excavations works occurred in relation to a boundary retaining wall in late 2016 or early 2017.

2. The Bowens’ property was about 80 or 90 years’ old. At the front of the house, there is a sunroom which sits on sandstone footings. At the time they…