Hancock v Rizutti

In *Hancock v Rizutti*, the New South Wales Court of Appeal considered a dispute between the appellant, Hancock, and the respondent, Rizutti. The case concerned an appeal against a judgment of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

The primary legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether the primary judge had erred in finding that the respondent had established a claim for damages for breach of contract. Specifically, the court had to determine if the respondent had suffered loss as a result of the appellant's alleged breach and, if so, the appropriate measure of those damages.

The Court of Appeal analysed the evidence presented at trial concerning the contractual obligations of the parties and the subsequent conduct of the appellant. The court applied established principles of contract law, including the requirement for a plaintiff to prove causation between the breach and the loss claimed, and the principles governing the assessment of damages for breach of contract. The court found that the primary judge had correctly applied these principles and that the evidence supported the finding of a breach and consequent loss.

The appeal was dismissed, and the orders of the Supreme Court were affirmed.