Landsdale Pty Ltd v Moore

[2009] WASCA 176

JURISDICTION     :   SUPREME COURT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

TITLE OF COURT :   THE COURT OF APPEAL (WA)

CITATION:   LANDSDALE PTY LTD -v- MOORE [2009] WASCA 176

CORAM:   BUSS JA

NEWNES JA

HEARD:   22 SEPTEMBER 2009

DELIVERED          :   22 SEPTEMBER 2009

PUBLISHED           :  9 OCTOBER 2009

FILE NO/S:   CACV 65 of 2009

BETWEEN:   LANDSDALE PTY LTD (ACN 009 382 969) As Trustee For THE MOUNT BARKER TRUST

First Appellant

IAN PAUL CROCKETT As Trustee For THE IPC TRUST
Second Appellant

ROBERT GRAHAM QUENBY And
ADRIENNE QUENBY As Trustees For THE QUENBY TRUST
Third Appellants

BRIAN STEPHEN BOWLEY As Trustee For THE BOWLEY FAMILY TRUST
Fourth Appellant

ROBERT GRAHAM QUENBY
Fifth Appellant

QUENBY VITICULTURAL SERVICES PTY LTD (ACN 009 283 943)
Sixth Appellant

AND

NEIL WILLIAM MOORE
WARREN ROBERT MOORE
EUNICE KATHLEEN MOORE
Respondents

ON APPEAL FROM:

Jurisdiction              :  SUPREME COURT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Coram  :MASTER SANDERSON

File No  :CIV 2588 of 2008

Catchwords:

Practice and procedure - Application for separate trials of liability and damages - Relevant principles - Need to show clear demarcation of issues and substantial saving in time, inconvenience and expense likely - Particular caution necessary in claim in negligence

Legislation:

Nil

Result:

Appeal allowed

Category:    B

Representation:

Counsel:

First Appellant               :     Mr J C Vaughan

Second Appellant          :     Mr J C Vaughan

Third Appellants            :     Mr J C Vaughan

Fourth Appellant            :     Mr J C Vaughan

Fifth Appellant               :     Mr J C Vaughan

Sixth Appellant              :     Mr J C Vaughan

Respondents                 :     Mr A J Musikanth

Solicitors:

First Appellant               :     Deacons

Second Appellant          :     Deacons

Third Appellants            :     Deacons

Fourth Appellant            :     Deacons

Fifth Appellant               :     Deacons

Sixth Appellant              :     Deacons

Respondents                 :     Metaxas & Hager

Case(s) referred to in judgment(s):

Allen v Gulf Oil Refining Ltd [1981] AC 1001

Chenery v Conti [1999] WASCA 258

Dovuro Pty Ltd v Wilkins [2003] HCA 51; (2003) 215 CLR 317

Perre v Apand Pty Ltd [1999] HCA 36; (1999) 198 CLR 180

Smith v Maloney (1998) 19 WAR 209

Tepko Pty Ltd v Water Board [2001] HCA 19; (2001) 206 CLR 1

1. BUSS JA:  On 22 September 2009, I joined with Newnes JA in ordering that leave to appeal be granted and the appeal be allowed for the reasons now published by his Honour.

2. NEWNES JA:  On 22 September 2009 we allowed an appeal against a decision of Master Sanderson in which he ordered that there be separate trials of the issues of liability and the quantum of damages in an action for negligence by the respondents against the appellants.  We said we would give reasons for our decision later.  These are my reasons.

The action

1. The appellants and the respondents own adjoining properties at Mount Barker in the south‑west of the state.  Since about 1977 the respondents have operated a marron farm and a cattle stud on their property.  The marron farm has from about 1996 had 46 marron ponds.  The appellants operate a vineyard on their adjoining property. 

2. The operation of…