MacDougal v Mitchell

[2015] NSWCA 389

Court of Appeal
Supreme Court

New South Wales

Case Name:	MacDougal v Mitchell
Medium Neutral Citation:	[2015] NSWCA 389
Hearing Date(s):	24 November 2015
Decision Date:	9 December 2015
Before:	Meagher JA at [1] Bergin CJ in Eq at [2] Tobias AJA at [3]
Decision:	1 Grant leave to appeal. 2 Appeal allowed in part. 3 Set aside Order 1 made by Judge R A Sorby on 27 February 2015 and in lieu thereof enter judgment for the applicant against both respondents in the sum of $110,500. 4 The respondents to pay the applicant’s costs of the summons for leave to appeal and the appeal but to have, if qualified, a certificate under the Suitors’ Fund Act 1951 (NSW).
Catchwords:	TORTS – assault – damages – whether award of aggravated and/or exemplary damages justified – whether a ‘cushion’ for future economic loss should be awarded - applicable principles – quantum of aggravated and exemplary damages
Legislation Cited:	Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), s 3B Suitors’ Fund Act 1951 (NSW)
Cases Cited:	Carson v John Fairfax & Sons Ltd (1993) 178 CLR 44 Cassell & Co Ltd v Broome [1972] AC 1027 Gacic v John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 99 Gray v Motor Accident Commission [1998] HCA 70; (1998) 196 CLR 1 Lamb v Cotogno [1987] HCA 47; (1987) 164 CLR 1 Rogers v Nationwide News Pty Ltd [2003] HCA 52; 216 CLR 327 State of NSW v Riley [2003] NSWCA 208; (2003) 57 NSWLR 496 State of NSW v Zreika [2012] NSWCA 37 Uren v John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd [1966] HCA 40; (1966) 117 CLR 118 Vignoli v Sydney Harbour Casino [1999] NSWSC 1113; [2000] Aust Torts Reports 81-541
Texts Cited:	McGregor on Damages (18th ed 2009, Sweet & Maxwell Ltd)
Category:	Principal judgment
Parties:	Leon Peter MacDougal (Applicant) Dale Ian Mitchell (First Respondent) Jacob Terrence Osland (Second Respondent)
Representation:	Counsel: D P O’Dowd (Applicant) No Appearance (First Respondent) In person (Second Respondent)   Solicitors: Slater and Gordon (Applicant)
File Number(s):	2015/84875
Decision under appeal:
Court or Tribunal:	District Court
Jurisdiction:	Civil
Date of Decision:	27 February 2015
Before:	Sorby DCJ
File Number(s):	2013/385047

[Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.]

JUDGMENT

1. MEAGHER JA: I agree with Tobias AJA.

2. BERGIN CJ in Eq: I agree with Tobias AJA.

3. TOBIAS AJA: By Summons filed on 27 May 2015, the applicant, Leon Peter MacDougal, seeks the Court’s leave to appeal against the decision of his Honour Judge R A Sorby, of 27 February 2015 wherein it was ordered that there be judgment for the applicant against the respondents in…