O'Brien v Noble

[2012] ACTCA 13

JOSHUA O’BRIEN v MICHELLE NOBLE
[2012] ACTCA 13 (24 February 2012)

APPEAL AND NEW TRIAL – in general and right of appeal – appeal from a final decision of the Master – appeal upheld.

DAMAGES – measure and remoteness of damages in actions in tort – measure of damages for out-of-pocket expenses, past and future loss of earning capacity and provision of gratuitous services – method of evaluation – appeal upheld.

PROCEDURE – court and judges generally – action for damages for negligence – measurement of damages – no reasons for evaluation given – appeal upheld.

Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 s 100

Noble v O’Brien [2010] ACTSC 29
Pettitt v Dunkley [1971] 1 NSWLR 376
Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247
Kendirjian v Ayoub [2008] NSWCA 194
Gamser v Nominal Defendant (1977) 136 CLR 145
Goodrich Aerospace Pty Ltd v Arsic (2006) 66 NSWLR 186
CSR Readymix (Australia) Pty Ltd v Payne [1998] 2 VR 505
Westrac Equipment Pty Ltd v King [2004] WASCA 188
Sherwood v Guneser (1992) 110 FLR 459
Fry v McGufficke [1998] ACTSC 20
Griffiths v Kerkemeyer (1977) 139 CLR 161
Waterways Authority v Fitzgibbon (2005) 79 ALJR 1816

ON APPEAL FROM THE MASTER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

No. ACTCA 13 of 2010
No. SC 218 of 2007

Judges:            Refshauge, Penfold and North JJ
Australian Capital Territory Court of Appeal

Date:               24 February 2012

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE       )          No. ACTCA 13 of 2010
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY    )          No. SC 218 of 2007
COURT OF APPEAL  )

ON APPEAL FROM THE MASTER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAITAL TERRITORY

BETWEEN:JOSHUA O’BRIEN

Appellant

AND:MICHELLE NOBLE

Respondent

ORDER

Judge:  Refshauge, Penfold and North JJ
Date:  24 February 2012
Place:  Canberra

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1. The appeal be upheld.

1. The matter be referred to the Master for a re-trial limited to the assessment of the respondent’s damages in respect of:

(a)    future out-of-pocket expenses;

(b)   past and future loss of earning capacity; and

(c)    the claims, past and future, under Griffiths v Kerkemeyer and s 100 of the Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 (ACT).

1. The respondent pay the appellant’s costs of the appeal.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE       )          No. ACTCA 13 of 2010
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY    )          No. SC 218 of 2007
COURT OF APPEAL  )

ON APPEAL FROM THE MASTER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

BETWEEN:JOSHUA O’BRIEN

Appellant

AND:MICHELLE NOBLE

Respondent

Judge:  Refshauge, Penfold and North JJ
Date:  24 February 2012
Place:  Canberra

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

THE COURT:

Introduction

1. Before the Court is an appeal by Joshua O’Brien against a decision of Master Harper (Noble v O’Brien [2010] ACTSC 29) awarding damages for negligently-caused personal injury to the respondent, Michelle Noble, arising out of a motor vehicle accident involving the appellant and the respondent.

1. The heads of damage the subject of this appeal are the Master’s awards for:

(a)the respondent’s future out-of-pocket…