Roads And Traffic Authority v Snape, Roads And Traffic Authority v Trimbak Pty Ltd

The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) appealed decisions of a trial judge who had found the RTA liable in negligence for injuries sustained by Mr Snape and Trimbak Pty Ltd as a result of roadworks. The appeals concerned the adequacy of the trial judge's findings on the evidence and as to liability.

The primary legal issues before the Court of Appeal were whether the trial judge had provided adequate reasons for his findings of fact and his conclusions regarding the RTA's negligence and causation of the plaintiffs' injuries. The court also considered whether a *Sanderson* order regarding costs was appropriate.

The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal in Mr Snape's case, finding that the trial judge's reasons were insufficient to support his findings of negligence and causation. In contrast, the appeal in Trimbak Pty Ltd's case was dismissed, with the court finding that the trial judge's reasons were adequate in that instance. Consequently, the orders of the trial judge were varied accordingly.