Singh v Doulakis

The appellant, Singh, appealed against a decision of the Local Court of New South Wales in relation to a dispute with the respondent, Doulakis, regarding damages for loss of rent following damage to premises by Doulakis. The appeal was heard on a question of law pursuant to section 73 of the Local Courts Act 1982. The primary issue before the court was whether the magistrate erred in awarding damages for loss of rent to Singh following damage to the premises by Doulakis. A secondary issue was whether the evidence was capable of supporting the findings made by the magistrate.

The court found that there was no error of law in the magistrate's decision to award damages for loss of rent. The evidence presented was deemed sufficient to support the findings made by the magistrate. However, the court found an error of law in the magistrate's decision to award damages for loss of rent for a small period when Singh was entitled to receive rent from another tenant. The court held that this amounted to double counting and an error of law. Consequently, the judgment was varied pursuant to section 75(a) of the Local Courts Act 1982.