Tapp v Gray

In the case of Tapp v Gray, the plaintiff, Tapp, brought an action against the defendant, Gray, who was his lawyer. The dispute arose from alleged negligence on the part of Gray in the handling of a personal injury claim, which resulted in Tapp losing a significant opportunity for compensation. The matter was heard in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The primary issue before the court was the appropriate assessment of damages for the loss of opportunity that Tapp had suffered as a result of Gray's negligence. Specifically, the court needed to determine whether Tapp was entitled to damages for the lost opportunity, and if so, how those damages should be quantified.

The court considered the applicable legal principles and case law in determining the assessment of damages for loss of opportunity. It examined the precedent set in cases such as Tabet v Gett, where the High Court of Australia outlined the criteria for awarding damages for loss of opportunity in negligence cases. The court also looked at the factors that should be considered in quantifying the loss, including the probability of success in the underlying claim, the extent of the loss, and the impact of the loss on the plaintiff's life. After considering the evidence and arguments presented by both parties, the court concluded that Tapp was entitled to damages for the lost opportunity. The court found that the loss was significant and that Tapp had a high probability of success in the underlying claim. The court awarded Tapp damages in the amount of $500,000, reflecting the value of the lost opportunity and the impact it had on Tapp's life.