Hubbard v CPB Contractors Pty Limited [2020] NSWSC 1921

Hubbard v CPB Contractors Pty Limited [2020] NSWSC 1921

The report of David Cockbain is inadmissible because it does not satisfy the requirements for expert opinion evidence under s 79 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), is largely based on assumptions rather than specialised knowledge, and its opinions on preventability and foreseeability are not relevant or probative of...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Plaintiff: Stephen John Hubbard; Defendant: CPB Contractors Pty Limited
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
08 December 2020
Procedural Posture
Damages Claim (personal Injury Negligence) / Ruling on Admissibility of Expert Report
Outcome
Expert report rejected as inadmissible
Legal Topics
Opinion Evidence, Expert Reports, Admissibility, Negligence, Occupier's Liability
Evidence Torts Opinion Evidence Expert Reports Admissibility Negligence Occupier's Liability

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Parties

Stephen John Hubbard

Plaintiff

CPB Contractors Pty Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Damages Claim (personal Injury Negligence) / Ruling on Admissibility of Expert Report

  1. 1 Whether the expert report of David Cockbain dated 22 May 2015 is admissible as expert opinion evidence
  2. 2 Whether the report satisfies the requirements of s 79 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW)
  3. 3 Whether the contents of the report are relevant to facts in issue

Ratio Decidendi

The report of David Cockbain is inadmissible because it does not satisfy the requirements for expert opinion evidence under s 79 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), is largely based on assumptions rather than specialised knowledge, and its opinions on preventability and foreseeability are not relevant or probative of any fact in issue.

Court Disposition

Expert report rejected as inadmissible

Orders

  • The tender of the report of David Cockbain dated 22 May 2015 is rejected.