Our mission is to be recognised as a premier provider of specialist legal services across Australia and internationally by being the best we can be for our clients and ourselves. Carter Newell Lawyers is an award winning specialist law firm providing legal advice toAustralian and international corporate clients in our key specialist practice areas of: § Insurance § Commercial Property § Construction & Engineering § Litigation & Dispute Resolution § Resources § Aviation § Corporate Within each of these core areas we have dedicated experts who are committed to and passionate about their field and have extensive experience and knowledge. Our Awards 2016 Winner 2015 Finalist Australasian Law Awards – State / 2015 Leading Queensland Litigation & Dispute Resolution Law Regional Firm of the Year Firm – Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession 2016, 2015 Leading Queensland Defendant Public Liability Law 2015 Winner QLS Equity and Diversity Awards – Large Legal Firm – Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession Practice Award 2016, 2015 Leading Queensland Professional Indemnity Law 2015 Finalist Australian HR Awards – Employer of Choice Firm – Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession (<1000 employees) 2016, 2015 Leading Queensland Defendant Medical Negligence 2014 Winner Australasian Lawyer Employer of Choice – Bronze Law Firm – Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession Medal Award, Career Progression Award and Work Life Balance Award 2016 Leading Queensland Energy & Resources Law Firm – Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession 2013, 2012, 2008 Winner 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007 Finalist ALB Australasian Law Awards – Brisbane Law Firm of the Year 2016 Finalist - Australian HR Awards – Best Reward & Recognition Program 2012 Winner Disability Employment Award – AHRI Diversity Awards 2016 Finalist Australasian Law Awards – Australian Law Firm of the Year (up to 100 lawyers) 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005 Finalist 2006 Winner BRW Client Choice Award for Best Law Firm in Australia (open to firms with 2016 Finalist Australasian Law Awards – Employee Health & revenue under $50M per year) Wellbeing Award 2011 Winner ALB Employer of Choice Blue Award 2016, 2015 Finalist Australasian Law Awards – Insurance Specialist Firm of the Year 2011 Finalist ALB Australasian Law Awards – Innovative Use of Technology 2016, 2015 Leading Queensland Back-End Construction Law Firm – Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession 2009, 2008 Independently recognised as a leading Brisbane firm in the practice areas of Insurance | Building & Construction | 2015 Leading Australian Aviation Law Firm – Doyle’s Guide to Mergers & Acquisitions | Energy & Resources the Australian Legal Profession 2008 Winner Queensland Law Society Employer of Choice NB: Due to the extensive nature of this publication and the pace of reforms and judicial consideration there may be an absence of reference to a recent case or some references to legislation and its provisions which are no longer current, yet proclaimed, amended or repealed. This publication attempts to draw out the most significant points in the relevant legislation. Whilst all care has been taken to ensure that the most up to date information has been included, not all cases or aspects of the legislation have been considered. The material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment only, and neither purports nor is intended to be advice on any particular matter. No reader should act on the basis of any matter contained in this publication without considering and, if necessary, taking appropriate professional advice upon his or her own particular circumstance. © Carter Newell Lawyers 2016 Australian Civil Liability Guide Contributors Paul Hopkins Amy Gill Katherine Bland Patrick Mead Rochelle Rieck Megan Butterworth Rebecca Stevens Allison Bailey Jillian Commins Michael Gapes Ryan Stehlik Sadia Stathis Mark Brookes Christian Breen Rebecca Wilson David Rodighiero David Fisher Brett Sherwin Glenn Biggs Rebecca Johns Tom Pepper Stephen White Sarah Tuhtan Madeline Condon Michael Bath Cameron Rodgers Foreword by The Honourable David A Ipp AO QC Formerly Commissioner of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption Formerly Justice, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of New South Wales Endorsement by The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG Carter Newell Publications Brisbane • Sydney • Melbourne AUSTRALIAN CIVIL LIABILITY GUIDE 10TH EDITION FOREWORD Carter Newell Lawyers are to be commended for their publication ‘Australian Civil Liability Guide’. The legislation that, since 2002, has reformed tort law in Australia has created a maze. The tangled web of statutory provisions has been made even more complex by the judgments of courts in every jurisdiction that have tried to apply and clarify the various provisions that have fallen for decision. One of the most time-consuming problems for lawyers who have to grapple with the subtleties of the legislation involved is the difficulty in finding the relevant material. This may comprise the legislation applicable, the cases that have considered the particular issue, similar legislation in other jurisdictions, and relevant cases in those jurisdictions. Carter Newell’s publication enables one, quickly, to undertake the desired research simply and efficiently. The material is comprehensive and well-organised. The legislation is sensibly divided into different categories annotated with cases and commentary. Each category deals separately with each State and Territory. The language used is clear and direct. The time and trouble that has been taken in the production of the guide is obvious. Its quality as a reference work speaks for itself. It is an extremely helpful tool for any tort lawyer, whether practitioner or academic, and for any person who is interested in the changes to Australian tort law that have occurred since 2002. The Honourable Justice David A Ipp AO QC ENDORSEMENT Insurance law was the first area of law I knew and when I started there were no publications such as this 9th edition Australian Civil Liability Guide. The State by State break down highlighting the effects of the tort reform introduced in 2002; the cases reviewed, interpretation and assessment of heads of damage clearly demonstrate an excellent understanding of this area of law by the team at Carter Newell Lawyers. This publication is a great resource and a fine example of why I have always felt at home in the family of insurance lawyers. The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG © Carter Newell 2016 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Cases ............................................................................................................................................. xiv Table of Statutes .........................................................................................................................................xix INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Background to the Australian tort reform ...................................................................................................... 1 Commentary .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Future reform ................................................................................................................................................. 1 QUEENSLAND .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Application of Statutory Reforms .................................................................................................................. 4 Pre-court Procedures ................................................................................................................................... 4 Compulsory conference .......................................................................................................................... 7 Commencing court proceedings ............................................................................................................. 7 The Law of Negligence – Scope of Duty of Care .......................................................................................... 8 Standard of care ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Causation ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Obvious risk ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Dangerous recreational activities ........................................................................................................... 11 Liability of public authorities ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 12 Liability of volunteers and Good Samaritans ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12 Liability for mental harm ........................................................................................................................ 13 Intoxication and illegal activity ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������