Brian Nugawela

Professional Information

Brian has appeared at all levels of the judicial hierarchy, from doing tribunal work to appeals in the High Court.

Selected Cases Links

Seiffert v The Prisoners Review Board [2023] WASCA 15 – Pleading tort of breach of statutory duty.

Karszniewicz v The State of Western Australia [2020] WASCA 121 – Directions concerning s 31A, Evidence Act 1906 (WA) [propensity evidence] and cross-admissibility.

Hill v The State of Western Australia [2019] WASCA 209 – Directions to jury concerning s31A, Evidence Act 1906 (WA). 

Westrupp v BIS Industries Ltd [2015] FCAFC 173; 238 FCR 354 – Full Federal Court decision interpreting and applying the High Court decision in Comcare v PVYW [2013] HCA 41; 250 (2013) CLR 246 concerning statutory concept of “injury”.

Falkingham v Hoffmans (A Firm) [2014] WASCA 140 – Loss of opportunity in professional negligence action.

Newcrest Mining Ltd v Thornton (2012) 248 CLR 555 – High Court decision concerning approach to statutory interpretation (apportionment legislation).

Kuhl v Zurich Financial Services Australia (2011) 243 CLR 361 – High Court decision concerning contractors’ duty of care, duties of trial Judges in conducting fair trials, procedural fairness, the rules in Browne v Dunn and Jones v Dunkel.

Czatyrko v Edith Cowan University (2005) 214 ALR 349 – High Court decision concerning employers’ liability for industrial accidents and law relating to contributory negligence.

Kuligowski v Metrobus (2004) 220 CLR 363 – High Court decision concerning the doctrine of issue estoppel.

Kschammer v R W Piper & Sons Pty Ltd & Ors [2003] WASCA 298 – Personal injuries appeal.

Dossett v TKJ Nominees Pty Ltd (2003) 218 CLR 1 – High Court decision that affirmed the presumption against retrospectivity over Ministerial pronouncement (statutory interpretation).

De Sales v Ingrilli (2002) 212 CLR 338 – High Court decision that changed and clarified long-standing (150 years) law and practice in relation to the “widow’s discount” in fatal accident cases; became known as the “attractive widow’s case”.