Bugge v Brown

26 CLR 110
1919 - 0327A - HCA

(Judgment by: GAVAN DUFFY J)

Between: Bugge
And: Brown

Court:
High Court of Australia

Judges: Isaacs J
Higgins J

Gavan Duffy J

Subject References:
Employment
Negligence
Vicarious liability of employer
Scope of employment

Hearing date: 10 March 1919; 11 March 1919
Judgment date: 27 March 1919

MELBOURNE


Judgment by:
GAVAN DUFFY J

In his statement of claim the plaintiff alleges that on or about 27th December 1917, at Cope Cope, the defendant by his servant or agent was guilty of negligence in that he lit a fire in such a place and under such circumstances and conditions that the said fire was likely to escape or get out of control and spread and/or in that he failed to take any proper or sufficient steps to prevent the said fire from escaping, getting out of control or spreading.

The evidence at the trial before Irvine C.J. showed that one Winter had lit the fire, and the questions in issue with respect to the defendant's liability were these:

(1)
Was the conduct of Winter negligent; and
(2)
if so, was the defendant responsible for Winter's negligence?

The Chief Justice found that the conduct was negligent, but that the defendant was not responsible for the negligence, and I agree with him for the reasons stated in his judgment.

In my opinion, the appeal should be dismissed.

1 Y.B. 2 Hen. IV., 18, pl. 6

2 11 Q.B., 347

3 [1911] 2 K.B., 747

4 [1911] 2 K.B., 757

5 [1914] A.C., 62

6 [1895] 1 Q.B., 742

7 [1912] A.C., at pp. 732, 737

8 [1903] 1 K.B., 81

9 5 App. Cas., 317

10 (1912] A.C., at p. 734

11 1 H. & C., 526

12 [1914] A.C., 62

13 [1912] A.C., at p. 737

14 [1903] 1 K.B., at p. 85

15 1 Salk., 289

16 1 H. & C., 526

17 [1903] 1 K.B., see p. 86

18 [1912] A.C., see particularly pp. 726-727, 732, 738

19 [1904] A.C., 423

20 [1917] A.C., 352

21 [1914] A.C., 62

22 1 Ld. Raym., 264

23 [1905] 1 K.B., 237

24 [1894] A.C., at p. 55

25 6 M. & W., 499

26 85 L.J. Q.B., 1177

27 [1917] A.C., at p. 372

28 1 H. & C., at pp. 540, 543

29 [1912] A.C., 44

30 [1894] A.C., at p. 55

31 [1911] 2 K.B., at p. 752

32 [1911] 2 K.B., 757

33 [1894] A.C., at p. 57

34 [1911] 2 K.B., at p. 755

35 1 H. & C., at p. 540

36 [1912] A.C., at p. 737

37 [1901] 2 K.B., 48

38 [1914] A.C., at p. 67

39 [191]) A.C., at p. 49

40 [1911] S.C., 660

41 [1911] 2 K.B., 747

42 [1911] 2 K.B., 757

43 [1911] 2 K.B., at p. 751

44 [1911] 2 K.B., 747

45 [1911] S.C., 660

46 [1911] 2 K.B., at p. 755

47 1 H. & C., 526

48 [1912] A.C., at pp. 50-51

49 2 C.P.D., 357

50 [1917] A.C., 249

51 [1917] A.C., at p. 372

52 [1918] A.C., at p. 316

53 [1912] A.C., at p. 736

54 [1918] A.C., 304

55 6 M. & W., 499

56 1 H. & C., 526

57 [1912] A.C., 716

58 [1904] 1 K.B., 271

59 [1911] 2 K.B., 747

60 [1894] A.C., 48

61 [1911] S.C., 660

62 [1911] 2 K.B., 757

63 [1912] A.C., 44

64 2 B. & Ad., 951

65 35 T.L.R., 202

66 [1894) A.C., at p. 54

67 11 Q.B., 347

68 [1894] A.C., 48

69 [1912] A.C., 716

70 L.R. 2 Ex., 259

71 1 H. & C., 526

72 L.R. 2 Ex., at p. 266

73 [1918] A.C., at pp. 317, 327

74 [1914] A.C., at p. 66

75 [1911] 2 K.B., 757

76 [1911] 2 K.B., 747

77 [1912] A.C., 44