Mark McCulloch SC
Mark has been listed as Recommended Senior Counsel in Doyle’s Leading New South Wales Insurance & Personal Injury Barristers 2017 and recognised in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers in Australia in the areas of Insurance Law & Professional Malpractice Litigation (listed since 2019).
Areas of Practice
Qualifications
Diploma of Law (Barristers Admission Board)
Master of Laws, University of Sydney
Professional experience
Solicitor and Senior Associate, Ebsworth and Ebsworth (now HWL Ebsworth)
Solicitor, Ferrier & Associates
Selected Cases
High Court of Australia
Waterways Authority v Fitzgibbon [2005] HCA 57 (05 October 2005) (Gleeson CJ, McHugh, Gummow, Kirby, Hayne, Callinan and Heydon JJ) 79 ALJR 1816; 221 ALR 402 – leading case on injuries sustained at recreational areas; marina
Mulligan v Coffs Harbour City Council [2005] HCA 63 (21 October 2005) (Gleeson CJ, McHugh, Gummow, Kirby, Hayne, Callinan and Heydon JJ) 223 CLR 486; 80 ALJR 43; 221 ALR 764 – leading decision on need for warning for obvious risks at natural water attractions
New South Wales Court of Appeal
The Council of the Municipality of Waverley v Bloom [1999] NSWCA 229 (05 August 1999) (Mason P, Sheller and Powell JJA) – swimmer injured when stuck by surfer while between flags- appeal dismissed
Feletti v Kontoulas [2000] NSWCA 59 (23 March 2000) (Mason P, Sheller JA and Rolfe AJA)- liability of solicitor for failure to bring proceedings; assessment of chances of success if proceedings brought
Stratti v Stratti [2000] NSWCA 358 (14 December 2000) (Meagher, Beazley and Fitzgerald JJA) 50 NSWLR 324 – partnership and contribution – leading case on contribution
Sutherland Shire Council v Kukovec and 1 Or; Elouera Surf Lifesaving Club Inc v Kukovec [2001] NSWCA 165 (05 June 2001) (Meagher and Hodgson JJA, Ipp AJA) – appeal allowed in case where surfer injured swimmer; vicarious liability for life guards
Adwell Holdings Pty Ltd v Smith [2003] NSWCA 103 (02 May 2003) (Mason P, Meagher JA and Buddin J) – leading case on valuation principles and the so called 10-15% margin for error
Ryde City Council v Wendy Joyce Smith [2003] NSWCA 57 (06 March 2003) – liability case involving pedestrian tripping on council footpath – appeal dismissed
Forbes v Selleys Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 149 (12 May 2004) (Mason P, Giles and McColl JJA) – products liability claim involving use of “No More Gaps” product said to cause brain damage – expert evidence – appeal dismissed
Lasermax Engineering Pty Limited v QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited [2005] NSWCA 66 (16 March 2005) (Ipp, Tobias and McColl JJA) (2005) 13 ANZ Ins Cas ¶61–643 – policy construction; “direct cause” “proximate cause” in relation to electricity supply to machinery
Lemoto v Able Technical Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 153 (09 May 2005) 63 NSWLR 300 – leading case on personal costs orders against solicitors
Copmanhurst Shire Council v Watt [2005] NSWCA 245 (26 July 2005) 140 LGERA 333 –driver rendered quadriplegic; whether stuck kangaroo; roadworks; council duty of care to warn – appeal dismissed
Bernasconi v Newcastle City Council [2005] NSWCA 422 (05 December 2005) (Giles and McColl JJA, Brownie AJA – injury on footpath; application to argue High Court precedent wrong rejected
Ingham v ACN 000 333 844 Ltd (In Liq) (formerly known as Australian Casualty and Life Ltd) [2006] NSWCA 63 (03 April 2006) (Handley, Giles and Santow JJA) – life insurance case – construction of policy
JX v GX [2006] NSWCA 167 (29 June 2006) (Handley JA at 1; Santow JA at 32; McColl JA at 38) – application to extend limitation period refused
State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Brown [2006] NSWCA 220 (07 August 2006) (Giles JA at 1; Santow JA at 27; Basten JA at 28) – rule in Brown v Dunn as it applies to expert medical witnesses- requirement to cross-examine
Orix Australia Corporation Limited v Moody Kiddell and Partners Pty Limited [2006] NSWCA 257 (26 September 2006) (Spigelman CJ at 1; Ipp JA at 2; Basten JA at 81) – liability of leasing broker for fraudulent invoices created by customer – appeal dismissed
Great Lakes Shire Council v Dederer [2006] NSWCA 101 (05 October 2006) (Handley JA at 1; Ipp JA at 67; Tobias JA at 325) 2006 ATR 81-860 – diving injury resulting in quadriplegia; Council successful on appeal; case went to high court but no appeal against Council – leading case on diving from structures and whether duty tro warn of obvious risks
NSW Bar Association v Meakes [2006] NSWCA 340 (06 December 2006) (Tobias JA; Bryson JA; Basten JA) – barrister engaging in overcharging – appeal dismissed
MBF Life Limited v Rowena Marchant [2006] NSWCA 363 (15 December 2006) (Handley JA; Beazley JA; Santow JA) – disability policy; interpretation of insuring clause and exclusion
Harrison v Melhem [2008] NSWCA 67 (29 May 2008) (Spigelman CJ; Mason P; Beazley JA ; Giles JA ; Basten JA) 72 NSWLR 380; 26 ACLC 484; (2008) Aust Torts Reports ¶81–951 – leading case on proper interpretation of section 15 Civil Liability Act
Sagacious Legal Pty Ltd v Wesfarmers General Insurance Ltd [2011] FCAFC 53 (13 April 2011) (Besanko, Perram and Katzmann JJ) (2011) 16 ANZ Ins Cas ¶61–885 – important case on section 26 and 27 of the Insurance contracts act
Ryland v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd [2013] NSWCA 120 (03 May 2013) (Basten, Meagher and Gleeson JJA) – slipping case at supermarket – appeal dismissed
Action Paintball Games Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) v Barker [2013] NSWCA 128 (13 May 2013) (Basten, Hoeben and Ward JJA) – injury at paintball centre; obvious risks; appeal dismissed
Australian Winch and Haulage Company Pty Ltd v Philip Archibald Collins [2013] NSWCA 232 (11 July 2013) (Emmett and Leeming JJA, Sackville AJA) – appeal dismissed in action involving failure of engineered “D” shackle; onus of proof re defect
Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis [2013] NSWCA 443 (18 December 2013) (McColl, Basten and Emmett JJA) – leading case on objections to expert evidence and particulars of claim
Reid v Target Australia Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 60 (17 March 2014) (Macfarlan, Ward and Emmett JJA) – slip at Club – appeal dismissed – expert evidence and application to adduce evidence out of time
State of New South Wales v Konneh [2014] NSWCA 91 (31 March 2014) (Macfarlan and Ward JJA) – class action against NSW Police for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment; leave to appeal refused on basis that “Meridian principle” able to be argued at trial
Boral Bricks Pty Ltd v Cosmidis (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 139 (07 May 2014) (McColl, Basten and Emmett JJA) 86 NSWLR 393 – assessment of contributory negligence at brickworks
Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd v Gangi [2014] NSWCA 287 (28 August 2014) (Basten, Gleeson and Leeming JJA); road building case; gravel on road; quadruplegic– appeal dismissed
Ball v McInerney [2014] NSWCA 331 (19 September 2014) (Beazley P, Emmett and Gleeson JJA) – commercial dispute concerning construction of equestrian facilities and drainage issues
Grima v RFI (Aust) Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 345 (21 November 2014) (Meagher, Barrett and Emmett JJA) – paraplegic injured due to inadequate loading of carpet rolls; expert evidence; apportionment between parties
Lee v Wickham Freight Lines Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 209 (15 August 2016) (Basten and Simpson JJA, Sackville AJA) – appeal dismissed – allegation of unsafe system of loading truck at logistic centre; whether worker an employee or not
Zhang v ROC Services (NSW) Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 370 (22 December 2016) (Macfarlan and Leeming JJA, Sackville AJA) 93 NSWLR 561 – person rendered quadriplegic by mechanical failure of welding of ramps; policy interpretation; exclusion; leading case in proper interpretation of policies
South Western Sydney Local Health District v Sorbello [2017] NSWCA 201 (11 August 2017) (Macfarlan, Meagher and Simpson JJA) – leading case on onus of proof to establish loss of earning capacity
Kabic v AAI Limited t/as GIO [2019] NSWCA 247 (11 October 2019) (Meagher, White and McCallum JJA) – appeal dismissed in industrial accident involving scaffolding at construction site
Murgolo v AAI Ltd t/as AAMI [2019] NSWCA 295 (05 December 2019) (Basten, Macfarlan and Leeming JJA) 101 NSWLR 376 – leading case on discoverability under Limitation Act
Marketform Managing Agency Ltd for and on behalf of the Underwriting Members of Syndicate 2468 for the 2009 Year of Account v Ashcroft Supa IGA Orange Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 36 (10 March 2020) (Ward CJ In Eq, Leeming and Payne JJA) – appeal dismissed; construction of exclusion in insurance policy
Todd Hadley Pty Limited v Lake Maintenance (NSW) Pty Ltd (No 2) [2020] NSWCA 81 (30 April 2020) (Bell P, Basten and Macfarlan JJA) – leading case on when time starts to run under limitation act in non-personal injury cases
Spotlight Pty Ltd v Fatseas Investments Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 132 (03 July 2020) (Gleeson and White JJA, Emmett AJA) – construction of lease; damage by pigeons – appeal dismissed
Mentink v Olsen [2020] NSWCA 182 (21 August 2020) (Meagher and Payne JJA, Emmett AJA) – wills and estates; unconscionable conduct by stepdaughter of leading artist John Olsen – appeal dismissed
GC NSW Pty Ltd v Galati [2020] NSWCA 326 (11 December 2020) (Gleeson and White JJA, Emmett AJA) – equity – construction of contract for sale and deeds
Supreme Court – Single Judge
Lanza v Codemo [2001] NSWSC 845 (28 September 2001) (Wood CJ at CL) quadriplegic case involving complex expert issues and use of elevated platform – proceedings dismissed
Aspro’s Pty Limitied v Robert Frederick Hayter [2005] NSWSC 512 (01 June 2005) (Bergin J) – lease rectification ; common or unilateral mistake
QBE Insurance v SLE Worldwide [2005] NSWSC 776 (29 July 2005) (White J) – contribution between insurers
Bennett v Manly Council and Sydney Water Corporation [2006] NSWSC 242 (04 April 2006) (Hislop J) 146 LGERA 60 – paraplegic injury while swimming in surf; liability of council and Water Board and plaintiff’s contributory negligence
R&J Lyons Family Settlement Pty Limited v 155 Macquarie Street Pty Limited [2006] NSWSC 625 (22 June 2006) (Windeyer J at 1)- building and construction case; interpretation of commercial lease; expert evidence
Tabet v Mansour & Anor [2007] NSWSC 36 – leading case on causation in High Court; six week trial against paediatrician and GP; complex medical issues; first case to use joint evidence
Greater Southern Area Health Service v Dr Angus [2007] NSWSC 1211 (02 November 2007) (Adams J at 1) – medical negligence claim against gynocologist
Lawloan Mortgages Pty Ltd v Young [2008] NSWSC 1180 (14 November 2008) (Rothman J) – Farm Debt Mediation Act – proceedings dismissed
George v Survery [2009] NSWSC 1348 (09 December 2009) (Hoeben J) – medical negligence; causation of injury by surgical misadventure or arteriosclerosis
Jerry Schwartz v Albert Hadid Albert Hadid v Jerry Schwartz [2011] NSWSC 1041 (06 September 2011) (McDougall J) – construction of commercial agreement
Sapphire (SA) Pty Ltd (trading as River City Grain) v Barry Smith Grains Pty Ltd (in liq) [2011] NSWSC 1451 (28 November 2011) (Ward J) – commercial cause re grain contracts and terms
Joel Joseph Cabides v Commonwealth of Australia [2014] NSWSC 445 (14 April 2014) (Rothman J) – case settled before trial but involved issues of life expectancy, use of statistics and high level quadriplegic
Cahill v Kenna (No 2) [2015] NSWSC 200 (17 March 2015) (McDougall J) – leading case on admissibility of expert valuation evidence
The Owners – Strata Plan 74602 v Eastmark Holdings Pty Ltd; Eastmark Holdings Pty Ltd v The Owners – Strata Plan 74602 [2015] NSWSC 1981 (24 December 2015) (Stevenson J) – building dispute involving strata mangers and obligations in relation to fire services
Le v Brown, Nguyen v Brown; Tran v Brown; Monica v Brown; Huggett v Brown (No.2) [2019] NSWSC 88 (14 February 2019) (Garling J) – complex expert evidence relating to multi vehicle accident and speed and weight of heavy motor vehicles – proceedings dismissed
Lukaszewicz v Polish Club Limited [2019] NSWSC 669 (06 June 2019) (Black J) – oppression under section 232 Corporations Act – proceedings dismissed
Welsh v Carnival PLC trading as Carnival Australia (No 1) [2016] NSWSC 1270 (09 September 2016) (Bellew J) – series of important evidentiary rulings in long running trial. plaintiff consented to judgement for defendant at end of hearing
Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd v John Holland Pty Ltd; John Holland Pty Ltd v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd (No 5); Kellogg Brown and Root Pty Ltd v John Holland Pty Ltd (No 4) [2018] NSWSC 326 (20 March 2018) (Stevenson J) complex and lengthy building and construction claim ; whether property damage sustained so as to trigger QBE policy – proceedings dismissed after lengthy trial
Bassal v Savills (NSW) Pty Limited [2019] NSWSC 696 (24 July 2019) (N Adams J) – six week trial involving complex issues of valuation of shopping centres – proceedings dismissed
Wykrota v Polish Club Ltd [2020] NSWSC 239 (16 March 2020) (Stevenson J) – oppression proceedings dismissed against Club
McMurray v AIG Insurance Australia Ltd [No 4] [2020] WASC 210 (03 June 2020) (Smith J) – lengthy and complex trial concerning fire in luxury premiss and cause of fire – subject to appeal
Metri v Nestlé Australia Ltd [2021] NSWSC 343 (07 April 2021) (Adamson J) complex issues relating to fault in module of electric forklift – proceedings dismissed (appeal expected to be diamissed)
Darshn v Avant Insurance Limited [2021] FCA 706 (25 June 2021) (Moshinsky J) – interpretation of medical insurance policy and sections 13 and 40(3) of Insurance Contracts Act – appeal to Full Court to be heard in February 2022
Please note that not all cases have been included and that many cases settle at mediation or during a trial