topic one – process, open justice and fairness procedural law · procedural law - procedural law...
TRANSCRIPT
TOPICONE–Process,OpenJusticeandFairnessProceduralLaw
- Procedurallawistheruleswhicharedirectedtogoverningorregulatingthemodeorconductofcourtproceedings:McKainvRWMiller&Co(SA)(1991)
- Regulatesthewayinwhichsubstantiverightsandobligationsareclaimedandenforced- Purposeofprocedurallawistoguaranteeproceduralfairness,achieveaccuracyindecisionmaking,
enforcementofsubstantiverights,criticaltotheperceptionoffairness,canbeusedtoaddressproblemsofcost,complexityanddelay
- Ruleoflawisputintoactionthroughtheactsofindividualsexercisingdiscretion-Discretion:makingadecisionwhenfacedbetweentwoormorealternatives-Ethicalrulesdesignedtoguidelawyersinthechoicestheymakewhenrepresentingclients
- Functionofprocedurallawistoproducecivilorder- CivilProcedureActsection56–guidingprincipleforprocedure:facilitatethejust,quickandcheapresolution
oftherealissuesintheproceedingsAdversarialModelofLitigation
- Mainfeatures:a) Partycontrolleddispute(partiesdefinethedisputeandpresentevidenceandargument)b) Useofprecedent,proceduralrulesandlawsofevidencec) Areactive,impartialjudgewhoactsasumpired) Relianceonoraltestimonyadducedfromwitnessesandsubjecttocross-examinatione) Trialistheclimacticendofthelitigationprocess,asdistinctforthepre-trialstagesofproceedings
- Commonlycontrastedtotheinquisitorialmodel:
a) Thejudge’sroleisbothproactiveandinquisitiveb) Mainsourcesoflawarecodeswithcommentaryfromlegalscholarsc) Thereareminimalrulesofcourtroompracticed) Emphasisondocumentaryproofandnotcross-examinatione) Norigidseparationbetweentrialandpre-trialphases
ReformsoftheAdversarialSystem
- Criticismoftheadversarialmodelonthegroundsitpreventsaccesstojusticeduetoitscostanddelay- Unjust,unequalandproducinginaccurateresults- LordWoolfreviewedtheadversarialsystem,recommended:
-Earlysettlementofdisputes-Greateruseofalternativedisputeresolution-Singleexpertwitnesses-Encouragingcooperationamongstlawyers-Identificationandreductionofissuesasabasisforcasepreparation-Movingtotrialasquicklyaspossible-Useofoverridingobjectivesincourtrules
InherentandImpliedJurisdiction
- Inherentpowerinsuperiorcourtsofrecordtoregulatetheirprocessesandpreventanabuseofprocess–JagovDistrictCourtofNewSouthWales
- TheDistrictandLocalcourtshavelimitedjurisdictionwhicharisesexpresslyunderstatuteorisderivedbyimplicationfromstatutoryprovisionsconferringparticularjurisdiction–GrassbyvR
- Animpliedpowermaybefoundwhereacourthasjurisdictionunderitsstatutebutnoprovisionismadeinthestatuteforthemakingofanorderwhichisnecessarytocarryoutthecourt’sstatutorypower–RvMosely
- Thereisanimpliedpowertodothatwhichisrequiredfortheeffectiveexerciseofitsjurisdiction–TKWJvTheQueen
CivilProcedureThemesBalancingCompetingObjectives[NB:Theseobjectivesarenotalwayscompeting]
- Openjusticeandfairtrial- Tensionbetweenefficiency(costanddelayreduction)andjustice- Accesstojusticeandtheroleoflitigationinsociety- Theroleofjudicialdiscretioninmanagingcases
PerceivedProblemswithCivilProcedure
- Cost-Thewaylawyerschargefortheirservices,encourageslawyerstocomplicatelitigationtoincreaserevenue-Excessivecostsmayhamperaccesstojustice-Maybeusedasatacticalweapontoforceapartywithfewerresourcestodiscontinueproceedingsoracceptalessersettlement-Casemanagementisatoolwhichattemptstominimisecosts
- Delay- Lackofaccess(usuallyduetocostanddelay)- Uncertainty- Unfairness- Excessivecomplexity
OpenJustice
- SpigelmaninJohnFairfaxPublicationsPtyLtdvDistrictCourtofNSW:“OpenjusticeisoneofthemostfundamentalaspectsofthesystemofjusticeinAustralia…noinherentpowerofthecourttoexcludethepublic”
- Accountabilityandlegitimacy- RvRichards&Bijkerk:“Publicityofproceedingsisoneofthegreatprotectionsagainsttheexerciseofarbitrary
power”
Thecourtcandepartfromtheprincipleofopenjusticeinvariousways- Thecourtcanclosethecourttothepublic(s71CivilProcedureAct)“ifthepresenceofthepublicwoulddefeat
theendsofjustice”(s71(b))orincasesconcerningtheguardianship,custodyormaintenanceofaminor(s71(c))
- Prohibitpublicationofallorpartoftheproceedings(CourtSuppressionandNon-PublicationOrdersAct2010)- Restrictaccesstoconfidentialinformationbysuppressionorder(SevenNetworkLimited&OrsvJames
Warburton[2011])- Pseudonymorders–realnamenotusedinreporting,nophotosorfilming:WitnessvWarsden(2000)- Commonlawtest:Acourtcanonlydepartfromthisrulewhereitsobservancewouldfrustratethe
administrationofjusticeorsomeotherpublicinterestforwhoseprotectionParliamenthasmodifiedtheopenjusticerule…ifitisnecessarytosecuretheproperadministrationofjusticeinproceedingsbeforeit…mustdonomorethanisnecessarytoachievethedueadministrationofjustice:McHughJAinJohnFairfax&SonsPtyLtdvPoliceTribunalofNSW(1986)
- Testofnecessitydoesnotmean‘convenient,reasonableorsensible’mustbereallynecessary:HoganvAustralianCrimeCommission(2010)
- Commonlawexceptions:protectinformers,protectnationalsecurity,blackmailandextortioncases
HoganvHinch(2011)- Facts:Hinch(radiobroadcaster)violatedasuppressionorder–peoplewerereleasedfromprisonunderSerious
SexOffendersMonitoringAct,identitiesandaddressesweresuppressed–Hinchbroadcastthenamesofthesepeople–arguedthesuppressionorderdiminishedtheintegrityofthecourtsandwasunconstitutional
- Hinch’sconductdeliberatelyfrustratedtheeffectofanorder,limitngtheabilityofthecourttoacteffectively–normallycan’tbindanon-partytotheoriginalproceedings
- PowertomakesuppressionorderswasnotincompatiblewithChapter3oftheConstitution–itmaybeinthepublicinteresttograntsuppressionorderstoensurejusticeisdone
RinehartvRinehart(2014)- Facts:GinaRineharthavingadisputewithherchildrenoveratrustfund–questionforthecourtwaswhethera
suppressionorderwasnecessarytopreventtheadministrationofjusticeoverGina’sallegedmismanagementoftheirtrustfund
- Gina’sargument:realriskofcommercialharmiforderwasrefused,potentialinvestorsmaydeclinetodealwithher/hercompany
- Held:partieshavetoacceptthepotentialfordamagetotheirreputationandconsequentialloss–therefore,nosuppressionorder-Alotoftheinformationasalreadyinthepublicdomain-Sophisticatedinvestorswouldbeabletoreadthestatementofclaimanddecidewhethertheallegationshadanybasis
FairTrial
- Courtshaveanoverridingdutytomaintainpublicconfidenceintheadministrationofjustice- Thefunctionofprovidingpropernoticeisfundamentaltothebasicrequirementofproceduralfairness- Whatconstitutesafairtrialmaybecomplexinanygivencircumstance- Elements
-Obeynaturaljustice-Fairnotice-Onusofproof
Spigelman,“Thetruthcancosttoomuch:theprincipleofafairtrial”
- Principleofafairtrialisreflectedinnumerousrulesandpractices- TheHighCourthas,overabout15years,giventheprincipleofafairtrialconsiderableemphasisand
elaboration- Moreproperlyaprinciplethanaright(inherentlyflexible,notaconstitutionalrightinAustralia)
SteadvStateGovernmentInsuranceCommission
- Facts:actionfornegligencearisingoutofamotoraccident–whethertheaccidentwasacauseoramaterialfactorintheapplicantdevelopinganeuroticconditionwasamajorissueatthetrial–defendantreliedonanexpertreportwhichtheplaintiffarguedshouldbeignored–judgeacceptedtheexpertreport–plaintiffappealedtotheHighCourt
- Appealallowed- Difficultforacourtofappealtoassessawitnesstestimony–thiswasanissuesuitablefordeterminationby
theprimaryjudge- Appealsaredesignedtoconsiderwhetherare-trialwouldresultinadifferentoutcome
MastronardivNSW
- Facts:Mastronardiwasaprisonerandwasseriouslyassaultedinhiscellbyfellowprisoners–assaultedbecausehewasrecognisedasaformersecurityguard–proceedingsagainsttheStateofNSWforfailingtoprovideprotectionagainstathreatofphysicalattack–claimrejected–appealed
- Issue:whethersomesubstantialwrongormiscarriagehadtherebybeenoccasionedtoallowfortheorderingofanewtrialpursuanttoUCPPR51.53
- Held:appellantdidnothaveatrialuntaintedbymaterialfactualerrors,hecanproperlycomplainhehasnothadhiscaseconsideredaccordingtolaw
- Substantialmiscarriageofjusticeisnotlimitedtoanassessmentoftheultimateoutcome(notinthepoweroftheCourtofAppealtomakesuchanassessment)
CrownastheModelLitigant
- Lawyersactingforthegovernmentarerequiredtoensuretheirclientactsasamodellitigant- ThecourtexpectstheCrowntopursuethepublicinterestwhenitappearsasalitigant:HughesAircraft
SystemsInternationalvAirServicesAustralia(1997)- RequirestheCrowntoavoida“purelytechnicalpointofpleading”andpursuefairness:MelbourneSteamship
CovMoorehead(1912)- Amodellitigantisrequiredtoactwithcompletepropriety,fairlyandinaccordancewithprofessionalstandards
CivilCourtSystemsStateLocalCourt
- SmallClaimsDivision:claimsuptotheamountof$10,000- GeneralDivision:claimsbetween$10,000and$100,000- Jurisdictionallimitof$60,000forpersonalinjuryclaims(section29LocalCourtAct2007)- Jurisdictiontohearcriminalsummaryprosecutions,committalhearings,somefamilylawmatters,children’s
criminalproceedings,juvenileprosecutionsDistrictCourt
- Civiljurisdictionallimitof$750,000- Unlimitedjurisdictioninclaimsfordamagesforpersonalinjuriesarisingoutofamotorvehicleaccidentora
workinjurySupremeCourtofNSW
- HighestStatecourtinNSW- OperatesundertheSupremeCourtAct1970andtheCivilProcedureAct2005- Unlimitedciviljurisdiction- ItcanhearallmattersnotwithintheexclusivejurisdictionoftheFederalCourt
FederalFederal
- RegulatedbytheFederalCourtofAustraliaAct1976(Cth)- Jurisdictionconferredbyvariousfederalstatutes- Civilmattersunderfederallaw(includingmattersarisingundertheConstitution)- Industrialdisputes,corporations,tradepractices,judicialreviewandfederaltaxmatters- Appellatejurisdictiontoherappealsfromdecisionsofsinglejudgesfromvariouscourts(Circuit,Supreme
courtsofStatesandTerritories)FederalCircuitCourt
- Dealswitharangeoflesscomplexfederaldisputes- Jurisdictionincludesfamilylawandchildsupport,admiralty,administrativelaw,bankruptcy,copyright,
consumerprotectionlawandtradepractices,privacy,migration,unlawfuldiscrimination- HasaFairWorkDivision
Family
- JurisdictionundertheFamilyLawAct1975(Cth)HighCourt
- Createdin1901- CommonwealthjudicialpowerconferredontheHighCourtunders71oftheConstitution- OriginaljurisdictionpursuanttotheConstitution(sections75and76)
-Mattersarisingunderanytreaty-Mattersaffectingconsultsorotherrepresentativesofothercountries-WheretheCommonwealthisaparty-Betweenpeopleindifferentstates-Constitutionalinterpretation
- Hasanappellatejurisdiction–canhearappealsfromtheHighCourt,federalcourts,StateSupremeCourts(HighCourtmustgivespecialleavetoappeal)
CaseManagement- Aroseasaresponsetothetwinevilsofdelayandexcessivecoststhatcouldarisefromleavingthecontrolof
litigationinthehandsofthepartieswithoutjudicialsupervision- Priortocasemanagement,delayhadbecomeaculturalnorm- Broaddiscretiongiventothecourtstomakesuchordersfortheconductofanyproceedingsasappear
convenientforthejust,quick,andcheapdisposaloftheproceedings(rule2.1)SpigelmanAC:“CaseManagementinNSW”–featuresofcasemanagement:
1) Courtmustmonitorandmanageitscaseloadandindividualcases2) Managementcannotbesuccessfulwithoutjudicialleadershipandcommitment3) Proceduresmustbeclearlyestablishedinthelegislation4) Casesmustbebroughtundercourtmanagementsoonaftertheircommencement5) Differentkindsofcasesrequiredifferentkindsofmanagement6) Thedegreeandintensityofmanagementmustbeproportionatetowhatisindisputeandtothecomplexityof
thematter7) Numberofcourtappearancesmustbeminimised8) Realisticbutexpeditioustimetablesmustbesetandadheredto9) Identifytheissuesearlyintheproceedings10) Trialdatesestablishedassoonaspracticable11) Alternativedisputeresolutionconsideredandsometimesmandated12) Monitoringofthecaseloadmustprovidetimelyandcomprehensiveinformationtojudgesandcourtofficers
involvedinmanagement13) Communicationandconsultationwithinthecourtandwithothersinvolvedinthelitigationprocessisan
ongoingprocessCivilProcedureAct2005(NSW)Sections56-59KeyIssueinCivilProcedure
Howtobalance:Speedydispositionofcasesvindividualjustice
AONvANU(2009)
- Facts:ANUcommencedproceedingsintheSupremeCourtoftheACTagainstthreeinsurers,claiminganindemnityforlossesasaresultofafire–AonwasANUsinsurancebroker–ANUsoughtanadjournmentofthetrialofitsclaimagainstAon–foreshadowedanapplicationforleavetoamendthatclaimtoaddanewclaimagainstAon
- Purposestateinrule21(UCPR)reflectsprinciplesofcasemanagement:timelydisposalofproceedingsatanaffordablecost
- Extentandeffectofdelayandcostsaretoberegardedasimportantconsiderationsintheexerciseofthecourt’sdiscretionaswellasanyprejudicewhichmightreasonablybeassumedtofollow
- Muchmaydependonthepointthelitigationhasreachedrelativetoatrialwhentheapplicationtoamendismade
- Needtoshowapplicationisbroughtingoodfaithandbringthecircumstancesgivingrisetotheamendmenttothecourt’sattention
- Inthiscase,thecourtdemandedfurtherexplanationfromANUregardingthecircumstancesgivingrisetotheamendedstatementofclaim
QldvJLHoldings(1997)
- Facts:JLHoldingssuedQLDfor60million- 6monthsuntil4-monthtrialwouldbelisted,QLDsoughtleavetoamenddefencetoaddadditionalgrounds- Aleavetoamendpleadingscanbegrantedatanystageofproceedingsatdiscretionoftrialjudge- Herejudgerefusedoncasemanagementgrounds-focusedonthedelay(1year)causedbytheamendment- QueenslandappealedtoHighCourt- Majorityfoundthat‘casemanagementisnotanendinitself.Itisanimportantandusefulaidforensuringthe
promptandefficientdisposaloflitigation.Butitoughtalwaystobeborneinmind,eveninchangingtimes,thattheultimateaimofacourtistheattainmentofjusticeandnoprincipleofcasemanagementcanbeallowedtosupplantthataim’
JackamaravKrakouer- Delaywillalmostalwaysimpedetheproperdispositionofanycasethatdoesnotcometotrialpromptly- Impedimentsmaybeovercomebuttheirpresenceisanaddedburdenforbothlitigants- Delaywillalmostalwaysaddtothecosts- Delayprolongsuncertainty
ERAvArmstrong(2013)
- Facts:inadvertentdisclosureofdocumentsbyplaintifftothedefendantaspartofdiscovery- Consideredtheoverridingpurpose(section56CPA–just,quickandcheapresolutionoftherealissuesinthe
disputeorproceedings)- CPAimposesapositivedutyuponapartyanditslegalrepresentativestofacilitatetheCPA’spurpose- Requiringthecourttoruleuponwaiverandthegrantofaninjunctivereliefinthecircumstancesinthepresent
casewasinconsistentwiththisduty–shouldhavereturnedprivilegeddocuments,privilegehadnotbeenwaived
AlternativeDisputeResolutionTypesofADR
1. Facilitative–disputeresolutionpractitionerassiststhepartiese.g.mediation,facilitationandfacilitatednegotiation
2. Advisory–disputeresolutionpractitionerconsidersandappraisesthedisputeandprovidesadvicee.g.expertappraisal,caseappraisal,casepresentation,mini-trialandearlyneutralevaluation
3. Determinative–processinwhichadisputeresolutionpractitionerevaluatesthedisputeandmakesa
determinatione.g.arbitration,expertdeterminationandprivatejudging
4. Hybrid–processesinwhichthepractitionerplaysmultiplerolese.g.wherethepractitionerfirstmediatesthenarbitrates
Arbitrationvs.MediationMediation
- MostwidelyusedformofADR- Involvesafacilitatednegotiationaimedandreachinganagreement- Aneutral3rdpartyassistsandfacilitatesanagreementbetweenthepartiesandthepartiesdon’tseekto
convincethemediatorbutratherpersuadetheotherparty- Mediatorischosenbypartiesunlessmediationisconnectedtoacourt- Compulsorymediationreferstomediationorderedbyacourtthathasthepowertoreferamatterto
mediationwithouttheparties’consent- Thedevelopmentofcompulsorymediationhasseenanincreaseinitsusebutalsogivenrisetoquestions
abouthowsuccessfulamediationwillbeifitismandatedandnotwhatthepartieswanttodoProcess
1. Mediators,partiesandanylawyersintroducethemselvesandmediatorexplainstheprocessandgroundrules2. Openingstatementsbyeachpartyinwhichtheyexpresstheirviewofthedisputeandtheissuesinvolved3. Identificationofissuesanddevelopmentofanagenda4. Mediatorssupporttheexplorationofissues5. Confidentialprivatesessionsinwhichthemediatorcantestordevelopoptions6. Evaluationofoptionsoroffers7. Partiesnegotiateanagreementorterminatethemediation8. Ifparticipantsagreeonsomeoralloftheissuesanagreementispreparedandsigned
Arbitration
- Quasi-judicialprocesswheredisputeissubmittedtoanarbitrationwhorendersabindingdetermination- Partiesmayagreetoarbitrationattheoutsetofdealingse.g.contractwithanarbitrationclause,ormaybe
privatelyagreedto,orsomethingmandatedbylaworcourtontheparties- Itisanadversarialprocesswherearbitratoractsinajudicialmanner–hearsevidenceandmakesanaward- Courtmayorderthatproceedingsbeforeitbereferredfordeterminationbyarbitration(s38CPA)
AdvantagesandDisadvantagesofADRAdvantages
- Savestimeandmoneybyallowingresolutioninashortertimeframewhencomparedwithcourtprocesses- Greaterflexibilityinoptionsforresolutionandremedies(partieshavemoresay)- Preserverelationships- Keepprivatedisputesprivate- Whateverissaidbyalitigantinanunsuccessfulmediationcannotbeusedasevidenceinanylaterproceedings
–designedtofacilitatethegenuinenegotiationofsettlements:section30CPA- Canpermitmoreparticipationandencouragecooperation- Settlementratesoftenveryhigh(between50and85%)
Disadvantages
- Compromise:indisputesofaseriousnature,compromisemaynotbeanoption- Settlementsarenotinthepublicrecordandthereforenotexposedtopublicscrutiny- UnsuccessfulADRresultsinlitigation–inevitablyaddingonsubstantialcoststotheentireprocess- Lackofcourtprotectionsandenforceability- Delayingtactics- Inequalityinbargainingpowermorepronounced
Section26oftheCivilProcedureAct2005(1)Ifitconsidersthecircumstancesappropriate,thecourtmay,byorder,referanyproceedingsbeforeit,orpartofanysuchproceedings,formediationbyamediator,andmaydosoeitherwithorwithouttheconsentofthepartiestotheproceedingsconcerned.(2)Themediationistobeundertakenbyamediatoragreedtobythepartiesorappointedbythecourt,whomay(butneednotbe)alistedmediator.(2A)Withoutlimitingsubsections(1)and(2),thecourtmayreferproceedingsorpartofproceedingsformediationundertheCommunityJusticeCentresAct1983.(3)Inthissection,"listedmediator"meansamediatorappointedinaccordancewithapracticenotewithrespecttothenominationandappointmentofpersonstobemediatorsforthepurposesofthisPart.CostsofLitigation
- Costsimpactonaccesstojustice–canplacelitigationbeyondthereachofthosewhocannotafford,orcannotaffordtorisk,thecostimplicationsofresolvingdisputes
- Theimpositionofcostsduringthecourseofanactionisatthetotaldiscretionofthecourt- Costsarenotintendedtopunishbutareintendedtocompensatethesuccessfulpartyforthesolicitor’s
professionalcostsanddisbursements(nottravel,losttimeetc.)- Costscanalsobeusedasamechanismtoencouragesettlement- Thecourtcantakeintoaccountanyfailureoftheparties’dutytoassistthejust,quickandcheapresolutionof
therealissues[statutoryduty–CPAs56(3)and(4)]- UCPRr42.10–thecourthasthepowertoorderapartywhofailstocomplywiththerulesoranyorderofthe
court,topaysuchoftheotherparties’costsasareoccasionedbythefailure- OrdinaryCosts:coststhatcourtusuallyordersonepartytopayanotherparty- IndemnityCosts:allcostsincurred
PriestvNSW[2007]
- Applicationconcerningdiscoverabilityofdocuments- Costorderagainstthegovernmentfornotactingasamodellitigant- Governmentalbodies,includingtheCommonwealthofAustraliaorStateofNewSouthWalesoughttobe
regardedashavingmodellitigantobligationsextendingbeyondthoseoftheprivatelitigant- Defendantheldtonothavedischargeditsobligationsunders56oftheCPAorunderitsmodellitigant
obligations
ProposalsforContainingCosts
- Costscapping:maximumamountofcostspartiescanrecover- Stopwatchtrials–hasbeentrialled,therearelimitationsofthisapproach(timelimitsoneachstageofthe
trial)- Costscanbeawardedagainstthelegalpractitioner- Alawyermustreasonablybelievebasedonthefactsandthelawthattherearereasonableprospectsof
success- Preventlawyersfromtakingonhopelesscases
LawyersEthicalObligationstotheProcessCivilProcedureActSection56
(1) TheoverridingpurposeofthisAct…istofacilitatethejust,quickandcheapresolutionoftherealissuesintheproceedings
(2) Thecourtmustseektogiveeffecttotheoverridingpurposewheninterpretinganyprovisionofstatutoryrules(3) Apartytocivilproceedingsisunderadutytoassistthecourttofurthertheoverridingpurpose(4) Solicitors,barristersandanypersonwitharelevantinterestintheproceedingsmustnot,bytheirconduct,
causeapartytoproceedingstobeputinbreachofaduty(5) TheCourtmaytakeintoaccountanyfailure…inexercisingadiscretionwithrespecttocosts
LegalProfessionUniformLawAustralianSolicitors’ConductRules2015- Alawyer’sparamountdutyistothecourtandtheadministrationofjusticeandprevailstotheextentofany
inconsistencywithanyotherduty:Rule3.1- Includeslimitinghearingstotherealissuesindisputeandpresentingtheclient’scaseasquicklyandsimply
consistentwithitsrobustadvancements- Asolicitormustactinthebestsinterestsofaclient,behonestinalldealings,delivercompetentandprompt
legalservicesandavoidanycompromisetotheirintegrityandprofessionalindependence:Rule4LegalProfessionUniformLawApplicationAct2014(NSW)
- Obligationonlegalrepresentatives- Schedule2.2(1)-Alawpracticemustnotprovidelegalservicesonaclaimordefenceofaclaimfordamages
unlessalegalpractitionerorassociatedresponsiblefortheprovisionofservicesreasonablybelievesonthebasisofprovablefactsandareasonablyarguableviewofthelawthattheclaimorthedefencehasreasonableprospectsofsuccess
- Mayconstituteprofessionalmisconduct–notacriminaloffence- Costordersmaybemadeagainstalawpracticethatactswithoutreasonableprospectsofsuccessandthose
costsarenotrecoverablefromtheclient:Schedule2.5- Acourtmayordercostsagainstalegalpractitioner:s99CPA
TOPICTHREE–MattersPrecedingLitigation1. Whentocommence–limitationperiods2. Wheretocommence–whichcourthasjurisdiction3. Whotocommenceagainst–preliminarydiscovery4. Whattocommencewith–originatingprocess:statementofclaim,summons,commercialliststatement5. Howtoserveoriginatingprocess
IssuestoConsider
- Thecauseofactionandremedies- Evidencerequiredtoprovethecauseofaction- Disadvantagesoflitigation(uncertain,timeconsumingandcostly)- Whetherthepartyhasthefundstolitigatethematter- Whetherthepotentialdefendanthastheassetstosatisfythejudgment
Jurisdiction
- Prospectiveplaintiffwillneedtoidentifywhichcourthasjurisdictiontohearthematter- Allwilldependonthesubjectmatterandvalueoftheclaim- IftheplaintiffseeksequitablereliefthenitcanonlybegrantedbytheSupremecourt(DistrictCourthassome
equitablejurisdiction)- Ifapartyseeksalegislativeremedy,itmustsueinthecourtortribunalspecifiedbythelegislation- Originaljurisdictionofcourts–identifiedintopicone(“civilcourtsystems”)
Cross-Vesting
- Legislationintroducedtoaccountforcircumstanceswheremultiplemattersinadisputemeantplaintiff’shadtopleadseparatecasesinseparatecourts
- StatescannotconferjurisdictioninStatemattersontheFederalandFamilyCourt(ReWakim)- ConferralofFederaljurisdictiononStatecourts- Cross-vestingofStatejurisdictionamongStatecourts- Transferofproceedingsbetweencourtsparticipatinginthescheme(transfertothemostappropriatecourt)
BHPBillitonvShultz
- Facts:Schultzsufferedfromasbestosisandasbestos-relatedpleuraldiseaseandsuedBHPfornegligence,breachofcontractandbreachofstatutorydutyintheDustDiseasesTribunalofNewSouthWales
- Pursuanttosection5JurisdictionoftheCourts(Cross-Vesting)ActappliedtoremoveproceedingsfromtheTribunaltotheSupremecourtofNSWandthentransferthemtotheSupremeCourtofSA
- Applicationwasrefused–wentonappealtotheHighCourt- Plaintiff’schoiceofTribunalandthereasonsforitarenottobetakenintoaccountindeterminingwhether
proceedingsshouldbetransferredtoanothercourt- Factorsrelevanttothechoiceofforum:
-Placewherethepartiesresideorcarryonbusiness-Locationofsubjectmatterofthedisputes-Importanceoflocalknowledgetotheresolutionoftheissues-Lawgoverningtherelevanttransaction-Proceduresavailableindifferentcourts-Likelyhearingdatesinthedifferentcourts-Whetheritissoughttotransfertheproceedingstoaspecializedcourt
PreliminaryDiscovery
- Orderforpreliminarydiscoveryismadebeforethecommencementofproceedings- Part5oftheUCPRhasexpandedtheambitofpreliminarydiscoveryorderstoincludeanyinformationthat
couldassistapartytodeterminewhethertheyshouldcommenceanaction- Anorderforpreliminarydiscoverycanrequiredocumentstobeproducedand/orapersontobeorally
examinedincourt- Thejudgehasdiscretiontomakeanorderunderparty5oftheUCPR- Ifthesubstantiveproceedingshavenotyetcommenced,theorderwouldbesoughtbyfilingasummons- Preliminarydiscoveryforidentityorwhereabouts:UCPRrule5.2- Preliminarydiscoveryfordecidingwhetherornottocommenceproceedings:UCPRrule5.3
RTAvAustralianNationalCarParks- Facts:ANCPoperatedcarparksandrequiredentrantstoobtainanddisplayaticketorpass–someentrants
parkedwithoutdoingso–defendantwishedtosuethemincontracts–anyclaimbroughtagainstthedriverofthecarwouldinvolvelessthan$100
- RespondentsoughtpreliminarydiscoveryfromtheRTAforthenames/addressesofallvehicles–UCPRrule5.2- Applicantmustbeunabletosufficientlyascertaintheidentityorwhereaboutsoftheintendeddefendant
despitehavingmadereasonablyinquiries-HavingothermeansofascertainmentdoesnotmakeitunreasonabletomakeaclaimunderUCPR-Cost,delayanduncertaintyisrelevanttotherule’s“reasonableinquiries”
- Applicantmustshowtherespondentmayhaveorhavehadinformationintheirpossession- Held:RTAorderedtoprovidepreliminarydiscovery
-Informationwouldassisttherespondentinitstaskofestablishingthedriverontheday-Furtherinquiriesmaybenecessary-Doesnotmeantheinformationlacksforensicworth
HatfieldvTCNChannelNine
- Facts:applicantsoughtordersthattherespondentsgivepreliminarydiscoveryofanepisodeof,andthetranscriptofanyepisodeoftheTVseries“underbelly”todeterminewhethershehadaclaimindefamationandwhethershemightbeentitledtoanurgentinjunction–UCPRrule5.3
- Trialjudgerejectedtheclaim- Onappeal,theevidencesatisfiedallrequirementsoftheUCPR–matterofjudicialdiscretion- TheTVshowrepresents"faction"(fact/fiction,factualeventswithabitofembellishmentorinterpretation),
andisbasedoneventswhichwerealreadymadewellknown(andpublicdomain)inaRoyalCommissionsome15yearsbefore
- TheDefamationActdoesnotseektoplaceunreasonablelimitsonfreespeechorfreedomofexpression- Appealwasdismissed
RinehartvNineEntertainmentCoHoldingsLtd
- Facts:GinaRinehartsoughtpreliminarydiscoveryofanepisodeofthedefendant’sminiserieswhichportrayedincidentsofthelifeofRinehart
- ApplicationwasgrantedgiventhepossibilityofseriousdefamationLimitationPeriods
- Limitationperiod:thetimeperiodwithinwhichtobringaclaim- Dictatedbyvariousstatutes- Rationaleforimposinglimitationperiods–McHughJinBrisbaneSouthRegionalHealthAuthorityvTaylor
-Wherethereisdelay,thequalityofjusticedeteriorates-Important,decisiveevidencemaydisappearwithoutpeopleknowingiteverexisted-Oppressivetoadefendanttoallowanactiontobebroughtlongafterthecircumstanceswhichgaverisetoit-Businesseshaveaninterestinknowingtheyhavenoliabilitiesbeyondadefiniteperiod-Publicinterestrequiresdisputesbesettledasquicklyaspossible
- Limitationperiodsareamatterofsubstantive,notprocedural,law- Thecauseofactionwillbeunenforceableifbroughtoutsidethelimitationperiod- Aplaintiffmaybeabletoapplyforanextensionoftimewithinwhichtobringtheirclaim
SpecificLimitationPeriods
CauseofAction Period(LimitationAct1969(NSW))Contract 6yearsfromthedateonwhichthecauseofactionaccruestothe
plaintiff–s14(1)(a)àE.g.fromdateofbreachTortGeneral 6yearsfromthedateonwhichthecauseofactionaccruestothe
plaintiff–s14(1)(b)Breachoftrustorrecoveryoftrustproperties 6yearsfromthedateonwhichthecauseofactionaccruestothe
plaintiff–s48Causeofactionfoundedonadeed 12yearsfromthedateonwhichthecauseofactionaccruestothe
plaintiff–s16Recoveryofland 12yearsfromthedateonwhichthecauseofactionaccruestothe
plaintiff–s27(2)Defamation 1yearfromthedateonwhichthecauseofactionaccruestothe
plaintiff–s14B
Personalinjury(after5December2002) 3yearsfromthedateonwhichthecauseofactionisdiscoverablebytheplaintiffor12yearsrunningfromthetimeoftheactoromissionallegedtohaveresultedintheinjuryordeath,whicheverperiodisthefirsttoexpire–s50C(1)(a)or50C(1)(b)
Workinjury 3yearsafterthedateonwhichtheinjurywasreceived–s151DWorkersCompensationAct1987(NSW)
Motoraccident 3yearsafterthedateofthemotoraccident–s109MotorAccidentsCompensationAct1999(NSW)
Baker-MorrisonvStateofNewSouthWales[2009]NSWCA
- Facts:May262004plaintiff(2)wasinjuredatGosfordpolicestation–takentohospitalandrequiredanamputationofpartofherrightringandlittlefingersandsomereconstructionoftendons–motherconsultedasolicitor,whowrotetothepolicestationconcerningaclaimfordamages–solicitorinspectedandphotographedtheoffendingdoorJune42004
- 21June2007(3yearsand26daysaftertheincident)astatementofclaimwassealedandissued,itwasservedon29June2007
- TheStatesoughttohavetheclaimstruckoutpursuanttos50C–statutebarred- Issuefordeterminationonappeal:
-Whetherthecauseofactionwas“discoverable”bytheplaintiff’smotherwithinthe26-dayperiodaftertheaccident-Whethertheplaintiff’smotherwasawarethattheinjurytoherdaughterwascausedbythefaultofthedefendantandthattheinjurywassufficientlyserioustojustifythebringingofanaction
- PlaintiffsucceededPreservationOrders
- Prospectivepartymayobtaincourtorders(an“interiminjunction”)tosearchforandpreserveevidence- Canbeobtainedonanexpartebasis(intheabsenceoftheotherparty)
-Ifyou’retryingtopreventthedestroyingofevidence,forexample,theymaydestroyituponreceivingnoticeoftheorder
1. AntonPillerOrders(SearchOrders)
- NamedafterAntonPillerKGvManufacturingProcessesLtd[1976]- Authorisetheseizureofdocumentsandotherevidence- Courtmustappointindependentsolicitorstosupervisesearchorders:Rule25.23- Usualundertakingastodamages:Rule25.8
Purpose:topermitpersonstoenterpremisesandsearchfor,inspect,copyandremovethingsdescribedinthesearchorder.ItisdesignedtopreserveimportantevidencependingthehearingoftheclaimRequirements:UCPR25.20
(a) Applicanthasastrongprimafaciecase(b) Potentialforloss/damagetoapplicantseriousifordernotmade(c) Importantevidenceandrealpossibilityofdestruction
AustressFreyssinetPtyLtdvJoseph[2006]
- Plaintiffallegeddefendantusedconfidentialmaterialtostealcustomforhisownnewbusiness- Gainedsearchorderexpartebutdefendantappliedtohaveitsetaside- Verystrongprimafaciecase,evidencethatdefendanthademaileddocumentstohishomecomputerand
deletedthemwhenconfronted- Ordermodifiedsothatonlytheplaintiff’ssolicitorscouldcarryoutthesearch
2. MarevaInjunction(FreezingOrders)
- NamedafterMarevaCompaniaNavieraSAvInternationalBulkCarriersSA[1975]- Preventsapartyfromdisposingofassetstofrustratetheenforcementofajudgment- Derivesfromthecourt’sinherentequitablejurisdiction- Mustbearealriskthatanyjudgmentintheproceedingsmaynotbesatisfied
Purpose:topreventfrustrationorabuseoftheprocessofthecourt
- Extraordinaryinterimremedybecauseitrestrictstherighttodealwithassets- Canbemadeagainst3rdparties:CardilevLEDBuildersPtyLtd(1999)
Requirements
- Plaintiffmustprovide- -Detailsofthejudgmentortheun-litigatedcauseofactiononwhichtheapplicationisbased- -Detailsofthenatureandthevalueofassetstobethesubjectoftheorder- UCPR25.11
-Plaintiffmustshowtheorderisnecessarytopreventthefrustrationorinhibitionofthecourt’sprocesses-Thiscanbedonebydemonstratingthatthereisadangerthatjudgmentmaynotbesatisfied
- Plaintiffmustshowtheyhaveagood,arguablecase:Rule24.14(1)(b)- Anapplicantforanexpartefreezingorderisunderadutytodiscloseallmaterialfactstothecourt- Usualundertakingastodamages:Rule25.8
JacksonvSterlingIndustriesLtd(1987)- AppellantorderedbyFederalCourttoprovidesecurityof$3mtoFederalCourt- Wentbeyondwhatwaspermissible- Normallypartymustfirstobtainjudgmentandthenenforceit- Ordershouldnothavebeenmadeasprovidingsecurityintocourt
OriginatingProcess–SummonsorStatementofClaim
- Originatingprocessmeanstheprocessbywhichproceedingsarecommenced,andincludestheprocessbywhichacross-claimismade
- InNSWproceedingsarecommencedbyeitherasummonsorastatementofclaim- Thedateoffilingtheoriginatingprocessisconclusiveforthepurposesofanylimitationperiod- Iftheplaintiffusesthewrongoriginatingprocess,therearerulesthattaketheproceedingstohavebeenduly
commencedandprovidethecourtwiththepowertomakeappropriateorders:Rule6.5,6.6- Aftertheoriginatingprocesshasbeenserved,thedefendanthastheopportunitytorespondwithan
appearanceordefencebyusingtheprescribedform- Afailuretoservetheoriginatingprocesswithintheprescribedtimedoesnotpreventtheplaintifffrom
commencingfreshproceedingsviaaneworiginatingprocess:Rule6.2(5)- Statementofclaimisusuallyrequiredwhentheactioninvolvesdisputedcontentionsoffact- Summonsisusuallyrequiredwherethereisaquestionoflawatissue(initiatesasummaryprocedure)- Summonsandstatementofclaimmustbepersonallyservedonthedefendant- Validforservicefor6monthsafterthedateonwhichitwasfiledintheSupremeCourtorLocalCourt(1month
inDistrictCourt)–canbeextendedbyorderofcourtStatementofClaimMustinclude:
- Court,parties(name,addresses,contactdetails),typeofclaim,reliefclaimed(damages,interest,costs),pleadingsandparticulars,plaintiff’slegalrepresentativeandtheircontactdetails
- Noticetodefendanttellingthemiftheydonotfileadefencewithin28daysofbeingservedthentheywillbefoundindefaultintheproceedingsandjudgemayenterjudgmentagainstthemwithoutanyfurthernoticetothem
CanRespondby:
- Filingadefenceorcross-claimiftheyintendtodisputetheclaim- Wheremoneyisowed,defendantmaychoosetopayallorpartofthemoneyclaimed)
Service- Serviceisthetermusedformethodsofalertingpeoplethatthereareproceedingsagainstthem- Serviceisthefoundationofjurisdiction- Itisanessentialrequirementofnaturaljustice–othersidemustbeawareoftheproceedingstoexercise
entitlementtobeheard- Purposeofserviceistobringproceedingstotheattentionofthedefendant:UnitedGroupResourcesPtyLtd
ABN17114888201vCalabro(No4)[2010]- Apartywhofilesadocumentmustassoonaspracticableservecopiesoneachotheractiveparty:Rule10.1- Adocumentisfiledwhenitislodgedatthecourtregistry–stampedwiththecourtsealandthenservedonthe
defendant- Adocumentcanalsobefiledduringcourtproceedings- ServicecanbeprovedbyfilinganaffidavitofserviceinaccordancewithRule35.8
-Astatementastowhen,where,howandbywhomservicewaseffected-Astatementasnearaspracticabletotheactualwordsusedbythepersontowhomtheprocesswasdelivered-Astatementthatthepersonmakingtheaffidavitisovertheageof16years
VariousMethodsofService–UCPR10.5(1)PersonalService
- Wherepersonalserviceisrequired:Rule10.20- Howpersonalserviceiseffected:Rule10.21- Personalservicerequirementsmaybedispensedofifaparty’ssolicitoracceptsservice–mustmakeanotation
onthedocumentthatheorshehasacceptedserviceonbehalfofthepersonbeingserved:Rule10.13- If,byviolenceorthreatofviolence,apersonattemptingserviceispreventedfromapproachinganotherperson
forthepurposeofdeliveringadocumenttotheotherperson,thepersonattemptingservicemaydeliverthedocumenttotheotherpersonbyleavingitasnearaspracticabletothatotherperson:GraczykvGraczyk
- Corporationscanbeservedpersonallybypostagetoaregisteredoffice:s109X(1)(a)oftheCorporationsAct2001
ServicebyAgreement,AcknowledgmentorUndertaking–UCPR10.6
- Acontractcanstipulateanagreementthatserviceinregardtojudicialproceedingswillbeeffectedinaccordancewiththecontractratherthantherulesofthecourt
- SuchanagreementmustspecificallypertaintothemodeofserviceSubstitutedandInformalService–UCPR10.14
- Thecourt’spowertomakeanorderforsubstitutedservicedependsontheapplicantestablishingtheimpracticabilityofserviceinaccordancewiththerules
- Courtmustalsobesatisfiedthatthemethodofsubstitutedservicesoughtisinallreasonableprobabilityislikelytobringtheproceedingstotheknowledgeofthedefendant
- OrdersaretypicallymadewherethedefendanthasbeenevadingserviceThresholdRequirements
- Evidenceshouldbeputforwardthatpriorattemptstoserveinaccordancewiththerulesfailedorthatsuchservicewouldbefutile-Merecostorinconveniencewillnotbepersuasive-Affidavitevidencewillneedtoexplainbyserviceisnotpracticableorwhypreviousattemptsfailed
- Evidenceshowingthatthesubstitutedserviceisreasonablylikelytobringtheproceedingstothedefendant’sattention
FloRidavMothershipMusicPtyLtd[2013]- Courtheldthattherewasinsufficientevidencetoestablishtheimpracticabilityofservice- AnorderforsubstitutedservicewasmadeintheDistrictCourt–FloRida’sappealwasupheldintheNew
SouthWalesCourtofAppeal–orderforsubstitutedserviceshouldnothavebeenmade- Issueinquestion:whetherUCPRr10.14permittedthemakingofanorderforsubstitutedservice- EvidencesuggestsFloRidawasinAustraliawhentheorderforsubstitutedservicewasmade- Orderoughtnottohavebeenmadeintheabsenceofevidencethatthemeansofsubstitutedservice
sanctionedbytheorderwerelikelytobringserviceofthestatementofclaimtoFloRida’sattentionwhilsthewasinAustralia
- Hadtheeffectoforderingsubstitutedserviceonadefendantwhowasoverseasandnotlawfullyabletobepersonallyservedoverseas
- Theevidencedidnotestablish,otherthanbymereassertion,thattheFacebookpagewasinfactthatofFloRideanddidnotprovethatpostingonitwaslikelytocometohisattentioninatimelyfashion
- Substitutedservicebyemail–intendedrecipientsoftheemailswerenotidentifiedintheorderBulldogsRugbyLeagueClubvWilliams[2008]
- Facts:SonnyBillWilliamswasallegedtohavebreachedhiscontracttoplayRugbyLeaguefortheBulldogs–leftAustraliatoplayinFrance–commencedproceedingsbywayofsummonsagainstWilliamsintheSupremeCourtofNSW–summonsproveddifficulttoservepersonally
- Courtwasinformed,indetail,ofthefailedattemptstoeffectpersonalservice- Substitutedserviceordered(Sydneyaddress,Franceaddress,textmessages)- Substantialcompliancewiththeseorders- Personalservicewasultimatelyachieved
AppearanceAppearance
- Apartymaynottakeanystepintheproceedingwithoutenteringanappearance- Havingreceivedthestatementofclaim,thedefendantmustfileanoticeofappearancewithin28days:Rule
6.10- Havingreceivedasummons,thedefendantmustfileanoticeofappearancebeforethereturndatestatedon
thesummons- Defendantmustservetheirappearanceontheplaintiff
-Thiswaivedobjectiontoanyfailureswithserviceoforiginatingprocessandindicatedsubmissiontojurisdiction-Serveontheplaintiff’saddressforserviceasindicatedontheoriginatingprocess
- Ifdefendantwishestoobject,shouldusenoticeofmotionwithoutenteringanappearance:Rule12.11- Adefendantwhofilesadefenceistakentohaveenteredanappearanceintheproceedings:Rule6.9(2)- Whereadefendantfilesanappearance:
-Statementofclaim:preventstheplaintifffromenteringadefaultjudgment-Summons:preventstheplaintifffromseekingjudgmentforthereliefclaimed
- Ifthedefendantwishestoobjecttothejurisdictionororiginatingprocess,anoticeofmotionshouldbefiled:Rule12.11
GhoshvNinemsnPtyLtd[2014]- Respondenthadnotfiledanoticeofappearanceastheydisputedproperservice- Courtfoundtheyhadappearedandevenobtainedafavourablecostsorderandwererequiredtofilenoticeof
appearancepursuanttoUCPR6.1- Courtdoesn’thavemuchsympathywithserviceargumentswhenyouknowaboutproceedings:consider
overallpurposeofserviceistobringproceedingstotheattentionofthedefendant3TypesofAppearances
1. Conditionalappearance–defendantonlyappeartocontestrightofcourtorparty2. Unconditionalappearance–defendantacceptscourt’sjurisdictionbutconteststheplaintiff’sclaim3. Submittingappearance–defendantsubmitstocourt’sdecision.Noactiveroleinlitigation(uncommon)
TOPICFOUR–PleadingsandParticularsPleadings
- Pleadingsareformaldocumentsexchangedindicatingtheclaimsanddefences,filedintheregistryofthecourtorincourt
- UCPRdictionaryindicatesthat‘pleading’includesastatementofclaim,across-claim,adefence,adefencetocross-claims,areplyandanysubsequentpleadingforwhichleaveisgrantedunderpart14–doesnotincludeasummonsornoticeofmotion
- Applicabletomattersbeingdealtwithattrial(asopposedtomattersbeingdealtwithbysummarydetermination)
- Pleadingsarebindingontheparties- Oncethestatementofclaimhasbeenfiledandservedonthedefendant,ifthedefendantdoesnot‘traverse’
bydenyingorbymakingastatementofnon-admissioninregardtoeachofthefactualallegationsinthestatementofclaim,thosefactsaredeemedtobeadmitted
- Afterthedefencehasbeendeliveredthelastunansweredpleadingisdeemedtobedeniedunlessfurtherpleadingsareserved
- Pleadingsmaybeamendedduringtrial- Acourtmaydecidebasedontheevidencethatthecauseofactionhasbeenpleadeddefectively
ObjectiveofPleadings
- Provideapermanentrecordoftheboundariesofthecaseandallowthecourttoknowtheissuesintheproceedings
- Canpreventlitigationatalaterdateonthesameissues- Providesufficientinformationtothepartiestoalloweachofthemafairopportunitytomeettheissuesin
proceedings- Expressionoftheadversarialsystem–partiesdefinethedispute- Admissionstopleadingscanbeimportanttosavingtimeandmoney- Limittheextentofdiscoveryandinterrogatoriesandgoverntheextentoftherelevantevidence- Apartycanonlypresentacasetoacourtonthebasisoftheirpleadings- Ifevidencearisesbeyondthescopeofthepleadingsinthetrialdoesn’tmeanthecasecan’tbedecidedonthat
basis–theothersidehastobegivenafairopportunitytorespondtothatevidenceMatterstobePleadedPlaintiff
- Theparties- Thematerialfacts,substantiatingeachelementofeachcauseofaction- Materialfacts:criticalfactstosupportingeachoftheelementofeachcauseofaction- Shouldnotcontainmereallegationsorconclusionsoflaw- Evidenceisthemeansbywhichmaterialfactsareprovedandshouldnotbepleaded- Particulars- Ifcertainmaterialfactsaren’tpleaded,theresultis‘surprise’,dealtwithunderUCPRr14.14- Remedies(relief)
Defendant
- Whatthedefendantadmits,doesnotadmitordenies(doesnotadmit:notwithintheirknowledge)- Materialfactssubstantiatingeachelementofeachcauseofaction- Particulars- Defencesrequiringapositivepleading
DraftingPleadings
- Form–numberedparagraphs(14.6)- Asbriefaspossible(14.8)- Materialfactsnotevidence(14.7)- Referencesinpleadingstodocumentsandspokenworks(14.9)- Pleadingstobeconsistentastoallegationsoffact(14.18)- Pleadingsmayraiseapointoflaw(14.19)- Mustpleadspecifically(14.14)
NoSurprisesGlovervAustralianUltraConcreteFloorsPtyLtd[2003]NSWCA80
- Plaintiffclaimeddamagesforworkinjury,lostattrial–appealed- Defendant’spleadingsimpliedacceptanceofplaintiff’sversionoftheaccident,didnotadmitnegligence- Giventheimpressionhewouldbechallengingwhetherplaintiff’sversionofeventsconstitutednegligence- Caseattrial–defendantallegingtheplaintiff’sclaimisfraudulentbuthadnotputthisintheirpleadings- Plaintifftakenbysurpriseattrial,contrarytothesurpriserule- “Cardsonthetable”approach
JoinderofIssue
- Jointmeanstakeissue/disputeamatter- Anexpressjoinderofissue(forexample,“Theplaintiffjoinsissueonthedefendant’sdefence”or“Theplaintiff
joinsissueonthedefendant’sdefenceexceptforparas1to5inclusivewhichareadmitted”)operatesasadenialastoeveryallegationoffactinthepreviouspleadingotherthanthoseexpresslyadmitted:r14.27(1)and(6)
- Thereisanimpliedjoinderofissueifthereisnoreplytoadefenceornoanswertoasubsequentpleading:r14.27(2)and(3).Animpliedjoinderofissueoperatesasadenialofeveryallegationoffactmadeinthepleadingtowhichitrelates:r14.27(5).
Particulars
- Whereaspleadingscovermaterialfacts,particularsaredetailsofthosefacts- Theyareprovidedeitherinthestatementofclaimordefence,orprovidedseparately- Particularslimitthegeneralityofpleadingssoastomoresharplydefinetheissuesbutdonotmodifythecause
ofaction- Submissionmustprovideallparticulars‘asarenecessarytoenabletheoppositepartytoidentifythecasethat
thepleadingrequireshimorhertomeet’(UCPR15.1)- Sobasicallypleadings=materialfacts,particulars=detailsofthosefacts- E.g. Pleading: ‘I tripped and fell.’ Particulars: ‘This occurred at Woolworths on December 20th 1993 in the
presenceof50othercustomers.’Etc.- E.g.Pleading:‘Statementwasmadeconfirmingthecarwassafe.’Particulars:‘Thiswassaidbythemanagerof
thecompanyon20thofDecembertomeandmyhusband.’ DefectivePleadingsPleadingsaredefectiveiftheydonotcomplywiththeUCPR
a) Notincorrectform(14.5)b) Pleadevidence(14.7)c) Notspecificorbrief(14.14/14.8)d) Inconsistentallegationsoffact(14.18)e) Noreasonablecauseofaction(14.28)f) Prejudice,embarrassmentordelay(14.28)g) Abuseofprocess(14.28)h) Frivolous,vexatious,abuseofprocess,noreasonablecauseofaction(13.4)
Consequencesofdefectivepleadings
1. Strikingoutpleadingsàpleadingscanbestruckoutifdonotdiscloseareasonablecauseofactionoradefence,ifithastendencytocauseprejudice,embarrassmentordelayintheproceedingsorisotherwiseanabuseofthecourt’sprocess(Rule14.28)
2. Dismissalcanbeordered(UCPR13.4)ifproceedingsarefrivolousorvexatiousornoreasonablecauseofactionisdisclosed,ortheproceedingsareanabuseoftheprocessofthecourt
PriestvNSW
- Pleadingsconsideredembarrassingbecauseitwasambiguous,unintelligibleortoovagueorgeneral- Embarrassment:pleadingsusceptibletovariousmeanings
AshbyvSlipper- Slipper’sallegedmisconduct–governmentexpenseaccountfraudandsexualharassment- Counselarguedproceedingswereanabuseofprocess(broughtforthepurposeofapoliticalattack)- Irrelevant,scandalousallegationscalculatedtoinjureSlipper- Firstinstance:abuseofprocess- Decisionwasappealed- Ashbyeventuallydiscontinuedproceedings
AmendmentofPleadings
- Maybenecessaryifapartymakesamistake,wanttoaddapartyorcauseofactionorfactordefence,fixerror/mistake
- Aplaintiffmay,withoutleave,amendastatementofclaimoncewithin28daysoffilinghoweverifadatehasbeenfixedfortrialwithinthattimeanorderfromthecourtisrequiredtoamendthestatementofclaim
- Ifthestatementofclaimisamendedafterthedefendanthasalreadyfiledadefence,thedefendantmayamendthedefencewithin14daysafteraserviceoftheamendedstatementofclaim(Rule19.2)
- AmendingastatementofclaimisdealtwithintheUCPR- Themainpoweravailabletoamenddocumentsissections64and65oftheCPA- Courthasbroaddiscretionallowamendmentsasjusticerequires,subjecttotheir‘overridingpurposeof
efficiency’(section56ofCPA),prejudice,costsandeffectonpublicresources- Theoverridingpurposeofefficiencyandstuff(asdealtwithinAonvANU)hastobebalancedwithpurposeof
justiceinordertodeterminewhethertheyallowforamendmentofpleadings- Modeofamendment:UnderRules19.5and19.6,modeofamendmentrequiresthefilingofafreshdocument
thatindicatesamendmentsviaunderlineorsomethingAonvANU(2009)
- Thirddayof4-weektrialandplaintiffappliesforadjournmentandleavetoamenditsstatementofclaimtoaddasubstantialnewclaimagainstD
- HCAsaidtheyweren’tallowedbecauseitwouldbecontrarytotheoverridingpurposeofefficiency- Showshowthe‘overridingpurposerule’works
ReasonableProspectsofSuccess
- Section347ofLegalProfessionsAct2004placesrestrictionsoncommencingproceedingswithoutreasonableprospectsofsuccess(seelegislationsection)
- Section348providesthatcostordercanbemadeagainstlawpracticeactingwithoutreasonableprospectsofsuccess
- However, costs are only intended to compensate the party for the solicitor’s professional costs anddisbursements such as barristers’ fees in conducting the case. They are not intended as a dividend or as apunishment.
- However,inLemoto[2005]NSWCA153,McCollJAfoundthat‘reasonablemindsmaydiffer’- Section99CPAgoesintoliabilityoflegalpractitionerforunnecessarycosts
TreadwellvHickey[2010]
- Withoutreasonableprospectsofsuccessmeans‘solackinginmeritorsubstanceastobenotfairlyarguable’ - ‘Reasonablebelief’astotheprospectsofsuccessmusthaveitsobjectivefoundationinmaterialavailabletothe
practitionerattherelevanttime - Authoritiesshowthatacostorderundersection348oftheLegalProfessionActisnottobelightlyimposedupon
apractitionerwhohasrepresentedanunsuccessfulpartytoaproceeding - Thereisahighthreshold,whichmustbesatisfiedbeforethecourtwillconsiderexercisingitsdiscretiontomake
suchanorder GatheringEvidenceDiscovery
- Enablesthepartiestoobtaindocumentsfromeachother- Processiswhereonepartyseeksdocumentswithinaclassorclassesofdocumentsorsamplesofdocuments
withinaclassfromtheotherparty- Classesofdocumentsarespecifiedbyrelevancetooneormorefactsinissueorbydescriptionoftheirnature
andtimeperiod- Canbeagreedtoinformallybetweenthepartiesoritcanbesubjectofacourtorder
- Partyprovidingdiscoverycreatesalistoftherelevantdocumentsandthenmakesthedocumentsavailabletobeinspectedbythepartythatseeksdiscovery–disclosureandinspectionofthedocumentsinthediscoveryprocessissubjecttoprivilege(seesectiononprivilege)
- Excludeddocumentsdonotneedtobeincludedinthelistofdocuments- Thereisalsoacontinuingobligationtogivediscovery(Rule21.6)- Noorderfordiscoveryinpersonalinjurycases(Rule21.8)- Intendedtopromoteafairtrialandreducesurpriseinlitigation–partiesareawareofthecasetobetmetat
trial(PercyvGeneralMotorsHoldenPtyLtd[1975]) - Cannotdestroydocumentsinanticipationoflitigation - Discoverytakesplaceafterpleadingshaveclosed- SupremeCourtPracticeNote127encouragestheuseoftechnologyforthepurposesofinformationexchange
ERAvArmstrong
- Solicitorsforpartygivingdiscoverysentadiskwillalldiscovereddocuments–solicitordiscovereddocumentstheythoughtshouldhavebeenthesubjectofaprivilegeclaim
- Inadvertentdisclosure- WenttotheHighCourtonwhetherprivilegehadbeenwaived- Althoughdiscoveryisaninherentlyintrusiveprocess,itisnotintendedthatitbeallowedtoaffectaperson’s
entitlementtomaintaintheconfidentialityofdocumentswherethelawallows- Courthighlycriticalofthepartywhowasrefusingtoreturntheprivilegeddocuments- Ethicalreasons-shouldhavereturneddocuments- Courtatfirstinstancecouldhaveuseditsbroaddiscretiontoordertheotherpartytoreturnthedocuments
ProblemswithDiscovery3categoriesofdiscoveryabuse
- Makingunnecessarilybroaddiscoveryrequests- Withholdinginformationtowhichtherequestingpartyisentitled- Trolleyloadlitigationortrialbyavalanche:providingmanyirrelevantdocumentstooverwhelmtheotherside,
ortoimproperlyconcealdocumentsExcessiveandwastefuldiscoverymayconflictwithanumberofprofessionalandethicalduties
- Actingwithcompetence,honestyandcandour- Facilitatingthequick,justandcheapresolutionofdisputes- Actwithfairness- Narrowtheissuesindisputeandidentifyrelevantmaterial
ProcessofDiscovery
1. PartyAfilesandservesanoticeofmotionseekingdiscoveryfromPartyB(UCPRr21.2)2. Interlocutoryhearing(noticeofmotionisheard)–thecourtdoesnotordergeneraldiscovery3. Within28daysoftheorderPartyBpreparesalistofdocumentsthatdescribesthedocuments,stateswhether
privilegeisclaimed(andcircumstancesgivingrisetoprivilege)4. ThelistmustbeaccompaniedbyasupportingaffidavitbyPartyB(UCPRr21.4(2))andasolicitor’scertificateof
advice(UCPRr21.4(3))a. Verifiesthelistb. Solicitor’scertificateofadvicetoconfirmthesolicitorhasadvisedPartyBastotheirobligationsarising
underdiscoveryandthesolicitorisnotawareofdocumentsnotonthelist5. PartyBmakesthedocumentsreadilyavailableandcapableofconvenientinspection(UCPRr21.5)6. ContinuingobligationonPartyBtomakeavailablesubsequentlydiscovereddocuments(UCPRr21.6)
a. Privilegeddocumentsthatceasetobeprivilegedalsoneedtobemadeavailable7. Noinformationfromadocumentobtainedindiscoveryistobedisclosedorusedinlegalproceedings,unless
a. Withthecourt’sleaveorwherethesedocumentshavebeenadmittedintoevidence8. Thecourtwillnotorderdiscoveryinpersonalinjurycases,unless“forspecialreasons”(UCPRr21.8)
DisclosureintheEquityDivision–SupremeCourtPracticeNoteSCEquity11
- Measuretakentocontroldiscoveryabuse–reducethecostofdiscovery- AppliestoallnewandexistingproceedingsintheEquityDivision- Requiresthat:
1. Thecourtwillnotorderdisclosureuntilthepartieshaveservedtheirevidence,unless“exceptionalcircumstances”necessitatedisclosure
2. Therewillbenoorderfordiscoveryunlessitisnecessaryfortheresolutionoftherealissuesindisputeintheproceedings(notessential,butreasonablyrequiredforthefairdispositionofthematter)
3. Anyapplicationfordisclosuremustbesupportedbyanaffidavit,outlining:i. Whydisclosureisnecessaryii. Theclassesofdocumentssoughtiii. Thelikelycostofdisclosure
IntheMatterofMempollPtyLtf,AnakinPtyLtdandHoldKingsPtyLtd
- Question:whatconstitutesexceptionalcircumstance- Noall-encompassingdefinitionofwhatisanexceptionalcircumstance- Mustbesomethingoutoftheordinary- Mustbesomethingthatnecessitatesdisclosure–party’scasecannotbeputwithoutthedisclosure- Courtoftheviewthatthosecircumstancesexistedinthissituation
GraphiteEnergyPtyLtdvLloydEnergySystemsPtyLtd[2014]
- Consideredthemeaningofthephrase:untilthepartiestotheproceedingshaveservedtheirevidence- Doesnotmeantheyhavetohaveservedalloftheirevidence- Intentofthepracticenote–formaldiscoveryshouldbedeferreduntilpartieshaveservedtheiraffidavitsof
evidence- Intention:reducetheburdenofdiscovery–issueshavebeendefinedbythepleadings,andrefinedbyaffidavit
evidence(limitsitsscope)- Avoidsthemischiefofpartiesconstructingtheirevidencearounddiscovereddocuments
Subpoena
- Asubpoenaaprocesscompellingapersontogiveorproducesomething- Caneitherbeasubpoenatogiveevidence(attendatrialasawitness)ortoproducedocuments- Onceasubpoenaisfiledincourtandserveditbecomesanorderofthecourt- Personorentityservedwiththesubpoenatoproducemustgatherthedocumentssoughtandproducethem
tothecourtbythereturndatestatedonthesubpoena- Failuretocomplywithasubpoenaisacontemptofcourt- Partyrequiredtoproducemayseektohaveasubpoenasetasideongroundsthatislacksalegitimateforensic
purposeorisoppressiveorhasanimproperpurpose- Apersonorentitycanclaimprivilegeoversubpoenaeddocumentsinordertoresistaccessbeinggrantedto
thepartyissuingthesubpoena- Anypartytotrialproceedingsmayseekanorderfromthecourttoissueasubpoena- Issuedthroughthecourtregistry- Subpoenamustbepersonallyservedontheaddresseeandthenoneachotherparty
SettingAsideaSubpoena
- Apartyorapersonwithasufficientinterestcanseekanordersettingasidethesubpoena- Subpoenasarenotasubstitutefordiscovery–can’tbeoppressiveorhaveanimproperpurpose- Musthavealegitimateforensicpurpose
AGvChidgley
- Asubpoenawithoutalegitimateforensicpurposeisanabuseofprocessanditsrecipientcanapplytothecourttohaveitsetaside
- Testfordetermining‘legitimateforensicpurpose’isinthiscase- Beforesubpoenaisgranted,partymust:
a. Identifyalegitimateforensicpurposeforwhichaccessissought;andb. Establishthatitis‘onthecards’thatthedocumentswillmateriallyassisthisorhercase.
NoticetoProduce- UCPRallowspartiestoservenoticestoproduceanyspecifieddocumentorthingonanotherparty- Actinasimilarwaytosubpoenasbutdonotneedtobefiledwiththecourt- After party is served with notice to produce, must provide inspection of the document or thing within a
reasonabletime(takentobe14daysafterserviceofnotice)- Anoticetoproducecanonlybeservedonapartytotheproceedings- Unlessthecourtordersotherwisethepartyservedmustcomplywithanoticetoproduce(UCPR21.11and34.2) - Can’tbeservedonthirdparties - Unlessthecourtordersotherwise,partymustcomplywiththenoticetoproduce
NoticetoAdmit
- Anoticeservedbyonepartytotheproceedingsonanother,requiringthepartytoadmitspecifiedfactsforthepurposesoftheproceedingsonly(UCPR17.3)ortoadmittheauthenticityofspecifieddocuments(UCPR17.4)
- Usedtonarrowtheissuesindisputeinaproceedingtosavetimeandcost- Apartymaywithdrawanadmissiononlywithleaveofthecourt- Iftheadmittingpartydoesnotserveanoticedisputingthefactsortheauthenticityofthedocumentwithin14
daysofservice,thatfactis,forthepurposesoftheproceedings,takentohavebeenadmittedbytheadmittingpartyinfavouroftherequestingpartyonly(UCPRr17.3)
Interrogatories
- Discoverybyinterrogatoriesisaprocedurewhereapartymaybeorderedtoanswerspecifiedquestions- Questionsareusuallyansweredonoathandcanbetenderedasevidenceinthetrial- Canbeorderedatanystageofproceedings- Mustrelatetotheissuesinthepleadings- Forpersonalinjurymattersthecourtmustbesatisfiedthatspecialreasonsexist
SummaryofwhatUCPRprovides:
1. Partycanseekorderfromcourttoadministerinterrogatoriesatanystageofproceedings2. Orderwillonlybemadeif‘necessary’3. Answeringpartymaybeorderedtoanswerspecifiedquestions4. Answersareusuallyrequiredtobeverifiedbyaffidavit5. Partymayobjecttoansweringonbasis itdoesnotrelatetoanymatter in issuebetweenparties,questionis
vexatiousoroppressionand/oranswerwoulddiscloseprivilegedinformation6. Insufficientanswers–courtmayorderforfurtheranswer7. Answerscanbetenderedasevidencedinthetrial8. Noorderwillbegrantedinpersonalinjuryactionsunlesscourtissatisfiedthatspecialreasonsexist9. Partycanobjecttoansweringinterrogatories
VanacomPtyLtdvMorganBrooksPtyLtd[2006]
- CampbellJobservedthatunderUCPR211.1(4)thecourtwasnottomakeanorderforinterrogatoriesunlessitwassatisfiedtheorderwasnecessaryatthetimeitwasmade
- Thecourtdidnotmakeanorderinthiscaseastheplaintiff’sevidenceinchiefhadnotbeenfiledanditwasprematureforanyinterrogatoriesatalltobedeliveredatthetimeinquestion
TOPICFIVE–OpposingDisclosure:PrivilegeIntroductiontoPrivilegesWithrespecttodiscoveryofdocuments,firstask:
- Isthisafishingexpedition?- Doesitservealegitimateforensicpurpose?- Istheinformationrelevanttotheothersidescase?- Isitoppressive,then?- Considerprivilege
Privilege
- Privilege:ameansofresistingdisclosure,existstoprotectdifferentinterestsand/orrelationships- Canberaisedatthetrialtoobjecttotheadmissibilityofevidenceatthestagewhenevidenceisbeingadduced- Attachestotheinformation,ratherthanthedocumentitself- Informationsubjectoftheprivilegemaybeinoralformorinwriting- Thetestofwhetherprivilegeorimmunityattachesisdifferentineachprivilege- Therighttoclaimprivilegeandpreventaccesstoinformationbelongstothepersonvestedwiththeinterestor
relationshipprotectedbytheprivilege(theprivilegeholder)-Theprivilegeholdermayormaynotbeapartytothecase:NewSouthWalesvPublicTransportTicketingCorporation[2011]
- Aprivilegeclaimisusuallysupportedbyaffidavitevidencethatprovesthenecessaryfactsforaprivilegeclaim
ContextforPrivilegeClaimAclaimforprivilegecanbeassertedinthefollowingsituations:
a) Inresponsetoasubpoenaseekingproductionofdocuments(objecttoproductionorinspection)b) Inresponsetoanorderfordiscovery
a. RegulatedbyUCPRPart21b. Ifthepartyseekingdiscoverywishestochallengeaclaimforprivilege,theymustfileandservea
noticeofmotionseekinganorderthattherelevantdocumentbeproducedforinspectionc) Toobjecttoansweringaninterrogatory-UCPRr22.2(c)d) Inresponsetoanoticetoproducee) Toobjecttoanordertoproduceorinspectdocumentsmadebythecourtpursuanttosection68oftheCivil
ProcedureAct2005(NSW)f) Toresistotherformsofcompulsoryacquisitionofdocuments(e.g.searchwarrants/orders)g) Toobjecttothetenderofadocumentduringahearing(atatimewhenevidenceisadduced)h) Toobjecttotheoralexaminationofawitnessduringahearing
ApplicableLawandProcedureforaPrivilegeClaim
- TheprivilegesintheEvidenceAct1995(NSW)applywhenevidenceisbeingadduced- Theeffectofsection131A(1)isthattheEvidenceActappliestopre-trialproceedings
-Courtmustapplytherulessetoutintheactfordeterminingthedisclosurerequirementfordocumentsinallpreliminaryproceedings
- 3pointsregardingthelimitationsofs131AoftheAct(1) Doesnotappeartoapplytoinvestigatoryornon-curialprocesses(2)Applieswhenthepersonrequiredbyadisclosurerequirementtogiveinformationortoproduceadocument,isthepersonwhoalsoobjectstogivingthatinformation(3)Hasbeenheldtoapplyonlyatthestageofobjectiontoproduction
NewSouthWalesvPublicTransportTicketingCorporation[2011]
- Issue:whethertheStatecanbeapersonwithinthedefinitionsoftheAct- Held:yes–butthepersonobjectinghastobethesamepersonwhoissubjecttothedisclosurerequirement- HeretheStatewasathirdpartytoproceedings(PTTChadbeenorderedtoprovidediscovery)- Section131Adidnotapplytotheseproceedings:Statecouldn’tclaimPII- Principle:onlythepersonsubjecttothedisclosurerequirementcanclaimprivilegeunders131A- Thirdpartiescaninterveneandclaimprivilegeinacasewheretheyarenotaparty–commonlawapplies
ClientLegalPrivilege- Clientlegalprivilegeprotectsconfidentialcommunicationsmade,andconfidentialdocumentsprepared,for
thedominantpurposeofalawyerprovidinglegaladviceoralawyerprovidinglegalservicesrelatingtolitigation
- Client’sprivilege,notthelawyers–clientistheonlypersonwhocanwaiveit- Legalpractitionerasostensibleauthoritytowaiveprivilegeonbehalfoftheirclient- Existstoensureproperlegaladvice–clientsarefrankandopen,allowinglawyerstoprovidefullyinformed
legaladvice:OslandvSecretarytotheDepartmentofJustice[2008],EssovFCT- Aruleofsubstantivelawandanimportantcommonlawimmunity- Thelegalpractitionerhasadutyofprotectingandupholdingtheprivilege- Canbeabrogatedbystatute–e.g.forobtainingdocumentsinrelationseriousterrorismoffences- AFPCommissionervPropend–seenasmorethanamereruleofevidence,itisasubstantivegeneralprinciple
whichplaysanimportantroleintheeffectiveandefficientadministrationofjusticebythecourts- Acopyofanunprivilegeddocumentcanbeconsideredprivileged(testisanchoredtothepurposeforwhich
thedocumentwasbroughtintoexistence):CommissionerAFPvPropendFinanceExpenseReductionAnalystsGroupPtyLtdvArmstrongStrategicManagementandMarketingPtyLtd[2013]HCA46
- Facts:ExpenseReduction(representedbyNortonRose)wasorderedtoprovidediscoveryof60,000documentstoArmstrong–documentswereprovidedondisks–DuringthediscoveryprocessNortonRoseinadvertentlydisclosed13documentsclaimedtobeprivileged
- AppealtotheHighCourtconcernedthisinadvertentdisclosureofdocumentssubjecttoclientlegalprivilege- HighCourtheldthiswasamistakethatwasnecessarytobecorrected- Therewasnodelayinthemistakebeingnotifiedorconfirmed- Armstrongwouldnotbeprejudicedbyrequiringthediskstobereturned
ElementsofClientLegalPrivilege
1. Confidentialcommunicationordocument2. Lawyerandclientrelationship(corporateclientsandin-houselawyerscanclaimit)3. Dominantpurposeofthecommunicationisforexistingoranticipatedlitigation,orforlegaladvice
DominantPurposeTest
- Dominantpurposetestoverruledthepreviouscommonlawtest–thesolepurposetest- Thepurposeinexistenceatthetimeofthemakingoftheconfidentialcommunicationorpreparationofthe
confidentialdocumentisdeterminative- Proofofadominantpurposewillnotbesatisfiedbyapersonstatingtheypreparedthedocumentforthe
dominantpurpose-evidenceisrequiredtoestablishthecircumstancesforthecreationofthedocument/communication
- Dominantpurpose:“purposewhichwastheruling,prevailing,ormostinfluentialpurpose”–FCTvSpotless(1996)
- Thecommonlawtestforpurposeisalsothedominantpurposetest:EssoAustraliaResourcesLtdvCommissionerofTaxation(Cth)(1999)
- Dominanttestwasexpressesas“clearparamountcyshouldbethetouchstone”inMitsubishiElectricAustraliaPtyLtdvVictorianWorkcoverAuthority(2002)
- Thedominantpurposeistobedeterminedobjectively,butthesubjectivepurposewillalwaysberelevantandoftendecisive
PublicInterestImmunity
- Publicinterestimmunityprotectsinformationoradocumentwhenitisinthepublicinterestfortheretobenodisclosure
- Aprivilegethatcanberaisedbythecourtonitsown- Balancingexercise–whether,inallthecircumstances,thepublicinterestinprotectingtheconfidentialityof
informationoutweighsthecountervailingpublicinterestinthepublicavailabilityofinformation- Wherethecourtbelievesorderingproductionofthedocumentwould“puttheinterestofthestatein
jeopardy”ismustdeclinetoorderproduction:ConwayvRimmer[1986]AC- EganvChadwick(1999)46NSWLR563:essentiallyincommensurablefactors(significanceoftheinformationto
theissueintrialvs.publicharmfromdisclosure)
SankeyvWhitlam(1978)–Commonlawbasisforstatutory‘balancingtest’forPII- ‘Thegeneralruleisthatthecourtwillnotordertheproductionofadocument,althoughrelevantandotherwise
admissible, if itwouldbe injurious to thepublic interest todisclose it.However thepublic interest has twointereststhatmayconflict’
- Referringheretotheirinterestthat:1. Noharmbedonetothenationbydisclosureofcertaindocumentsand;2. Theirotherinterestthattheadministrationofjusticeshallnotbefrustratedbythewithholdingofdocuments
thatmustbeproducedifjusticeistobedone.–GibbsACJStandingandProcedureforPIIClaims
- AclaimofPIImaybemadebyanyperson,includingapersonwhoisnotpartytotheproceedings- PIIcannotbewaived- Claimusuallysupportedbyanaffidavit
-Suchanaffidavitmaycontaininformationwhich,ifdisclosed,woulditselfbeinjurioustothepublicinterest-PermissibleforthecourtstouseconfidentialaffidavitsinsupportofaPIIclaim-Norighttocross-examineadeponentofanaffidavitwhoprovidesevidenceinsupportofaPIIclaim
ExamplesofTypesofInformationwhereaPIIClaimcouldbemade
- Informationwheredisclosurecouldprejudicethefunctioningofgovernment:StateofNewSouthWalesvPublicTransportTicketingCorporation[2011]NSWCA6
- Documentsthatrevealtheidentityofpoliceinformers–policewouldbehinderedintheirdutyofpreventinganddetectingcrime:AustralianCompetitionandConsumerCommissionvPrysmianCaviESistemiEnergiaSRL[2011]
- Documentscontainingconfidentialpolicemethodology–couldharmtheproperconductoflawenforcementactivities
- Informationthatcouldharmnationalsecurity:NationalSecurityInformation(CriminalandCivilProceedings)Act2004(Cth)
NegotiationPrivilege
- Protectsinformationcreatedinanattempttosettleadispute- Rationale:restricttheabilityofinformationtobeusedagainstonepartyifthedisputeeventuallygoesto
litigation–participateingoodfaith- Nojudicialdiscretiontodeterminewhetherprivilegeattachestocommunications
FieldvCommissionerforRailways(1957)
- Applicationofnegotiationsprivilege- Inprocessofnegotiatingsettlement,plaintiffwasexaminedbydoctorappointedbydefendant- Plaintiffmadeanadmission- Althoughsawdoctorduetonegotiations,courtfoundthatthiswasoutsidethescopeoftheprivilegebecause
thedoctorvisitwasnotreasonablyincidentaltothenegotiations–itwasmadewithoutanyproperconnectionwithanypurposeconnectedwiththesettlementoftheaction
- Thereforedoctor’sevidencewasadmissible WaiverofPrivilegeWaysinwhichprivilegemaybewaived:
1. Waiverbyintentionaldisclosure–knowingandvoluntarydisclosure:section122EvidenceAct2. Inadvertentwaiver
a. Courtreluctanttofindprivilegewaivedwherepossiblyinadvertent,bylawyererror:ERAvArmstrongb. Clericalerrorisnotknowingandvoluntary:FenwickvWamboCoalPtyLtdc. Distinguishinadvertentdisclosurefromdisclosurebasedonanerroneousbeliefthatthedocumentis
notprivileged–inthelattersituation,privilegeiswaivedifdisclosurewasmadeknowinglyandvoluntarily:FenwickvWambo
3. Waiverbydisclosuretoathirdpartya. Notawaiverunless,bytheclient’sconduct,theyhaveeitherexpresslyorimpliedlyactedinawaythat
isinconsistentwiththemaintenanceofprivilege:MannvCarnell(1999),section122EvidenceAct
TOPICSIX–TrialorNoTrialAdjournments
- Anadjournmentisthepostponementordelayinproceedings- Section 66 ofCPA provides courtwith discretion, in appropriate circumstances, to grant an adjournment of
proceedingsoranyaspectofproceedings- Mustadjourntoa‘specifiedday’- Factthatbothpartiesconsenttoadjournmentdoesnotnecessarilymeanitwillbegranted- Anapplicationforadjournmentwillberefusedifitisnotintheinterestsofjusticetoadjournthehearing:Bank
ofWesternAustraliavCallipari[2011]- Powertograntanadjournmentmustbeexercisedinaccordancewiththeoverridingpurposeprinciplesofthe
CPA- Ifanadjournmentisgranted,thepartywhoseconductisresponsiblefortheadjournmentisusuallyorderedto
paythecostsincurredbytheotherparty(s)asaresultoftheadjournment- Mustultimatelydo‘whatisnecessarytodojusticebetweentheparties’(CityofSydneyCouncilvSatar[2007])
SpencervNSWMinisterforClimateChangeandtheEnvironment
- McCollJA:thereisnorighttoadjournment–exercisedinconsiderationwiththejust,quickandcheapresolutionoftheissues
AonvANU
- Anapplicationwhichhastheeffectofadjourningaciviltrial,acourtshouldconsiderthefollowingmatters:a) Theneedtomaintainpublicconfidenceinthejudicialsystemb) Inefficienciesintheuseofresourcesarisingfromadjournmentsc) Whethertherewouldbeanunfairprejudiceindelayingproceedingsunnecessarilyd) Specifictermsofthelegislationorrulesofcourtcalleduponasasourceofpowerforthegrantingoftheorders
soughtAbuseofProcessandtheDoctrineofFinality
- Resjudicata:‘athingjudges’–partiescannotre-litigatematters- Issueestoppel:preventsnewclaimthatwouldrequirenewcourttoreconsideranissuealreadydeterminedin
priorproceedings- Anshunestoppel:preventspartiesfrombringingnewclaimsthatshouldhavebeenaddressedinprevious
proceedings- Courts–mustdistinguishbetweenclaimsthatareseparateandentitledtobesubjectofnewproceedingsand
thosethatmustberuninsingleproceedingDefaultJudgment
- Appliestoproceedingscommencedbyastatementofclaim- Itisajudgmententeredbyvirtueofcourtrulesratherthanoneorderedbycourtbasedonevidence- Canbeenteredifthedefendantisindefaultunderrule16.2ofUCPR- Intendedtoprovideanincentivefordefendantstofileanappearanceordefencewithintheprescribedtime
period(28days)- Theeffectofadefaultjudgmentisthesameasajudgmentgivenaftertrial- Thecourthasthepowertosetasideadefaultjudgmentonapplicationbythedefendant,providedtheycan
adequatelyexplainthedelayandshowthereisadefencetotheclaimthathasmerit- Defaultjudgmentwilldependonwhethertheplaintiff’sclaimisliquidatedorunliquidated
1.Liquidatedclaim:amountclaimedisknownorcanbecalculatedbyaformulaorscalewithoutrecoursetoassessmentoropinion–applicationforadefaultjudgmentismadepursuanttoRule16.6whichrequiresanaffidavitinsupport2.Unliquidatedclaim:usuallycasemanagedpursuanttosections56and57CPA
BorowiakvHobbs[2006]
- Courtsaidthatifthedefendantcontestingthedefaultjudgementhasabonefidedefence,thenthecourtwillbereluctantnottosetasidethedefaultjudgmentanddecidethecaseonitsmerits
- Inthisparticularcase,thedefaultwasextreme:‘NoevidencethatD’sinsurerhadanyregardtothetimelimitsimposedbytherulesforthefilingofdefence
- Theywereeitherdisregardedentirelyortreatedwithdistainorindifference…thecourtmustseektogiveeffecttotheoverridingpurpose’
NationalAustraliaBankLtdvMcCann(No.2)[2010]- Facts:defaultjudgmententered–applied3timestosetaside- Held:failedonthirdapplicationtosetasidejudgment-wasanabuseofprocess(oppressivetotheotherparty)- Afurtherapplicationwhichisasdeficientastheearlierapplication,andwhennorealefforthasbeenmadeto
dealwiththeissuesclearlypointedoutintheearlierjudgmentthatresultedintheearlierapplicationfailing- Makingafurtherapplicationonthatbasisseemstobeunjustifiableoppressivetotheotherparty–bringsthe
administrationofjusticeintodisreputeSummaryDisposal
- Summarydisposalisalabelusedtodescribeapplicationstothecourtthatcanresultinproceedingsbeingconcludedbeforeatrial
- UsuallyprovidedforinUCPR- StandardforsummaryjudgmentorsummarydismissalhasbeenlessenedinsomecourtssuchastheFederal
Court- Section31FederalCourtofAustraliaAct1976providesthatjudgmentmaybeenteredwhereapartyhasno
reasonableprospectsofsuccessfullydefendingorprosecutingtheproceedings- Anorderforsummarydismissalwheretherehasnotbeenahearingonthemeritsoftheclaimwillnotprevent
theplaintifffromissuingfreshproceedings- Animportantconcernfortheplaintiffwillbetoensurethestatuteoflimitationhasnotexpired- Unsuccessfulpartyalsohastheoptiontoappealtheorderforsummarydismissal- Mostlyamatterofjudicialdiscretion–courtsmustweighthedesiretobeefficientandpreventunfair
proceedingswiththeneedtoensurepartiesarefairlyheard
Summarydispositionpreventsthecourtsbecomingcloggedwithunmeritoriouslitigation(therebyimprovingaccess)
vs.Summarydispositiondeniespartiesahearing(therebydenyingaccess)
SummaryJudgment
- PlaintiffcanapplyforsummaryjudgmentagainstadefendantunderRule13.1- Wherethedefendanthasfiledadefencethatdoesnotrevealavaliddefencetotheplaintiff’sclaimorwhose
onlydefenceisinregardtotheamountofthedamagesclaimed- Deprivesapartyofitschancetohaveitscaseheardonthemerits- AnapplicationunderRule13.1canbemadeforthewholeorpartofthejudgmentclaimedbytheplaintiff- Applicationforsummaryjudgmentrequirestheplaintifftoadmitaffidavitinsupportoftheorderconfirming
thefactsthattheapplicationisbasedon- Anordershouldonlybemadewhereitisclearthatthereisnorealissuetobetried
DeyvVictorianRailwaysCommissioners(1949)
- Proceedingsmaynotbesummarilydismissedunlessaclaimordefencecanproperlybedescribedas“soobviouslyuntenablethatitcannotpossiblysucceed,”“manifestlygroundless”or“somanifestlyfaultythatitdoesnotadmitofargument
E-CCommercevBidwell[2005]NSWCA81
- DefendantappealedsummaryjudgementforplaintiffmadeinDistrictCourt.CourtofAppealfoundfordefendant
- Held:althoughthedefencewasverybadlydrafted,therewereatleasttriableissuesandsummaryjudgementshouldonlybemadewhentherearenorealissues
- Sufficientuncertaintyastotheexistenceandformoftheagreement,whetheritwasbreachedandwhoexactlywasinvolved
SummaryDismissal- Thedefendant’scorrespondingrighttotheplaintiff’srighttoapplyforasummaryjudgment:Rule13.4- Effect:youcanstillbringfreshproceedings(s91CPA)orappealsummarydismissaltotheCourtofAppeal- Frivolous:notworthseriousattention[husbandbumperstickercase–dismissedasa“wasteofpublicmoney”]- Vexatious:undertakenforthepurposeofharassment,aproceedingthatcannotsucceedorisintendedto
wastetimeorcausedelay- Categoriesofclaimsthatareanabuseofprocessarenotclosedbutmayinclude:1) Proceedingsinvolveadeceptionofthecourt,sham,fiction2) Proceedingswherecourtprocessesarenotbeingfairlyorhonestlyusedbutratheremployedforsomeulterior
orimproperpurpose3) Proceedingsthataremanifestlygroundless4) Multipleorsuccessiveproceedingslikelytoamounttoharassment5) Proceedingswhereitisimpossibleforthedefendant
VanDerLeevNSW[2002]NSWCA286
- Facts:theStateofNSWwasthedefendantineightproceedingsrelatingtothelandslideinThredboin1997–theStatecross-claimedagainstLendLeaseCorporationseekingdamages,contributionand/orindemnity
- Cross-claimantsfilednoticesofmotionseekingthecross-claimsbestayedordismissedasanabuseofprocess- LeaseLandfailedtofulfiltheironustoshowthetheStateactedforthepredominantpurposeofgaininga
collateraladvantage,orabenefitnotreasonablyrelatedtosuchjudgmentFawcettvCannon[2007]NSWCA1267
- Facts:GeoffreyCannonplacedaverylargefireworkinsideamortartubeandlitit,expectingittolaunchintotheskyandexplode–thefireworkdidnotlaunchbutexplodedonthegroundcausingseriousinjuriestoJustinFawcett–FawcettsuesCannonandthewholesalesuppliersofthefireworks,theretailersandanumberofothercompanies
- SchofieldCompaniesmovedtodismisstheproceedings–submittedtheproceedingswereanabuseofprocessandseekdismissal–suingthembecauseheultimatelydidnotknowwhowasliable
- Mustbe“impossibleforthepartyconcernedtosucceedonhisclaim”- ThefactsonwhichtheSchofieldcompaniesreliedwerenotaccepted–notpossibletosaytheplaintiffcan’t
succeedorthatproceedingsareunjustifiable- PossiblethatanyoneoftheSchofieldcompaniescouldhavebeeninvolvedinthesale
DismissalforWantofProsecution
- Aclaimordefencecanbedismissedforapartyfailingtoproceedwithduedispatch:UCPR12.7- Casemanagementhasmadethislessfrequent- Courthasinherentpowertodismissaclaim,strikeoutdefenceormakeotherorder- Courtwillconsideroverridingpurposeprinciplesinss56-60ofCPAregarding‘just,quickandcheap’resolution
BuildingInsurers’GuaranteeCorporationvTouma[2010]NSWSC4
- Facts:Toumawasabuilder–hecontractedtoconstructed26villaswiththeseconddefendant–seconddefendantownedtheproperty–plaintiffallegesMr.Toumaandtheseconddefendantconstructedthevillasinadefectiveway–Toumafailedtoconductvariousstepsintheproceedingsthatwereorderedsuchasdiscovery,soughtnumerousadjournments(unwell,overseas,changingsolicitor)–plaintifffiledamotiontostrikeoutMr.Touma’sdefence
- Defencestruckout–plaintiff’sconductwasotherwisefaultlessandunarmedwithanypowertocontrolwhatoccurs
- Hadnoattendedtohissideofthelitigatinginatimelymanner,hasdisregardedhisobligationtoconformtodirectionsthathavebeenmade
- Cannotcontinuetoseekadjournmentsinthehopethattheinconvenienceanddisruptionwillbecometheproblemoftheplaintiff
PhornpisutikulvMileto[2006]- Dfilednoticeofmotionfordismissalunderr12.7onbasisthatproceedingsgoingsince2003–morethan12
monthssincePorderedtofileaffidavitsandplaintiffhad‘Notfiledasinglepieceofpaperthatadvanceshercaseinchief’
- ‘Thereissomereluctanttodismissacasewheretherehasnotbeenahearingonthemerits.However,apartymaybyherownconductpreventahearingtakingplacewherebyrepeatedfailurestocomplywithdirections,shedemonstratesthatsheisnotpreparedtoplayherpartinexpeditiousadvancingoftheproceedings.’
Discontinuance- Procedurethatallowsaplaintifftoterminateproceedingsagainstadefendantbecausetheynolongerwishto
continuethelitigation- Maybeduetoalackofresources,acceptancethattheclaimwillfail,orbecausethematterhasbeenresolved
asaresultofsomeformofADRorofferofcompromise- Apartywhodiscontinuesmustordinarilypaytheotherparty’scostsofthediscontinuedclaimunlessthecourt
otherwiseordersorthenoticeofdiscontinuancemakessomeotherprovision- Discontinuancedoesnotbarsubsequentproceedingsunlessthediscontinuancewasonthetermsthatnonew
proceedingswouldbebrought- Aplaintiffwillnotnormallybeforcedtocontinuetolitigateaslongastherewillbenoinjusticecausedtothe
defendant CovellMatthews&PartnersvFrenchWoolsLtd[1997]
- Court will review all relevant circumstances and consider whether ‘the defendant is not deprived of someadvantagewhichhehasalreadygainedinthelitigationandshouldbereadytogranthimadequateprotectiontoensurethatanyadvantagehehasgainedispreserved.’
SecurityforCostsCostsinLitigation
- Costsordersareasignificantaspectofmostcivillitigation- Typicalcostsorders:noorderastocostsorcostsinthecause- Adefendantmayobtainasecurityforcostsordertoensureanothercanpayanadverseorder- Section98CivilProcedureAct–courts’powerasto
SecurityforCosts
- Thecourthaspowertoorderaplaintifftogivesecurityforthedefendant’scostofdefendingtheplaintiff’sclaimandcanorderastayofproceedingsuntilthesecurityisgiven
- Anapplicationforsecurityforcostsshouldbemadepromptly,beforetheplaintiffhasexpendedmoneyonclaim
- Unlikelytobegrantedwheretheplaintiff’sclaimbonafideandreasonableprospectsofsuccess- Ifthereisnon-compliancewithasecurityforcostsorder,thecourtmayordertheplaintiff’sproceedingsbe
dismissed:UCPRrule42.21- Thefactthatanaturalpersonlacksresourcesisnotasufficientreasonforasecurityforcostsorder–
impecuniositymaybearesultofthedefendant’sconduct- Theimpecuniosityoftheplaintiffisafactortobeweighedintheexerciseofthediscretionandisneithera
sufficientconditionfortheorderingofsecuritynorasufficientconditionfortheCourttodeclinetheorderforsecurity:LucasvYorke(1983)
- Asecurityforcostsorderisdiscretionaryandthoughsuchdiscretionisabsoluteandunfettered,itwillnotbemadeautomatically–itmustnotbemade“arbitrarilyorsoastofrustratethelegislativeintent
- Effectistostayproceedingsuntilsecurityisgiven(maybedismissedifsecurityisnotgiven)- Morelikelytobegrantedagainstacorporationthananaturalperson- SupremeCourthasinherentjurisdictiontoordersecurityforcostswhichare‘necessaryfordueadministration
ofjusticeandpreventabuseofthecourt’sprocesses’–RajskiIdopportvNationalAustraliaBank[2001[NSWSC744
- Discretiontoawardsecurityforcostsrequirestotakeintoaccountallrelevantfactsandcircumstances- 7guidelinesthecourtissaidtotypicallytakeintoaccount(KPCableInvestments)1) Suchapplicationsshouldbebroughtpromptly2) Regardistobehadtothestrengthandbonafidesoftheapplicant’scase3) Whethertheapplicant’simpecuniositywascausedbytherespondent’sconductsubjectoftheclaim4) Whethertheapplicationforsecurityisoppressive(todenytherightofanimpecuniousapplicanttolitigate)5) Whetherthereareanypersonsstandingbehindthecompanywhoarewillingtoprovidethenecessarysecurity6) Whetherpersonsstandingbehindthecompanyhaveofferedanypersonalundertakingtobeliableforthe
costs7) Securityonlyorderedagainstapartywhoisinsubstanceaplaintiff,andanorderoughtnottobemadeagainst
partieswhoaredefendingthemselves
IncentivestoSettle- Settlementisthemostcommonwaymattersaredisposedofwithouttrial- Settledproceedingsmustbediscontinued- Settlementofferscanaffectcostsorderswheresettlementfailsandthematterproceedstotrial- TheUCPRofferofcompromiseprocedureandthecommonlaw‘Calderbankletters’aredesignedtoencourage
areasonedapproachtosettlementbyplaintiffsanddefendants(inadditiontoformalADRoptions)- Offertosettlemustbegenuineandiftheofferisunreasonablyrejectedcostconsequencescanfollow- Ifthesettlementofferisrejected,themattergoestotrial–adversecostsordercanbemadeagainsttherejecting
partyiftheoutcomeislessfavourablethanthesettlementoffer- Offermaybefromeitherside- OffersofcompromiseregulatedbyUCPR
CalderbankLetters
- Calderbanklettersareoffersofcompromiseinlettersmarked‘withoutprejudicesaveastocosts’–theyareaproceduralalternativetooffersofcompromiseundertheUCPR
- The cost consequencesof unreasonably rejecting anoffer contained in a Calderbank letter is in the generaldiscretionofthecourtratherthantheUCPRrulesthatgovernoffersofcompromise
- Calderbank letters lack the certainty and explicit consequences of the UCPR formal system of offers ofcompromise
- CalderbanklettersandUCPRofferofcompromisearedesignedtoencourageareasonedapproachtothesettlementbybothplaintiffsanddefendants
- Calderbankletters:-Offersofcompromiseinlettersmarked“withoutprejudicesaveastocosts”-Offertosettlemustbegenuine-Iftheofferisunreasonablyrejected,costconsequencescanfollow(generaldiscretionofthecourt)
- CalderbankletterslackthecertaintyandexplicitconsequencesoftheUCPRformalsystemofoffersofcompromise
- Moreflexiblethanoffersofcompromise(rulesareincreasinglyflexible)
ExampleAdverseCostOrdersExample1Plaintiffservesofferofcompromiseon4/1/16for$1,000,000pluscostsasagreedorassessed.Defendantrejectsthe
offer.Judgmententeredfor$2,000,000on22/3/16–Whattypeofcostorderwilltheplaintiffapplyfor?
- Defendantwouldhavebeenbetteroffiftheyhadnotrejectedtheoffer- Plaintiffcanapplyforindemnitycostsfortheremainderoftheperiod- Costsuptothedateoftheoffercalculatedonanordinarybasis
Example2
Defendantservesofferofcompromiseon4/1/16for$1,000,000pluswillpayplaintiff’scostsasagreedorassessed.Plaintiffrejectstheoffer.Judgmententeredfor$500,000on22/3/16–Whattypeofcostsorderwillthedefendant
applyfor?
- Plaintiffworseoffthanwhatthedefendantoriginallyoffered- Plaintiffwillgetordinarycostsuptothedateoftheoffer- Defendantwillgetindemnitycostsfromtheofferofcompromiseuptoandincludingthetrial
BriefSummaryoftheConductofaCivilHearingThewayatrialisrunisdependenton
1. Thecourt2. Thedivision3. Thenumberofparties4. Thedispute–whatisinissuefordetermination5. Theevidence6. Thejudge
HowisaHearingConducted:wheretheplaintiffbearstheburdenofproof(mostcommontest)GovernedbyUCPR
- Plaintiffgivesopeningaddress- Plaintiffcallsevidence- Plaintiffclosesevidentiarycase- Defendantcanopencase–maygiveaddress- Defendantmaycallevidence- Defendantclosesevidentiarycase- Defendantaddressescourt- Plaintiffaddressescourt- Note:ifdefendantdoesnotcallevidencethenplaintiffmustaddressfirst
ConclusionofTrial
- Notusuallyjuriesincivilproceedings(exception:defamation)- Ifthereisajury,thejurymakesfindingsoffactandarethendischarged- Usuallyjudgesmakefindingsoffactaspartoftheirjudgment- Judgmentcontainsordersmadebythecourt- Judgementisenteredbytheordersbeingentered
Appeals
- Anappealistheformalproceedingbywhichanunsuccessfulpartyseekstohavetheformalorderofacourtsetasideorvariedinhisfavourbyanappellatecourt:CBAvBankNSW(1949)
- Mostjudgmentsarenotappealed- Thereasonsforcreatingavenuesofappeal:
a)Toallowforthecorrectionoferrorsoflaworfactsorthemiscarriageofjusticeoftheexerciseofadiscretionb)Toallowforthedevelopmentofthelaw
- Thereisnoappealatcommonlaw:FoxvPercy(2003)- Appealsareacreatureofstatute–thereforenecessarytoexaminethestatutethatprovidesforanappeal
fromthatparticulartribunal- Timelimitsapplytoallappealsandapplicationsforleavetoappeal- AppealsinCourtofAppealaresubjecttoverystrictproceduralrulesre:processanddocuments(UCPR)
AccesstoAppeals
1. Appealasofright- ThereisanappealasofrightfromtheSupremeCourttotheCourtofAppealagainstfinaljudgmentsand
orderswhereanerroroflaw,factordiscretioncanbeshown:SupremeCourtAct1970section101(1)- ThereisanappealasofrightfromtheDistrictCourtinrespectofanamountof$100,000ormore:District
CourtAct1973
2. Whereleavetoappealisrequired- Therequirementofleavetoappealisdesignedtorestricttheappealproceduretoappropriatemattersand
therebytopromotetheefficiencyofthecourt’sappealprocedures:CoultervR(1988)- Appealsfrominterlocutoryordersrequireleave
i. Section101(2)SupremeCourtAct1970ii. Section127(2)DistrictCourtAct1973
3. AppealstotheHighCourt–requirespecialleaveandeveryonegets20minutestopresenttheircase:Judiciary
Act1903section35PossibleOutcomes
1. Appealdismissed2. Appealallowed
i. Setasidejudgment,andii. Enternewjudgment,and/oriii. Setdownforrehearing(e.g.“remittotrialjudgeforquantum”)