Christofidellis v Zdrilic [2000] FCA 679

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Christofidellis v Zdrilic [2000] FCA 679

PRACTICE & PROCEDURE – COSTS – Award of – Indemnity costs – the principles governing the exercise of the judicial discretion to award indemnity costs against an unsuccessful applicant – where the credibility of the applicants was a critical factor in dismissing their application – the effect of expressing offers of settlement to be conditional on settlement of another respondent's cross claim

Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), ss. 23 and 43 Federal Court Rules, Order 23

Colgate Palmolive Co v Cussons Pty Ltd (1993) 46 FCR 225, referred to Re Sanchez; Ex parte Smits & Anor (1994) 49 FCR 326, referred to John S Hayes & Associates Pty Limited v Kimberley-Clark Australia Pty Limited (1994) 52 FCR 201, followed Marks v GIO Holdings Ltd (1996) 66 FCR 128, referred to MGICA (1992) Pty Limited v Kenny & Good Pty Limited (1996) 70 FCR 236, followed Fountain Selected Meats (Sales) Pty Limited v International Produce Merchants Pty Limited (1988) 81 ALR 397, referred to Multicon Engineering Pty Limited v Federal Airports Corporation (1996) 138 ALR 425, not followed Re Wilcox; Ex parte v Venture Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 141 ALR 727, followed Abbott v Random House Australia Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1540, followed Hetherington v Mirvac Pty Limited [1999] NSWSC 515, referred to Sanko Steamship Co Ltd v Sumitomo Australia Ltd (unreported, Federal Court, Sheppard J, 7 February 1996), followed STELIOS CHRISTOFIDELLIS & ORS V NED & VISJNA ZDRILIC & ORS NG 772 OF 1995 EINFELD J 24 MAY 2000 SYDNEY

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY NG 772 OF 1995

BETWEEN: STELIOS CHRISTOFIDELLIS

First Applicant

MARCIA SEIXAS CHRISTOFIDELLIS

Second Applicant

BELRAKE PTY LTD