R.H Anicich & A.J Deegan & Ors t/as Sparke Helmore v Nick Scali Ltd [2021] NSWSC 621

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R.H Anicich & A.J Deegan & Ors t/as Sparke Helmore v Nick Scali Ltd [2021] NSWSC 621 Hearing dates: 27 May 2021 Date of orders: 2 June 2021 Decision date: 02 June 2021 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Schmidt AJ Decision: 1. The motion is dismissed. 2. Production of the documents be deferred until after Sparke Helmore has served Ms Platt's evidence. 3. The parties confer about further orders for the preparation of the matter for hearing. 4. Nick Scali Ltd is to bear the costs of the motion, as agreed or assessed. 5. The matter be listed in the Professional Negligence List before Harrison J at 9.30am on Friday 2 July 2021 for further directions. Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE – Subpoenas – Application to set aside – Abuse of process – Whether subpoena for production of document is an abuse of process seeking impermissible discovery CIVIL PROCEDURE – Subpoenas – Objection to production of documents or things – Client legal privilege – Whether privilege has been waived Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Pt 4 Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 56 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2 - Australian Consumer Law, s 18 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 118, 122, 125, 128, 131A Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) rr 1.9, 14.9, 21.2, 21.3, 21.4, 21.5, 33.4 Cases Cited: Associated Dominions Assurance Society Pty Ltd v John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd (1952) 72 WN (NSW) 250 Attorney-General (N.T.) v. Kearney (1985) 158 CLR 500; [1985] HCA 60 Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Goater [2016] NSWSC 710 Commissioner for Railways v Small (1938) 38 SR (NSW) 564 ICAP Australia Pty Ltd v BGC Partners (Australia) Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 307 Lowery v Insurance Australia Ltd (2015) 90 NSWLR 320; [2015] NSWCA 303 Mann v Carnell (1999) 201 CLR 1; [1999] HCA 66 National Employers Mutual General Insurance Assn Ltd v Waind and Hill [1978] 1 NSWLR 372 Southern Pacific Hotel Services Inc v Southern Pacific Hotel Corp Ltd; Kirby v Southern Pacific Hotel Corp Ltd [1984] 1 NSWLR 710 Category: Principal judgment Parties: R.H Anicich & A.J Deegan & Others t/as Sparke Helmore (Plaintiff) Nick Scali Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: A Zahra SC (Plaintiff) J Adamopoulos (Defendant)