Mersal v Georges River Council (No 2) [2021] NSWDC 480

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Mersal v Georges River Council (No 2) [2021] NSWDC 480 Hearing dates: Written Submissions (Determined on the Papers) Date of orders: 10 September 2021 Decision date: 10 September 2021 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Coleman SC DCJ Decision: 1 The plaintiff is to pay the costs of the Council and MLC of the proceedings, on the ordinary basis as agreed or assessed up to 21 July 2021 and on the indemnity basis from 22 July 2021. 2 MLC is to pay the costs of the Council of the cross‑claim, on the ordinary basis as agreed or assessed up to 21 July 2021. 3 MLC is to pay the AHIGS' costs of the cross‑claim as agreed or assessed on the ordinary basis up to 27 November 2020 and then on the indemnity basis from 28 November 2020 to 21 July 2021. 4 The plaintiff is to pay the costs of the cross-claim on the indemnity basis from 22 July 2021. Catchwords: COSTS – General Rule that Costs Follow the Event – Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) – Court's Discretion to Make Costs Orders Notwithstanding the General Rule – Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) s 98(1) – Whether the Court Should Exercise that Discretion – Relevant Principles Relating to Offers of Compromise & Claderbank Offers COSTS – Failure of a Cross‑Claim Due to Failure of the Plaintiff's Claim – Whether the Plaintiff Should Pay the Costs of the Cross‑Defendants – Whether Cross‑Claimant Should Pay the Costs of the Cross‑Defendants Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) s 5Q Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) s 98(1) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) rr 9.1, 20.26, 20.26(4), 20.32, 42.1, 42.15A, 42.18, 42.20(1) Cases Cited: Calderbank v Calderbank [1975] 3 All ER 333 Corbett v Nguyen (No 2) [2012] NSWSC 673 Dr Leo Shanahan v Jatese Pty Ltd [No 2] [2018] NSWSC 1306 Drive My Car Rentals Pty Ltd v Gabriel [2021] NSWCA 73 Fabre v Lui [2015] NSWCA 312 Furber v Stacey [2005] NSWCA 242 Hooker v Gilling (No 2) [2007] NSWCA 214 Jainti Pty Ltd v Fraser Panorama Pty Ltd (2) [2021] NSWSC 965 Jones v Bradley (No 2) [2003] NSWCA 258 Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534 Leach v The Nominal Defendant (QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd) (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 391 Leichardt Municipal Council v Green [2004] NSWCA 341 Mersal v Georges River Council [2021] NSWDC 395 Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72 Regency Media Pty Ltd v AAV Australia Pty Ltd [2009] NWSCA 368 Russell v Edwards (No 2) [2006] NSWCA 52 Trustee for the Salvation Army (NSW) Property Trust v Becker (No 2) [2007] NSWCA 194 Vagg v McPhee (No 2) [2012] NSWSC 187 Waterman v Gerling Australia Insurance Co Pty Ltd (No 2) [2005] NSWSC 1111 Texts Cited: N/A Category: Costs Parties: Ms Hope Amal Mersal (Plaintiff) Georges River Council (First Defendant/First Cross‑Defendant) The Trustees of the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) t/as "MLC School, Burwood" (Second Defendant / Cross‑Claimant) Association of Heads of Independent Girls Schools NSW (Second Cross‑Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr E Chrysostomou (Plaintiff) Mr S Glascott (First Defendant / First Cross‑Defendant) Mr D Talintyre (Second Defendant / Cross‑Claimant) Mr R Perla (Second Cross‑Defendant)