Michael Smith Real Estate Pty Ltd t/as Raine & Horne Marrickville v Chmait [2021] NSWSC 1160

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Michael Smith Real Estate Pty Ltd t/as Raine & Horne Marrickville v Chmait [2021] NSWSC 1160 Hearing dates: 27 August 2021 Date of orders: 15 September 2021 Decision date: 15 September 2021 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Ward CJ in Eq Decision: 1. Order that Lisa Sue Jemmeson and Jemmeson Fisher Pty Ltd t/as Jemmeson Fisher be removed from the Court record as the legal representative for, and solicitor on the record for, the plaintiff in proceeding 2020/00308896. 2. Order that Lisa Sue Jemmeson and Jemmeson Fisher Pty Ltd t/as Jemmeson Fisher, GA Sirtes SC and P Moorhouse of Counsel be restrained from acting as the legal representatives for the plaintiff in proceeding 2020/00308896 (other than to represent the plaintiff in any ongoing settlement discussions). 3. Note the undertaking by the plaintiff and its current legal representatives that all copies of the 30 June 2020 Letter in the possession, custody or control of the plaintiff, Jemmeson Fisher, GA Sirtes SC and P Moorhouse of Counsel be destroyed. 4. Order that the plaintiff and its directors be restrained from discussing the contents of the 30 June 2020 Letter to any new legal representatives retained to act in proceeding 2020/00308896. 5. Order the plaintiff to pay the defendant's costs of the notice of motion filed on 8 June 2021. 6. List the matter for directions for the ongoing conduct of the proceeding before the Registrar on 16 September 2021. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONS — Legal practitioners — Legal professional privilege — Inadvertent discovery and inspection of document — Application for removal Legislation Cited: Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015 (NSW), r 31 Cases Cited: Cleveland Investments Global Ltd v Evans [2010] NSWSC 567 DC Payments Pty Ltd v Next Payments Pty Ltd (2016) 51 VR 151; [2016] VSC 315 Dealer Support Services Pty Ltd v Motor Trades Association of Australia Ltd (2014) 228 FCR 252; [2014] FCA 1065 Dyer v Chrysanthou (No 2) (Injunction) [2021] FCA 641 El-Cheikh v Miraki [2017] NSWSC 1765 English & American Insurance Co Ltd v Herbert Smith [1988] FSR 232 Expense Reduction Analysts Group Pty Ltd v Armstrong Strategic Management and Marketing Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 303; [2013] HCA 46 GR Capital Group Pty Ltd v Xinfeng Australia International Investment Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 266 Graham Barclay Oysters Pty Ltd v Ryan (2002) 211 CLR 540; [2002) HCA 54 GT Corporation Pty Ltd v Amare Safety Pty Ltd [2007] VSC 123 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298; [1959] HCA 8 Kallinicos v Hunt (2005) 64 NSWLR 561; [2005] NSWSC 1181 Kingston v State Fire Commission (1998) 8 Tas R 152 Li v Jin Lian Group Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 479 Manly Council v Byrne [2004] NSWCA 123 Mumbin v Northern Territory of Australia (No 1) [2020] FCA 475 NHB Enterprises Pty Ltd v Corry (No 5) [2020] NSWSC 1838 Sent v John Fairfax Publication Pty Ltd [2002] VSC 429 Sullivan v Sclanders & Goldwell International Pty Ltd (2000) 77 SASR 419; [2000] SASC 273 Category: Procedural rulings Parties: Michael Smith Real Estate Pty Ltd t/as Raine & Horne Marrickville (Plaintiff) Youssef Chmait (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr P Moorehouse (Plaintiff/Respondent) Mr I Latham (Defendant/Applicant)