Di Liristi v Matautia Developments Pty Ltd [2021] NSWCA 328

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Di Liristi v Matautia Developments Pty Ltd [2021] NSWCA 328 Hearing dates: 3 November 2021 Date of orders: 17 December 2021 Decision date: 17 December 2021 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1] Gleeson JA at [2] Brereton JA at [104] Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed. (2) Appellant to pay the respondents' costs. Catchwords: EVIDENCE – admissibility – hearsay – business records exception, s 69 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) – where appellant/tenant introduced soil onto property alleged to be contaminated – where Council issued clean-up notice to respondent/landlord – where respondent commissioned expert report – where samples collected and tested by persons other than author of report – whether report business record of respondent – whether primary judge erred in giving weight to report EVIDENCE – expert reports – where no orders made for service of expert reports – where both parties served expert reports late – where both parties had opportunity to cross-examine experts – whether "exceptional circumstances" for admitting expert report in reply served by respondent – Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 31.28(4) – whether primary judge erred in House v The King sense DAMAGES – damages awarded for costs of remediating land – where only evidence of quantum was two quotes obtained in preparation of proceedings – where quotes contained hearsay material – where no objection by appellant to admissibility of quotes at trial – where appellant self-represented at trial – whether primary judge erred in giving weight to quotes DAMAGES – damages awarded for unpaid rent – where primary judge made declaration that lease validly terminated by respondent – where appellant remained in possession of property – where no termination order yet made by NCAT – whether residential tenancy agreement remained on foot – whether landlord's remedy limited to loss of bargain damages Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 14 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 64, 69, 183 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW), ss 6, 91 Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 (NSW) Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW), ss 80, 81, 83, 87 Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C.) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 31.23, 31.28, 42.1, 51.53 Cases Cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Air New Zealand Ltd (No 1) (2012) 207 FCR 448; [2012] FCA 1355 Australian Medic-Care Company Ltd v Hamilton Pharmaceutical Pty Ltd (ACN 008 204 635) (No 4) [2008] FCA 1038 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Rich [2005] NSWSC 417 Averkin v Insurance Australia Ltd (2016) NSWLR 68; [2016] NSWCA 122 Bauskis v Liew [2013] NSWCA 297 Di Liristi v Matautia Developments Pty Ltd [2021] NSWCA 163 Di Liristi v Matautia Developments Pty Ltd (No 4) [2021] NSWSC 661 Di Liristi v Matautia Developments Pty Ltd (No 6) [2021] NSWSC 663 Di Liristi v Matautia Developments Pty Ltd (No 7) [2021] NSWSC 760 Gregg v R [2020] NSWCCA 245 Hamod v New South Wales [2011] NSWCA 375 Harrington-Smith on behalf of The Wongatha People v State of Western Australia (No 7) (2003) 130 FCR 424; [2003] FCA 893 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Jadwan Pty Ltd v Rae & Partners (A Firm) (No 3) [2017] FCA 1045 Maaz v Fullerton Property Pty Ltd [2021] NSWCA 79 National Australia Bank v Rusu (1997) 47 NSWLR 309; [1999] NSWSC Nikolaidis v Legal Services Commissioner [2007] NSWCA 130 Paino v Paino [2008] NSWCA 276 Perish v R (2016) 92 NSWLR 161; [2016] NSWCCA 89 Placer (Granny Smith) Pty Ltd v Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd [2003] HCA 10; (2003) 196 ALR 257 Pollock v Hicks [2015] NSWCA 122 Progressive Mailing House Pty Ltd v Tabali Pty Ltd (1985) 157 CLR 17; [1985] HCA 14 Ritz Hotel Ltd v Charles of the Ritz Ltd (Nos 13, 18, 19) (1988) 14 NSWLR 116 Sydney Local Health District v Macquarie International Health Clinic Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 274 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Antonio Di Liristi (Appellant) Matautia Developments Pty Ltd (First respondent) Brian Garnet Wheadon (Second respondent) Michael Bernard Fowler (Third respondent) Representation: Counsel: P R Glissan (Appellant) A Avery-Williams (Respondent)