In the matter of Graziers Pastoral Pty Limited; In the matter of Windsor Livestock Holdings Pty Limited; In the matter of Windsor Livestock Pty Limited [2021] NSWSC 1680

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: In the matter of Graziers Pastoral Pty Limited; In the matter of Windsor Livestock Holdings Pty Limited; In the matter of Windsor Livestock Pty Limited [2021] NSWSC 1680 Hearing dates: 13 December 2021 Date of orders: 13 December 2021 Decision date: 21 December 2021 Jurisdiction: Equity - Corporations List Before: Black J Decision: Interlocutory Process dismissed other than in respect of the amendments by consent. Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE — Pleadings — Amendment — Where substantial delay in seeking to amend the pleadings — Close proximity of the hearing — Where amendment would not allow sufficient time for defendants to lead evidence or require vacation of the hearing date. CIVIL PROCEDURE — Pleadings — Amendment — – matters required for defendants to plead defence under business judgment rule. EVIDENCE — Expert evidence — Whether to grant leave under UCPR r 31.28 to rely upon late expert report — Whether exceptional circumstances exist — Where defendants delayed in retaining experts and serving the expert reports — Where reliance on expert reports would require vacation of hearing date. Legislation Cited: - Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 56, 57, 68, 60, 64 - Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss 180(2), 232, 233 Cases Cited: - Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd v Australian National University (2009) 239 CLR 175; (2009) 258 ALR 14; [2009] HCA 27 - Bi v Mourad [2010] NSWCA 17 - Commonwealth Bank v Iinvest (No 7) [2017] NSWSC 440 - Correa v Whittingham [2012] NSWSC 266 - Downer Connect Pty Ltd v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd [2008] VSC 77 - Great Southern Finance Pty Ltd (in liq) v Rhodes (2014) 103 ACSR 137; [2014] WASC 431 - Gunns Ltd v Marr [2005] VSC 251 - Hans Pet Constructions Pty Limited v Cassar [2009] NSWCA 230 - Iacullo v Iacullo [2013] NSWSC 1517 - Power v Eckstein (2010) 77 ACSR 302; [2010] NSWSC 137 - Re Bishay Developments Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 29 - Re Elsmore Resources Ltd [2016] NSWSC 884 - San v Rumble (No 2) [2007] NSWCA 259 - UBS AG v Tyne as Trustee of the Argot Trust (2018) 360 ALR 184; [2018] HCA 45 - Yacoub v Pilkington (Australia) Ltd [2007] NSWCA 290 - Young v Hones [2013] NSWSC 580 Category: Procedural rulings Parties: John Parilo (First Plaintiff) WD Capital Pty Limited (Second Plaintiff) Parilo Holdings Pty Limited (Third Plaintiff) Graziers Pastoral Pty Limited (First Defendant) Windsor Livestock Holdings Pty Limited (Second Defendant) Windsor Livestock Pty Limited (Third Defendant) Suelen McCallum (Fourth Defendant) Riad Tayeh (Fifth Defendant) Alan Gordon Taylor (Sixth Defendant) Free Flight Australia Pty Limited (Seventh Defendant) Redglint Pty Limited (Eighth Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Einfeld QC/D Smith (Plaintiffs) J Adamopoulos (First – Fifth Defendants) A Combe (Sixth – Eighth Defendants)