Lindsay-Owen v HWL Ebsworth Lawyers [2023] NSWSC 68

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Lindsay-Owen v HWL Ebsworth Lawyers [2023] NSWSC 68 Hearing dates: 7-11, 14-17, 21, 24, 25, 31 March, 1 April 2022 Date of orders: 17 February 2023 Decision date: 17 February 2023 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Harrison J Decision: (1) Judgment for the plaintiffs for damages to be calculated on the basis of my indicative findings. (2) Grant liberty to apply. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE - professional negligence - solicitors advising on large-scale property development - failure to include key clause in joint venture agreement NEGLIGENCE - causation - loss of chance - alleged loss of chance to amend joint venture agreement to include clause - alleged loss of chance to consummate joint venture with alternative partner NEGLIGENCE - damages - ascertainment of quantum - loss from inability to develop land in accordance with desired joint venture agreement - land still not fully developed - forecasting how hypothetical development would have proceeded CONSUMER LAW - misleading or deceptive conduct - causation - Trade Practices Act 1974 s82(1) - suffering loss "by conduct of" the defendants EVIDENCE - opinion evidence - whether fields of expertise exist - forecasting hypothetical property development outcomes Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 79 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 82 Cases Cited: About Life Pty Ltd v Maddocks Lawyers [2021] NSWSC 1370 Atlas Tiles Ltd v Briers (1978) 144 CLR 202; [1978] HCA 37 Berryman v Hames Sharley (WA) Pty Ltd [2008] WASC 59 Carey v Freehills (2013) 303 ALR 445; [2013] FCA 954 Castel Electronics Pty Ltd v Toshiba Singapore Pty Ltd (2011) 192 FCR 445; [2011] FCAFC 55 Cullen v Trappell (1980) 146 CLR 1; [1980] HCA 10 Daniels v Anderson (1995) 37 NSWLR 438 Gates v City Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 1; [1986] HCA 3 Gill v Australian Wheat Board [1980] 2 NSWLR 795 Gore v Montague Mining Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1214 Hart Security Australia Ltd v Boucousis (2016) 339 ALR 659; [2016] NSWCA 307 Heenan v Di Sisto [2008] NSWCA 25 Housing Commission of New South Wales v Falconer [1981] 1 NSWLR 547 Hughes v St Barbara Mines Ltd [No 4] [2010] WASC 160 Johnson v Perez (1988) 166 CLR 351; [1986] HCA 64 Lindsay-Owen v Schofields Property Development Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1177 Makita v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; [2001] NSWCA 305 Mal Owen Consulting Pty Ltd v Ashcroft (2018) 97 NSWLR 1163; [2018] NSWCA 135 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20 Marks v GIO Australia Holdings Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 494; [1998] HCA 69 Principal Properties Pty Ltd v Brisbane Broncos Leagues Club Ltd [2018] 2 Qd R 584; [2017] QCA 254 Ricochet Pty Ltd v Equity Trustees Executors and Agency Co Ltd (1993) 41 FCR 229 at 235 Sellars v Adelaide Petroleum NL (1994) 179 CLR 332; [1994] HCA 4 Sydney Local Health District v Macquarie International Health Clinic Pty Ltd (2020) 105 NSWLR 325; [2020] NSWCA 274 Winton Partners Funds Management Pty Ltd v Lindsay-Owen [2016] NSWSC 640 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Gregory Hamilton Willoughby Lindsay-Owen (First Plaintiff) Dairycorp Pty Limited (Second Plaintiff) Martin Downing & Ors Trading as HWL Ebsworth Lawyers (First to One Hundred and Sixth Defendants) Representation: Counsel: T Alexis SC with P Afshar (Plaintiffs) T Faulkner SC with C Bannan (Defendants)