Eco-Pact Pty Ltd v Law Society of NSW [2023] NSWSC 283

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Eco-Pact Pty Ltd v Law Society of NSW [2023] NSWSC 283 Hearing dates: 14–15 March 2023 Date of orders: 29 March 2023 Decision date: 29 March 2023 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Griffiths AJ Decision: (1) The amended summons is dismissed and, subject to order (2) below, the plaintiff is to pay the defendant's costs as agreed or assessed, including the costs of the notice of motion filed on 15 October 2021. (2) The plaintiff has leave, within 7 days hereof, to file a written submission not exceeding 2 pages on the issue of costs. (3) In the event that the plaintiff acts under order (2), the defendant has leave to file and serve within a further 7 days thereof a written submission in response not exceeding 1 page in length. (4) Order, pursuant to r 31.23(3) of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), that the report dated 27 November 2018 of Ms Valerie Higinbotham be admitted into evidence. Catchwords: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS – Claim against Fidelity Fund – Appeal to Supreme Court – Where Fidelity Fund Management Committee wholly disallowed claim – Summons dismissed Legislation Cited: Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Legal Profession Regulation 2005 (NSW) Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (NSW) Supreme Court Rules 1970 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Australian Communications and Media Authority v Today FM (Sydney) Pty Ltd (2015) 255 CLR 352; [2015] HCA 7 Australian Securities and Investment Commission v Rich (2005) 190 FLR 242; [2005] NSWSC 149 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336; [1938] HCA 34 Cahill v Kenna [2014] NSWSC 1763 Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar (2011) 243 CLR 588; [2011] HCA 21 Finance Facilities Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1971) 127 CLR 106; [1971] HCA 12 First Class Securities Pty Ltd v R Neuhas [2019] NSWSC 1261 Hodder Rook & Associates Pty Ltd v Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 279 Investmentsource v Knox Street Apartments [2007] NSWSC 1128 Jacups v The Fidelity Fund Management Committee of the Law Society of NSW [2022] NSWSC 313 John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd v Gacic (2007) 230 CLR 291; [2007] HCA 28 Kirch Communications Pty Ltd v Gene Engineering Pty Ltd [2002] NSWSC 485 Lithgow City Council v Jackson (2011) 244 CLR 352; [2011] HCA 36 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; [2001] NSWCA 305 Masterton Homes Pty Ltd v Palm Assets Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 234; (2009) 261 ALR 384 NU v NSW Secretary of Family and Community Services (2017) 95 NSWLR 577; [2017] NSWCA 221 Rejfek v McElroy (1965) 112 CLR 517; [1965] HCA 46 Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Barrie Toepfer Earthmoving & Land Management Pty Ltd (No 3) [2012] NSWSC 937 Spies v The Queen (2000) 201 CLR 603; [2000] HCA 43 Tim Barr Pty Ltd v Narui Gold Coast Pty Ltd (2009) 75 NSWLR 380; [2009] NSWSC 49 Wang v Council of the Law Society of New South Wales [2009] NSWSC 67 Wang v Law Society of New South Wales [2020] NSWSC 1741 Wang v Law Society of New South Wales (No 2) [2022] NSWSC 1720 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Eco-Pact Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Law Society of NSW (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: P Barham (Plaintiff) T Prince (Defendant)