Woolner v South Western Sydney Local Health District [2023] NSWSC 748

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Woolner v South Western Sydney Local Health District [2023] NSWSC 748 Hearing dates: 19 June 2023 Date of orders: 3 July 2023 Decision date: 03 July 2023 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Schmidt AJ Decision: I order that: 1. The subpoena is set aside. 2. Costs are reserved until the February motion is determined. Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE — Subpoenas — to produce documents or things — application to set aside — where documents relate to obtaining instructions, preparation and filing of defence — whether subpoena has legitimate forensic purpose — whether legal professional privilege applies to documents — where no claim of waiver advanced — Evidence Act 2005 (NSW), ss 118, 119 — privilege established — subpoena set aside Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 56, 58, 64 Evidence Act 2005 (NSW), ss 117, 118, 119, 122 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), ss 50C, 50D, 62B Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 33.4 Cases Cited: Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2002) 213 CLR 543; [2002] HCA 49 Expense Reduction Analysts Group Pty Ltd v Armstrong Strategic Management and Marketing Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 303; [2013] HCA 46 Grant v Downs (1976) 135 CLR 674; [1976] HCA 63 Hancock v Rinehart (Privilege) [2016] NSWSC 12 Mann v Carnell (1999) 201 CLR 1; [1999] HCA 66 Mid North Coast Local Health District v Hickson [2019] NSWCA 165 Secretary of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment v Blacktown City Council [2021] NSWCA 145 Category: Procedural rulings Parties: Riley Woolner (Plaintiff) South Western Sydney Local Health District (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Ms J Hillier (Plaintiff) Mr S Kettle (Defendant)