May v Northern Beaches Council and Anor (No 3) [2023] NSWLEC 72

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: May v Northern Beaches Council and Anor (No 3) [2023] NSWLEC 72 Hearing dates: On the papers (written submissions filed 11 April, 17 April, 1 May and 23 May 2023) Date of orders: 12 July 2023 Decision date: 12 July 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 4 Before: Robson J Decision: See orders at [66] Catchwords: COSTS — Costs orders on successful motions to strike out proceedings sought against litigant in person — General rule that costs follow the event — Whether departure from usual costs rule justified — Whether litigation can be characterised as public interest litigation — Whether indemnity costs orders should be made — Whether more than one set of costs should be ordered Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 11, 98 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (NSW), cl 100 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW), s 69 Land and Environment Court Rules 2007 (NSW), rr 4.1, 4.2 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), Sch 2, rr 1.7, 13.4, 42.1, 42.2, 42.5, 42.7, 59.10 Cases Cited: Bhagat v Royal & Sun Alliance Life Assurance Australia Limited [2000] NSWSC 159 Cachia v Hanes (1994) 179 CLR 403; [1994] HCA 14 Caroona Coal Action Group Inc v Coal Mines Australia Pty Limited (No 3) [2010] NSWLEC 59; (2010) 173 LGERA 280 Engadine Area Traffic Action Group Inc v Sutherland Shire Council (No 2) [2004] NSWLEC 434; (2004) 136 LGERA 365 Fiduciary v Morningstar Research Pty Ltd (2002) 55 NSWLR 1; [2002] NSWSC 432 Hastings Point Progress Association Inc v Tweed Shire Council (No 3) [2010] NSWCA 39; (2010) 172 LGERA 157 Kindimindi Investments Pty Ltd v Lane Cove Council [2006] NSWLEC 17; (2006) 143 LGERA 268 Local Democracy Matters Incorporated v Infrastructure NSW (No 2) [2019] NSWCA 118 May v Northern Beaches Council (No 2) [2023] NSWLEC 7 Muswellbrook Shire Council v Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd [2019] NSWCA 216; (2019) 372 ALR 695 Ohn v Walton (1995) 36 NSWLR 77 Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72; [1998] HCA 11 People for the Plains Incorporated v Santos NSW (Eastern) Pty Ltd (No 2) [2017] NSWCA 157 Quach v Health Care Complaints Commission (No 2) [2015] NSWCA 311 Statham v Shephard (No 2) (1974) 23 FLR 244 Westfield Management Limited v Direct Factory Outlets Homebush Pty Limited (No 4) [2005] NSWLEC 168 Category: Costs Parties: Stephen May (Applicant) Northern Beaches Council (First Respondent) Paul Wilhelm (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: S May, self-represented (Applicant) J Ede, solicitor (First Respondent) M Harker (Second Respondent)