Freedom Development Group Pty Limited v D’Ettorre Properties Pty Limited T/as D’Ettorre Real Estate (No 2) [2023] NSWCA 185

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Freedom Development Group Pty Limited v D'Ettorre Properties Pty Limited T/as D'Ettorre Real Estate (No 2) [2023] NSWCA 185 Hearing dates: On the papers Date of orders: 9 August 2023 Decision date: 09 August 2023 Before: Gleeson JA at [1] Leeming JA at [36] Kirk JA at [37] Decision: (1) Dismiss the appellants' notice of motion filed 10 May 2023. (2) Order that the appellants pay the respondent's costs of the motion. Catchwords: COSTS — Application to vary costs order — Whether special costs order should be made in relation to proceedings below — Calderbank offer — Offer of compromise under UCPR, r 20.26 — Whether offers reflected genuine compromise — Whether unreasonable for plaintiff not to accept the offers Legislation Cited: Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 20.26, 36.16(3A), 42.1, 42.15A Cases Cited: Brighten v Traino (No 2) [2019] NSWCA 203 Calderbank v Calderbank (1975) 3 All ER 333 Hobartville Stud Pty Ltd v Union Insurance Co Ltd (1991) 25 NSWLR 358 Koprivnjak v Koprivnjak (No 3) [2022] NSWCA 62 Krolczyk v Winner t/as J Winner Building Services [2022] NSWCA 196 Leach v Nominal Defendant (QBE Insurance) (Aust) Limited (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 391 Miwa Pty Ltd v Siantan Properties Pte Ltd (No 2) [2011] NSWCA 344 Regency Media Pty Ltd v AAV Australia Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 368 SMEC Testing Services Pty Ltd v Campbelltown City Council [2000] NSWCA 323 Taheri v Vitek (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 344 Valmont Interiors Pty Ltd v Giorgio Armani Australia (No 3) [2021] NSWCA 160 Category: Costs Parties: Freedom Development Group Pty Limited (First appellant) Edward Fernon (Second appellant) D'Ettorre Properties Pty Limited T/as D'Ettorre Real Estate (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Ms R Thrift (Appellants) Mr N Ford / A Smyth (Respondent)