Gabriel v Billett (No 2) [2023] NSWLEC 123

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Gabriel v Billett (No 2) [2023] NSWLEC 123 Hearing dates: On the papers (written submissions filed 28 and 29 August 2023) Date of orders: 15 November 2023 Decision date: 15 November 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 3 Before: Robson J Decision: See orders at [35] Catchwords: COSTS — Class 3 proceedings — Discretion under Encroachment of Buildings Act 1922 (NSW) — General rule costs should follow the event — Whether usual costs rule is just in the circumstances where offers of compromise were made — Whether reasonable for parties to reject offers — Whether indemnity costs order should be made — Impecuniosity of party — Unsuccessful applicant to pay 50 per cent of respondent's costs of primary proceedings Legislation Cited: Dividing Fences Act 1991 (NSW) Encroachment of Buildings Act 1922 (NSW), s 14 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 20.26 Cases Cited: Calderbank v Calderbank [1975] All ER 333 Gabriel v Billett [2023] NSWLEC 85 Hofer v Howell Developments Pty Ltd [No 2] [2001] NSWLEC 42; (2001) 113 LGERA 391 James v Douglas [2016] NSWCA 178 Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72; [1998] HCA 11 Perpetual Trustees Victoria Ltd v Suncorp-Metway Ltd [2010] NSWLEC 12 Tzavellas v Canterbury City Council (1999) 105 LGERA 262 Category: Costs Parties: Eric Stephen Gabriel (Applicant) Karen Billett (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: E S Gabriel, self-represented (Applicant) L Nurpuri (Respondent)