Edwards v Merlaust Pty Ltd (Costs) [2024] NSWSC 25

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Edwards v Merlaust Pty Ltd (Costs) [2024] NSWSC 25 Hearing dates: On the papers Date of orders: 02 February 2024 Decision date: 02 February 2024 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Schmidt AJ Decision: Mr and Mrs Edwards bear Merlaust's costs, as agreed or assessed. Catchwords: COSTS – indemnity costs – offers of compromise – where a Calderbank offer is made – where offer is made pre-trial – where offer is only made for a very limited period – where offer is not renewed before appeal – where offer requires the parties to enter a non-disparagement deed – where offer is the only basis relied on for a departure from the usual costs order Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 98 Supreme Court Rules 1970 (NSW), Pt 52A, r 11 (repealed) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 20.26 Cases Cited: Amaca Pty Ltd v Novek (2009) 9 DDCR 199; [2009] NSWCA 50 Brymount Pty Ltd (t/a Watson Toyota) v Cummins [2005] NSWCA 69 Edwards v Merlaust Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 1477 Ettingshausen v Australian Consolidated Press Ltd (1995) 38 NSWLR 404 Miwa Pty Ltd v Siantan Properties Pte Ltd (No 2) [2011] NSWCA 344 Monie v Commonwealth (No 2) [2008] NSWCA 15 South Sydney Council v Morris (No 3) [2001] NSWCA 200 Category: Costs Parties: Andrew Edwards (First Plaintiff) Maureen Edwards (Second Plaintiff) Merlaust Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M V Sahade (Plaintiffs) Q Rares (Defendant)