Gan v Xie [2024] NSWDC 456

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Gan v Xie [2024] NSWDC 456 Hearing dates: 23 – 25 September 2024 Date of orders: 27 September 2024 Decision date: 27 September 2024 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Newlinds SC DCJ Decision: (1) Judgment for the Plaintiff in the sum of AUD$593,155.87, inclusive of interest at Court rates from 1 November 2016 until 27 September 2024. (2) Order the Defendant pay the Plaintiff's costs of the proceedings before me and Gibb DCJ . Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Rehearing after initial hearing and successful appeal – Matter remitted by Court of Appeal – Issues already decided – Issue estoppel – Procedure adopted – Transcript of first proceedings admitted into evidence EVIDENCE – Tendency evidence – Section 97 of Evidence Act CONSUMER LAW – Section 18 of Australian Consumer Law – Misleading or deceptive conduct – Causation – Damages CONSUMER LAW – Section 44(1) and s 44(2) of Australian Consumer Law – Participation in pyramid scheme s 44(1) – Inducing a person to participate s 44(2) – Proper construction of s 44 of Australian Consumer Law – Causation – Damages Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 97(1)(a) Australian Consumer Law (Cth) s 18; s 44(1); s 44(2); s 44(3); s 45; s 236 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) s 137B Civil Procedure Act (2005) (NSW) s 100 Cases Cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (2014) 317 ALR 73; [2014] FCA 634 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Employsure Pty Ltd (2021) 394 LR 205; [2021] FCAFC 142 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 640 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 238 CLR 304 David Securities Pty Ltd v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1992) 175 CLR 353 Dominelli Ford (Hurstville) Pty Ltd v Karmot Auto Spares Pty Ltd (1992) 38 FCR 471 Flogineering Pty Ltd v Blu Logistics SA Pty Ltd (No 3) [2019] FCA 1258 Flogineering Pty Ltd v Blu Logistics SA Pty Ltd (No 4) [2021] FCA 1219 Gan v Xie [2023] NSWCA 163 Google Inc v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2013) 249 CLR 435; [2013] HCA 1 Henville v Walker (2001) 206 CLR 459 Sherman v Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (2003) 47 ACSR 505 Taco Company of Australia Inc v Taco Bell Pty Ltd (1982) 42 ALR 177 Travel Compensation Fund v Robert Tambree (t/as R Tambree & Assocs) (2005) 224 CLR 627 Unilever Australia Ltd v Beiersdorf Australia Ltd [2018] FCA 2076 Who Ya Gonna Call Bark Busters Pty Ltd v Brooke [2013] NSWDC 133 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Youxian Gan (Plaintiff) Eileen Xie (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: S Zhao (Plaintiff) E Xie (Self-represented Defendant)