Knox v Peacock (No 2) [2024] NSWSC 1372

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Knox v Peacock (No 2) [2024] NSWSC 1372 Hearing dates: On the papers Date of orders: 30 October 2024 Decision date: 30 October 2024 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Hmelnitsky J Decision: (1) The defendant/cross-claimant is to pay the plaintiff/cross-defendant's costs of the proceedings on the ordinary basis. (2) Any shortfall between the costs of the plaintiff and the costs recovered from the defendant/cross-claimant pursuant to order (1) be paid from the estate of the late Eva Marie Easton on the indemnity basis. Catchwords: COSTS – Costs order – Calderbank offer – Offer made under Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) r 20.26 – Whether offers reasonable in the circumstances COSTS – Party contesting testamentary capacity unsuccessful – Whether unsuccessful party's costs should be paid out of the estate – Whether pursuit of claim reasonable Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) s 98 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) rr 20.26, 42.1 Cases Cited: Alexakis v Masters (No 3) [2023] NSWSC 694 Calderbank v Calderbank [1976] Fam 93 Coregas Pty Limited v Penford Australia Pty Limited (No 2) [2013] NSWCA 11 Etherton v Mitchelmore [2024] NSWSC 170 Gray v Hart & Ors [2012] NSWSC 1435 In the matters of Earth Civil Australia Pty Ltd, RCG CBD Pty Ltd, Bluemine Pty Ltd, Diamondwish Pty Ltd and Rackforce Pty Ltd (all in liq) (No 2) [2021] NSWSC 1161 Knox v Peacock [2024] NSWSC 976 Kooee Communications Pty Ltd v Primus Telecommunications Pty Ltd (No 2) [2008] NSWCA 85 Middlebrook v Middlebrook (1962) 36 ALJR 216 Perpetual Trustee v Baker [1999] NSWCA 244 Re Estate of Hodges (decd); Shorter v Hodges (1988) 14 NSWLR 698 Category: Costs Parties: Geoffrey Knox (Plaintiff/First Cross-Defendant) Isabella Agnes Peacock (Defendant/Cross-Claimant) Sydney Opera House Trust (Second Cross-Defendant) Representation: Counsel: A Stevens (Plaintiff/First Cross-Defendant) M Gaven/B Dean (Defendant/Cross-Claimant)