Claire Rewais and Osama Rewais t/as McVitty Grove v BPB Earthmoving Pty Ltd (No 2) [2024] NSWSC 1555

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Claire Rewais and Osama Rewais t/as McVitty Grove v BPB Earthmoving Pty Ltd (No 2) [2024] NSWSC 1555 Hearing dates: On the papers, submissions dated 15 and 20 November 2024 Date of orders: 03 December 2024 Decision date: 03 December 2024 Jurisdiction: Equity - Technology and Construction List Before: McGrath J Decision: (1) Order (2) made on 10 October 2024 in these proceedings is varied to take the following form: The plaintiffs are to pay the first defendant's costs of the proceedings. (2) Order that the first defendant pay the plaintiffs' costs of the application. (3) The first defendant's application for indemnity costs is dismissed. Catchwords: COSTS — where successful party seeks indemnity costs — purported Calderbank offer — whether unreasonable for unsuccessful party to reject offer — HELD — offer not take effect as a Calderbank offer — not unreasonable for unsuccessful party to reject offer — variation to costs order to correct naming of first defendant COSTS — unsuccessful application for indemnity costs — costs follow the event — HELD — first defendant to pay the plaintiffs' costs of application Legislation Cited: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) s 25(4)(b) Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) s 98 Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) rr 36.16, 42.1, 42.2, 42.4 Cases Cited: Abdi v Abdi (No 2) [2022] NSWSC 582 A-Civil Aust Pty Ltd v Ceerose Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 144 Brodyn Pty Ltd t/as Time Cost and Quality v Davenport (2004) 61 NSWLR 421; [2004] NSWCA 394 Calderbank v Calderbank [1975] 3 All ER 333 Claire Rewais and Osama Rewais t/as McVitty Grove v BPB Earthmoving Pty Ltd [2024] NSWSC 1271 Commonwealth of Australia v Gretton [2008] NSWCA 117 Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72; [1998] HCA 11 SMEC Testing Services Pty Ltd v Campbelltown City Council [2000] NSWCA 323 Treloar Constructions Pty Ltd v McMillan (No 2) [2017] NSWCA 146 Vale v Eggins (No 2) [2007] NSWCA 12 Whitney v Dream Developments (2013) 84 NSWLR 311; [2013] NSWCA 188 Category: Costs Parties: Claire Rewais & Osama Rewais t/as McVitty Grove (Plaintiffs/Respondents) BPB Earthmoving Pty Ltd (First Defendant/Applicant) Christopher Larcos (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: D Weinberger and D Emmerig (Plaintiffs/Respondents) D Neggo (First Defendant/Applicant) No appearance (Second Defendant)