S&P Gomes Pty Ltd ta Cohuna Hotel Motel v Sundar ta Sun Legal [2025] NSWSC 24

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: S&P Gomes Pty Ltd ta Cohuna Hotel Motel v Sundar ta Sun Legal [2025] NSWSC 24 Hearing dates: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17 December 2024 Date of orders: 07 February 2025 Decision date: 07 February 2025 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Cavanagh J Decision: (1) Judgment for the first plaintiff against the first defendant in the sum of $1,216,615.17. (2) Judgment for the first defendant against the second plaintiff. (3) Judgment for the second defendant against the plaintiffs. (4) The first defendant is to pay the plaintiffs' costs as agreed or assessed. (5) The plaintiffs are to pay the second defendant's costs as agreed or assessed. (6) I grant liberty to the parties to apply on three days' notice should any variation of those costs orders be sought. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE —solicitor's negligence – scope of solicitor's retainer – purchase of land and business –failure to provide advice prior to exchange – defective premises – whether Council owed duty of care – contributory negligence – limitation of liability Legislation Cited: Building Act 1993 (Vic), s 106 Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5D, 5E, 5R Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 100 Law Society of New South Wales (NSW) Professional Standards Act 1984 (NSW) Professional Standards Act 1999 (NSW), s 28 Cases Cited: Astley v AusTrust Ltd [1999] HCA 6; 197 CLR 1 Brookfield Multiplex Ltd v Owners Corporation Strata Plan 61288 (2014) 254 CLR 185; [2014] HCA 36 Caltex Refineries (Qld) Pty Ltd v Stavar (2009) 75 NSWLR 649; [2009] NSWCA 258 Gould v Vaggelas [1984] HCA 68; 157 CLR 215 Henville v Walker [2001] HCA 52; 206 CLR 459 Ku-ring-gai Council v Chan [2017] NSWCA 226 Perre v Apand Pty Ltd (1999) 198 CLR 180; [1999] HCA 36 Pollard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Engineering Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 99; (2008) Aust Torts Reports 81–949 Potts v Miller [1940] HCA 43; 64 CLR 282 Ryan Wealth Holdings Pty Ltd v Baumgartner [2018] NSWSC 1502; 131 ACSR 236 Sullivan v Moody (2001) 207 CLR 562; [2001] HCA 59 Victorian X-Ray Group Pty Ltd v Malouf t/a Malouf Solicitors (No 3) [2024] NSWSC 888 Wallace v Kam [2013] HCA 19; 250 CLR 375 Waverley Council v Ferreira [2005] NSWCA 418; (2005) Aust Torts Reports 81-818 Woolcock Street Investments Pty Ltd v CDG Pty Ltd (2004) 216 CLR 515; [2004] HCA 16 Category: Principal judgment Parties: S&P Gomes Pty Ltd ta Cohuna Hotel Motel (First Plaintiff) Paul Gomes (Second Plaintiff) Mohan Sundar ta Sun Legal (First Defendant) Gannawarra Shire Council (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: A Avery-Williams (First Defendant) I Griscti (Second Defendant)