Giordan and Sofia Margaroff v Vincent Stanizzo trading as V F Stanizzo [2009] NSWDC 294

New South Wales District Court

CITATION: Giordan and Sofia Margaroff v Vincent Stanizzo trading as V F Stanizzo [2009] NSWDC 294 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S): 3-4 September; 2-3 November 2009

JUDGMENT DATE: 13 November 2009

JURISDICTION: Civil

JUDGMENT OF: Knox SC DCJ

DECISION: Judgment for the plaintiffs against the defendant in the sum of $57,500.

CATCHWORDS: Professional negligence - instructions to solicitor to prepare caveat to protect interest - caveat not registered - subsequent dealings - scope of solicitor's duty of care - circumstances of clients' damages include loss of subdivisional potential - appportionment - concurrent wrongdoers - comparative responsibility

Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW)

Chandra and Anor v Perpetual Trustees Victoria Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 694 Curnuck v Nitschke [2001] NSWCA 176 Gallagher and ors v Carman [1990] ATR 81 Hawkins v Clayton (1988) 164 CLR 539 Heydon v NRMA (2000) 51 NSWLR 1 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8 CASES CITED: Kolavo v Pitsiakis [2003] NSWCA 59 Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Naidu [2007] NSWCA 377 O'Brien v Hooker Homes (1993) ASC 56-217; (1993) NSW SC case no. BC 9301729 Podrebersek v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 34; (1985) 59 ALJR 492 Reinhold v NSW Lotteries Corporation (No 2) [2008] NSWSC 187 Sydney Water Corporation v Turano [2009] HCA 42 Vinidex Tubemakers Pty Ltd v Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd [2000] NSWCA 67 Winnote Pty Ltd v Page [2006] NSWCA 287