Hariss v Konstantinidis trading as Konstan Lawyers [2007] NSWDC 124

New South Wales District Court

CITATION: Hariss v Konstantinidis trading as Konstan Lawyers [2007] NSWDC 124 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S): 30 April 2007, 1 May 2007, 2 May 2007, 3 May 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 21 June 2007

JURISDICTION: Civil

JUDGMENT OF: Hungerford ADCJ at 1

DECISION: Verdict for the defendant.; Plaintiff to pay the defendant's costs of the action.

CATCHWORDS: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS - whether solicitor negligent - client injured at work on 11 November 1995 - liability of solicitor in failing to advise common law rights and election provisions under Workers Compensation Act 1987 - expiration of limitation period on 12 November 1998 - workers compensation benefits commuted on 8 April 1999 - loss of both common law damages and future workers compensation benefits - whether client able to make an informed decision on advice given - solicitor not negligent.

LEGISLATION CITED: Workers Compensation Act 1987, ss66, 67, 68(1), 68A, 151A(2), 151A(3), 151D(2), 151G, 151H Evidence Act 1995, ss76, 79

Bankstown Foundry Pty Ltd v Braistina (1986) 160 CLR 301 Chamberlain v Ormsby t/as Ormsby Flower [2005] NSWCA 454 Cheng Peng v PM Industries Pty Ltd (unreported, NSWSC, 31 October 1996) Crimmins v Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee (1999) 200 CLR 1 Dunn v Firth [2003] NSWCA 280 Maricair v Principal & Councillors of Wesley College (2000) 19 NSWCCR 368 CASES CITED: Midland Trust Bank Co Ltd v Hett Stubbs & Kemp [1979] Ch 384 Nicol v Allyacht Spars Pty Limited (1987) 163 CLR 611 North Broken Hill Ltd v Vockins (1999) 19 NSWCCR 193 O'Brien v Gillespie (1997) 41 NSWLR 549 O'Connor v Commissioner for Government Transport (1959) 100 CLR 225 Rabelais Pty Ltd v Cameron (unreported, NSWSC, 8 February 1993) Sungravure Pty Ltd v Meani (1964) 110 CLR 24