Cachia v Colaco [2003] NSWLEC 364

> Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Cachia v Colaco [2003] NSWLEC 364 Saviour Laurence Cachia (Appl/Resp on motion) PARTIES : Wilfred Servelo Colaco (Resp/Appl on motion) Doris Bella Colaco (Resp/Appl on motion) FILE NUMBER(S) : 40134 of 2001 CORAM: McClellan CJ :- FRAUD Application to set aside judgment on grounds of fraud Original proceedings included dispute about height of wall Building approval operating in relation to specifications for height of wall contained in site plan Site plan not before court in original proceedings KEY ISSUES: Whether particulars of fraud sufficient Whether respondent appreciated effect of building approval Whether fresh material facts providing basis to set aside judgment Whether respondent responsible for any fraud Whether applicants' solicitors required to exercise reasonable diligence in discovering relevant evidence HELD: as there was no fresh material fact fraud was not proved Application dismissed LEGISLATION CITED: Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 Bailey v Marinoff (1971) 125 CLR 529; DJL v Central Authority (2000) 201 CLR 226; Gamser v Nominal Defendant (1977) 136 CLR 145; Harrison v Schipp (2002) 54 NSWLR 612; Jonesco v Beard [1930] AC 298; Kettlewell v Watson (1882) 21 Ch D 685; Logue v Shoalhaven Shire Council [1979] 1 NSWLR 537; Logwon Pty Ltd v Warringah Shire Council (1993) 33 NSWLR 13 ; McDonald v McDonald (1965) 113 CLR 529; CASES CITED: McHarg v Woods Radio [1948] VLR 496; Monroe Schneider Associates (Inc) v No 1 Raberem Pty Ltd (1992) 109 ALR 137; Nocton v Lord Ashburton [1914] AC 932; Owens Bank Ltd v Bracco [1992] 2 WLR 621 ; Permanent Trustee Co (Canberra) Ltd (As executor for Estate of Andrews) v Stocks and Holdings (Canberra) Pty Ltd [1976] 28 FLR 195; Pilato v Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board (1959) 76 WN (NSW) 364; Spies v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1991) 24 NSWLR 691; Starray Pty Ltd v Sydney City Council (2001) 112 LGERA 438; Toubia v Schwenke (2002) 54 NSWLR 46; Wentworth v Rogers (No 5) (1986) 6 NSWLR 534 ; Wollong Pty Limited v Shoalhaven City Council (No 2) (2002) 122 LGERA 178. DATES OF HEARING: 12-13/11/03; 17/11/03 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 12/24/2003