Shellharbour City Council v Stewart [2007] NSWLEC 727

Land and Environment Court of New South Wales

CITATION : Shellharbour City Council v Stewart [2007] NSWLEC 727

APPLICANT: Shellharbour City Council

FIRST RESPONDENT: Helen Stewart

PARTIES : SECOND RESPONDENT: Geoff Rose

THIRD RESPONDENT: Leon Cicolini

FILE NUMBER(S) : 41097 of 2006

CORAM: Biscoe J

KEY ISSUES: Costs :- class 4 proceedings discontinued by applicant before trial without consent - whether power to order respondent to pay applicant's costs and, if so, whether such an order should be made - whether applicant should pay respondent's costs - whether applicant should pay respondent's costs on indemnity basis because it had engaged in unreasonable conduct or because of non-acceptance of settlement offer - whether Calderbank principles relevant where a party offers to settle on basis that other party surrender and pay costs.

Land and Environment Court Act 1979, s 69(2) LEGISLATION CITED: Land and Environment Court Rules 1996, Pt 11 r 5, Pt 15 r 7 Local Government Act 1993, ss 664(1), 664(1A) Local Government Act 1993, s 664(1)

Ballina Shire Council v Stubberfield (No 2) [2006] NSWLEC 538; Calderbank v Calderbank [1975] 3 WLR 586; Dukemaster Pty Ltd v Bluehive Pty Ltd [2003] FCAFC 1; F & D Bonaccorso Pty Ltd v City of Canada Bay Council (No 3) [2007] NSWLEC 569; Fountain Selected Meats (Sales) v International Produce Merchants Ltd (1988) 81 ALR 397; Harrison v Schipp [2001] NSWCA 13; J-Corp Pty Ltd v Australian Builders Labourers Federated Union of Workers (No 2) (1993) 46 IR 301; CASES CITED: Jones v Bradley (No 2) [2003] NSWCA 258; Kiama Council v Grant (2006) 143 LGERA 441; Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534; Maule v Liporoni (No 2) (2002) 122 LGERA 216; Mead v Watson as Liquidator for Hypec Electronics (2005) 23 ACLC 718; Morrison v Defence Maritime Service Pty Ltd and Ors [2007] NSWLEC 552; Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72; Rosniak v Government Insurance Office (1997) 41 NSWLR 608; Westpac Banking Corporation v Victor Warren Ollis [2007] NSWSC 1008