Bamforth v Betcke & Ors [2003] NSWCA 116

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Bamforth v Betcke & Ors [2003] NSWCA 116 HEARING DATE(S) : 1 May 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 15 May 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Mason P at 1; Giles JA at 2; Santow J at 70 DECISION : (1) In each of proceedings 40023/02, 40024/02, 40027/02 and 40028/02, appeal dismissed with costs. (2) In Pyojed's application: (a) Extend the time for applying for leave to apeal up to and including 1 May 2003; (b) Grant leave to appeal, limited to the question of whether the discretion to reinstate the proceedings was properly exercised in all the circumstances, including the evidence or lack of it, explaining and justifying the cumulative delays, and direct that the notice of appeal be filed within seven days; (c) Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS : Proceedings in District Court - orders that particulars be provided - failures to provide particulars - dismissal orders under Pt 18 r 3 of the rules - preliminary dismissal orders open to be set aside under Pt 1 r 7A(5) - applications made but after the 28 day period in the rule - orders made - appeals by leave by two defendants - cross-defendant made late application seeking to appeal - standing of cross-defendant - whether should be permitted to appeal - should be permitted because would not put plaintiffs further at risk - whether time properly extended - whether orders setting aside dismissal orders properly made - discussion of significance in application under Pt 1 r 7A(5) of explanation excusing the original failures - and in application for extension of time - held error not shown in exercises of discretion. D Agtrack (NT) Pty Ltd v Hatfield [2003] VSCA 6; Commercial Union Assurance Company of Australia Ltd v Ferrcom Pty Ltd (1991) 22 NSWLR 389; FAI General Insurance Co Ltd v Southern Cross Exploration NL (1988) 165 CLR 268; Ho v Powell (2001) 51 NSWLR 572; CASES CITED : House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; Insurance Exchange of Australasia v Dooley (2000) 50 NSWLR 222; Micallef v ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 274; National Parks and Wildlife Service v Pierson (2002) 55 NSWLR 315. Technical Team Projects Pty Ltd v Noble Dunn Pty Ltd (1990)20 NSWLR 221; Ronald Barlow Bamforth v Violet Ann Betcke, Pyojed Pty Ltd and Peter Morris PARTIES : Ronald Barlow Bamforth v Raylene Betcke, Pyojed Pty Ltd and Peter Morris Peter Morris v Violet Ann Betcke, Pyojed Pty Ltd and Ronald Barlow Bamforth Peter Morris v Raylene Betcke, Pyojed Pty Ltd and Ronald Barlow Bamforth FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40023/02; 40024/02; 40027/02; 40028/02 I Faulkner SC - Ronald Barlow Bamforth G Miller QC - Peter Morris COUNSEL : L King SC & P Regattieri - Raylene Betcke C Evatt QC & A Canceri - Violet Ann Betcke R A Pepper - Pyojed Pty Ltd Harris Wheeler Lawyers, Newcastle - Ronald Barlow Bamforth Riley Gray-Spencer Lawyers - Peter Morris SOLICITORS : Peacocke, Dickens & Price, Dubbo - Raylene Betcke Andrew Fegent & Co - Violet Ann Betcke James Solicitors - Pyojed Pty Ltd