Edwards Madigan Torzillo Briggs Pty Ltd v Gloria Stack & Ors [2003] NSWCA 302

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Edwards Madigan Torzillo Briggs Pty Ltd v Gloria Stack & Ors [2003] NSWCA 302 HEARING DATE(S) : 01/10/03 JUDGMENT DATE : 16 October 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Mason P at 1; Meagher JA at 2; Davies AJA at 3 DECISION : Refuse leave to appeal with costs.

CATCHWORDS : Costs - proceedings resolved without determination of liability in respect of several defendants - whether judge bound to award costs against plaintiff where judgment entered in favour of a defendant - whether judge entitled to assess the reasonableness of the actions of the parties - principles discussed - whether a Calderbank offer as an early stage giving 14 days to respond was reasonable. LEGISLATION CITED : Supreme Court Act 1970 s 76, Supreme Court Rules Part 22 rule 3 Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72 CASES CITED : Re The Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs Ex Parte Lai Qin (1997) 186 CLR 622 One Tel Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (2000) 101 FCR 548 Jones v Bradley (No. 2) [2003] NSWCA 258 PARTIES : Appellant: Edwards Madigan Torzillo Briggs Pty Ltd Respondent: Gloria Stack & 14 Ors FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 41191/02 COUNSEL : Appellant: Mr P Biscoe QC, Miss I L Collins First respondent:B J Evans QC submitting Second, nineth,tenth respondent and eleventh Respondents: Mr I Maconachie QC, R Sheldon SOLICITORS : Appellant: Minter Ellison Lawyers First Respondent: Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers

LOWER COURT Supreme Court - Common Law Division JURISDICTION : LOWER COURT 20737/97 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Cooper AJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :