Johnston v Smith [2002] NSWSC 409

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Johnston v Smith [2002] NSWSC 409 FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 20743/01 HEARING DATE(S) : 7-05-02, 10-05-02 JUDGMENT DATE : 10 May 2002

PARTIES : Michael Peter Johnston Roderick Alexandre Smith & ors JUDGMENT OF : O'Keefe J at 1

LOWER COURT Supreme Court (Master) JURISDICTION : LOWER COURT 20743/01 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Master Harrison JUDICIAL OFFICER :

COUNSEL : P - Mr J Wilson D - Mr J E Marshall SOLICITORS : P - Moray and Agnew D5 - Chegwidden Solicitors CATCHWORDS : Practice and procedure - Pleading - Requirements for proper pleading - Summary dismissal or stay - Principles - Striking out - Difference in tests for summary dismissal and striking out - Conspiracy - Necessity to plead with particularity - Negligence - Interference with decision by the Master LEGISLATION CITED : Supreme Court Rules, Pt 13 r 5, Pt 15 r 7, r 26, r 13 Common Law Procedure Act 1897, s 61 Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioners (1949) 78 CLR 62 General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (1964) 112 CLR 125 Webster v Lampard (1993) 177 CLR 598 Agar v Hyde (2000) 201 CLR 552 Banque Commerciale SA En Liquidation v Akhil Holdings Limited (1990) 169 CLR 279 CASES CITED : Williams v Hursey (1959) 103 CLR 30 at 107 R v Associated Northern Collieries (1911) 14 CLR 387 at 400 Rajski v Baintin (1990) 22 NSWLR 125 at 140 Union Bank of Australia v Rudder (1911) 13 CLR 152 at 163 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 State of New South Wales v Connor [1999] NSWCA 251 DECISION : 1. Appeal allowed; 2. Orders of the Master set aside; 3. Paragraphs 7, 14, 15, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55(c) of the Statement of Claim and such of the introductory portion of paragraph 55 as alleges "and the Fifth Defendant" struck out; 4. The plaintiff to have leave to re-plead in negligence and conspiracy against the fifth defendant within 28 days of the date hereof; 5. The plaintiff to pay the costs of the appeal and of the proceedings before the Master.