Iovanescu v McDermott [2004] NSWCA 106

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Iovanescu v McDermott [2004] NSWCA 106 HEARING DATE(S) : 17 March 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 5 April 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Sheller JA at 1; Young CJ in Eq at 2; Windeyer J at 8 DECISION : Leave to appeal granted. Appeal allowed

CATCHWORDS : LIMITATION OF ACTION - extension of time - exercise of discretion by court - claim for extension of time to seek rescission of dismissal of case involving extensive delays - no adequate explanation for delay - appeal from District Court allowed LEGISLATION CITED : District Court Rules Pt 1, r5 Pt 3 r1, Pt 3 r2, Pt12 r4C, Pt26, r4B Suitors Fund Act 1951 Falconer v Laird [2003] NSWCA 114 CASES CITED : Holt v Wynter (2000) 49 NSWLR 128 Salido v Nominal Defendant (1993) 32 NSWLR 524 State of Queensland & anor v J L Holdings Pty Limited (1997) 189 CLR 146 PARTIES : Teodore Iovanescu (Appellant) Stephen McDermott (Respondent) FILE NUMBER(S) : CA CA 40570 OF 2003 COUNSEL : Mr P J Deakin QC with him Mr M Vesper (Appellant) Mr P J Doherty SC with him Mr R Grace (Respondent) SOLICITORS : Sparke Helmore (Appellant) Maurice May & Co (Respondent)

LOWER COURT District Court JURISDICTION : LOWER COURT 4827 of 1993 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Nicholson DCJ JUDICIAL OFFICER :

- 8 - IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL CA 40570/03

SHELLER JA, YOUNG CJ in Eq WINDEYER J