Michael David & 19 Ors v Vamiso Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 326

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Michael David & 19 Ors v Vamiso Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 326 revised - 27/04/2004 HEARING DATE(S) : 20 and 22 April 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 22 April 2004

JURISDICTION: Equity Division Technology & Construction List JUDGMENT OF : Bergin J DECISION : Motion dismissed

CATCHWORDS : [Referees] - [ Bias] - Application to remove referee on grounds of actual and apprehended bias - allegation of "interference" in agreement between experts during a conclave said to evidence actual bias - allegation of friendship between counsel and referee - referee retained to provide an expert opinion for a client by firm of solicitors appearing for a different client in the reference. Aussie Airlines Pty Ltd v Australian Airlines Pty Ltd (1996) 65 FCR 215 Ex Parte Blume & Anor; re Osbourne & Ors (1958) SR (NSW) 334 Davie v Lord Provost; Magistrates and Councillors of the City of Edinburgh 1953 SC 34 Fingelton v Christian Ivanoff Pty Ltd (1976) 14 SASR 530 Holmes v Neilson [1979] Tas R 89 Kennedy v Cahill (1995) 118 FLR 60 CASES CITED : Laws v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1990) 170 CLR 70 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 Najjar v Haines (1991) 25 NSWLR 224 S & M Motor Repairs Pty Ltd & Ors v Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd & Anor (1988) 12 NSWLR 358 Sun v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1997) 81 FCR 71 Super Pty Ltd v SJP Formwork (Aust) Pty Ltd (1992) 29 NSWLR 549 Tracomin SA v Gibbs Nathaniel (Canada) Ltd [1985] 1 Lloyd's Rep 586 PARTIES : Michael David and 19 others (Plaintiffs) Vamiso Pty Ltd (Defendant) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 55038/01 COUNSEL : S Littlemore QC, V Gray (Plaintiffs) G Reynolds SC, J Hmelnitsky (Defendant) SOLICITORS : Malcolm Johns & Company (Plaintiffs) Henry Davis York (Defendants)