Ashfield Municipal Council v RTA [2004] NSWSC 917

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Ashfield Municipal Council v RTA [2004] NSWSC 917 HEARING DATE(S) : 01/10/04 JUDGMENT DATE : 6 October 2004 JURISDICTION: Equity Division JUDGMENT OF : Barrett J DECISION : Order for discovery

CATCHWORDS : PROCEDURE - discovery - legal professional privilege - conclusion stated in counsel's opinion quoted in client's letter to opposing party - whether privilege waived - whether production of opinion will serve legitimate forensic purpose LEGISLATION CITED : Roads Act 1993, s.138 Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd v Spalvins (1998) 81 FCR 360 Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation [1948] 1 KB 223 Attorney-General of the Northern Territory v Maurice (1986) 161 CLR 475 Australian Unity Health Ltd v Private Health Insurance Administration [1999] FCA 1770 Bennett v Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Customs Service [2004] FCAFC 237 CASES CITED : Fort Dodge Australia Pty Ltd v Nature Vet Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 501 Garratt's Ltd v Thanga Thangathurai [2002] NSWSC 39 Mann v Carnell (1999) 201 CLR 1 Perpetual Trustees (WA) Ltd v Equuscorp Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 925 Singapore Airlines Ltd v Sydney Airports Corporation Ltd [2004] NSWSC 380 Telstra Corporation Ltd v BT Australasia Pty Ltd (1998) 85 FCR 152 Ashfield Municipal Council - Plaintiff PARTIES : Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW - First Defendant Connell Wagner - Second efendant FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 5287/04 COUNSEL : Mr J Lazarus - Plaintiff Mr J B Simpkins SC/Mr R P L Lancaster - Defendant SOLICITORS : Pike Pike & Fenwick - Plaintiff Deacons - Defendant