New Cap Reinsurance v Reaseguros Alianza SA [2004] NSWSC 787

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : New Cap Reinsurance v Reaseguros Alianza SA [2004] NSWSC 787 HEARING DATE(S) : 09/07/04 JUDGMENT DATE : 31 August 2004

JUDGMENT OF : White J DECISION : 1. Grant leave to the plaintiffs to file an Amended Statement of Claim in the form of the draft Amended Statement of Claim which is exhibit KAM 17 to the affidavit of Katherine Alison Merrick affirmed 25 February 2004 subject to the correction of typographical errors and omissions; 2. Direct that the plaintiffs file an amended Originating Process incorporating the additional claims for relief referred to in the Amended Statement of Claim. Those documents are to be filed and served within seven days; 3. The plaintiffs pay the costs of the defendant thrown away by reason of the amendments; 4. Costs of the Interlocutory Process filed on 26 February 2004 be the plaintiffs' costs in the proceedings.

CATCHWORDS : Corporations - s 588FF(3) considered - Whether claim for extension of time under s 588FF(3)(b) validly made - Whether claim abandoned on filing statement of claim which did not seek extension - Whether s 588FF(3)(b) precluded amendment pursuant to SCR Pt 20 - Delay in seeking to make amendments - Whether causes of action alleged in amendments statute barred - Whether extension of time for bringing fresh action under s 588FF(1) would be granted under s 588FF(3)(b) - Discretionary considerations - Absence of prejudice to defendant - Possibility of substantial hardship to plaintiffs if amendment refused - SCR Pt 20 r 4(5) considered - Meaning of "substantially the same facts" discussed - Pt 20 r 1 considered - McGee v Yeomans [1977] 1 NSWLR 273 - Proctor v Jetway Aviation Pty Ltd [1984] 1 NSWLR 166, and Clutha v Millar (No. 2) [2002] NSWSC 523 considered. Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) LEGISLATION CITED : Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Insurance Act 1902 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) BP Australia Ltd v Brown (2003) 58 NSWLR 322 Clutha v Millar (No. 2) [2002] NSWSC 523 Brown v DML Resources (No. 2) (2001) NSWLR 685 Greig v Australian Building Industries Pty Ltd (in Liq) (2003) 21 ACLC 1565 McGrath & Ors v HIH Insurance (in Liq) (2004) 22 ACLC 449 Renowdin v McMullin (1970) 123 CLR 584 Supreme Court Rules Victoria Harries v Ashford [1950] 1 All ER 427 Hall v Merrick [1957] 2 QB 455 Cargill v Bower (1878) 10Chd 502 Lewis & Lewis v Durnford (1907) 24 TLR 64 English Rules Rodgers v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1998) 158 ALR 220; 28 ACSR 42 Star v National Australia Bank Ltd (1999) 30 ACSR 583 Rambaldi v Dallbrook Pty Ltd (2003) 21 ACLC 1190 CASES CITED : Federal Court Rules Supreme Court Rules NSW Australian Securities Commission v Marlborough Goldmines Ltd (1993) 177 CLR 485 Airlink Pty Ltd v Patterson (2003) 58 NSWLR 388 Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Larcos (1987) 13 NSWLR 286 Weldon v Neal (1887) 19 QBD 394 Green v Chiswell Furniture Pty Ltd (in Liq) [1999] NSWSC 608 Taylor v Woden Constructions Pty Ltd (Federal Court, 23/8/98, unreported) Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Itek Graphix Pty Ltd v Elliott (2002) 54 NSWLR 207 Burford v Clifford [1932] 2 CH 122 Brickfield Properties Ltd v Newton [1971] 3 All ER 328 Glebe Administration Board v National Australia Bank Bainton J, 4 March 1996 unreported; BC 9600362 McGee v Yeomans [1977] 1 NSWLR 273 Proctor v Jetway Aviation Pty Ltd [1984] 1 NSWLR 166 Fernance v the Nominal Defendant (1989) 17 NSWLR Leon Fink Holdings Pty Ltd v Australian Film Commission (1979) 141 CLR 672 New Cap Reinsurance Corporation PARTIES : v Reaseguros Alianza SA FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 2309/02 COUNSEL : Plaintiff: P Dowdy Defendant: R McFarlan QC, P Fury SOLICITORS : Plaintiff: Henry Davis York Defendant: Hunt & Hunt