Baker v Sheridan [2005] NSWSC 89

Reported Decision : (2005) Aust Torts Reports 81-788

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Baker v Sheridan [2005] NSWSC 89

HEARING DATE(S) : 26/05/04-28/05/04, 31/05/04, 01/06/04-04/06/04, 23/08/04-26/08/04, 30/08/04, 01/09/04-03/09/04, 08/09/04-09/09/04, 06/12/04-7/12/04, 9/12/04-10/12/04

JUDGMENT DATE : 24 February 2005

JUDGMENT OF : James J at 1

DECISION : Verdicts for the First Defendants, Second Defendant and Third Defendant

CATCHWORDS : LEGAL PRACTITIONERS - Solicitors - tort of negligence - contract - alleged breach of duty of care - first defendant was acting as solicitor for the plaintiff - scope of solicitor's duty - whether the duty extended to matters outside the terms of the retainer - unsought advice on the wisdom of the proposed transaction - independent legal advice - whether there had been breaches of solicitor's obligation - whether any such breaches had caused damage to the plaintiff - plaintiff transferred various parcels of land to son and nephew - solicitor acted for all parties to the transaction - UNDUE INFLUENCE - UNCONSCIONABLE CONDUCT - whether plaintiff induced to enter into the transaction by alleged undue influence and/or unconscionable conduct of the second defendant

Blomley v Ryan (1956) 99 CLR 362 Clark Boyce v Mouat [1994] 1 AC 428 Citicorp Australia Limited v O'Brien (1996) 40 NSWLR 398 Commercial Bank of Australia Limited v Amadio (1983) 151 CLR 447 Dominelli Ford (Hurstville) Pty Limited v Karmot Auto Spares Pty Limited (1992) 38 FCR 471 CASES CITED : Gould v Vaggelas (1985) 157 CLR 215 Hawkins v Clayton (1988) 164 CLR 539 Johnson v Buttress (1936) 56 CLR 113 Louth v Diprose (1992) 175 CLR 621 Nikolic v Nikolic [2002] NSWCA 248 Waimond Pty Limited v Byrne (1989) 18 NSWLR 642