Swart v Carr; Swart v LawCover Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 1302

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Swart v Carr; Swart v LawCover Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 1302

HEARING DATE(S) : 17 to 24 July 2006

JUDGMENT DATE : 1 December 2006

JURISDICTION : Equity Division

JUDGMENT OF : Palmer J

DECISION : In 3022 of 2003: Judgment for the First Plaintiff; Cross Claim dismissed.; In 1395 of 2004: Declaration as sought by Plaintiffs.

CATCHWORDS : SOLICITORS – CONTRACT – PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY – Whether solicitor investing money of an investor is acting in his or her capacity as solicitor – when is a solicitor not a solicitor – principles discussed – what is carrying on the business of a solicitor – whether solicitor's indemnity policy responds to claim.

LEGISLATION CITED : Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) – s.100(1) Statute of Merton 1235

- Allen v Aldridge (1843-44) 5 Beav 401 [49 ER 633] - Baker, Lees & Co, In re [1903] 1 KB 189 - Cornall v Nagle [1995] 2 VR 188 - Dooby v Watson (1888) 39 Ch D 178 - Haines v Bendall (1991) 172 CLR 60 - Hughes v Mayre (1789) 3 TR 275 [100 ER 572] - MBP (SA) Pty Ltd v Gogic (1991) 171 CLR 657 - Oliver, In re (1867) 36 L.J.(Ch) 261 CASES CITED : - Osborne, In re (1858) 25 Beav 353 [53 ER 671] - Piper Double Glazing Ltd v DC Contracts (1992) Ltd [1994] 1 All ER 177 - Rawes v Rawes (1836) 7 Sim 624 [5 LJ(NS)] - Solicitors' Liability Committee v Gray & Winter (1997) 77 FCR 1 - Sudlow and Kingdom, In re (1849) 11 Beav 400 [50 ER 871] "A History of English Law", Holdsworth Vol VI pp 448-457 "The Legal Profession and the Common Law", J.H. Baker (1986) p 125ff. "Principles of the Law of Trusts", Ford & Lee, para 14030, p 14,2053 "A Short History of Solicitors", E.B.V. Christian (1896) pp 70-110