Reginald Alfred Becker v Public Trustee of New South Wales & 2 ors [2006] NSWSC 1146

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Reginald Alfred Becker v Public Trustee of New South Wales & 2 ors [2006] NSWSC 1146

HEARING DATE(S) : 18.09.06

JUDGMENT DATE : 2 November 2006

JUDGMENT OF : Nicholas J

DECISION : para 63

CATCHWORDS : COSTS – Contested probate application on grounds of want of approval and undue influence – whether unsuccessful party should pay costs of the proceedings – whether exceptions to ordinary costs rule established – offer of compromise and Calderbank offers – whether costs sanctions apply in proceedings for grant of probate where offers not accepted – whether circumstances justify indemnity costs

LEGISLATION CITED : Civil Procedure Act s 98 UCPR Pt 20 Div 4, Pt 42

Bardon, Re v Florence; Shekelton v Bardon; Estate Ruah Jeanette Bardon [Unreported, NSWSC, 15 December 1983] Boyse v Rossborough (1857) 6 HLC 1; 10 ER 1192 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Calderbank v Calderbank [1975] 3 WLR 586 Colgate Palmolive v Cussons (1993) 118 ALR 248 Leichhardt Municipal Council v Green [2004] NSWCA 341 CASES CITED : Miller v Jones [1999] NSWCA 467 Mitchell v Gard [1863] 3 Sw & Tr 275 Re Estate Late Hazel Ruby Grounds; Page v Sedawie [2005] NSWSC 1311 Re Cutcliffe's Estate [1959] P 6 Revie v Druitt [2005] NSWSC 902 Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315 Wingrove v Wingrove (1885) 11 PD 81 Winter v Crichton (1991) 23 NSWLR 116

Reginald Alfred Becker - plaintiff PARTIES : Public Trustee of New South Wales - first defendant The Royal Flying Doctor Service - second defendant The Salvation Army - third defendant