Papathanasopoulos v Vacopoulos [2007] NSWSC 502

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Papathanasopoulos v Vacopoulos [2007] NSWSC 502

HEARING DATE(S) : 16 May 2007

JUDGMENT DATE : 18 May 2007

JUDGMENT OF : Smart AJ at 1

DECISION : Summons dismissed. Papathanasopoulos to pay the costs of Vacopoulos of the proceedings in this Court

CATCHWORDS : Engagement ring given in contemplation of marriage - when it should be returned and when it may be retained - whether subsequent statements of donor made a conditional gift absolute - donee rejects gift - when donee became a bailee - duties of bailee - not entitled to throw ring in garbage bin and tell bailor to collect it from there

LEGISLATION CITED : Nil

Cohen v Sellar 1926 1 KB 536 CASES CITED : Grundt v The Great Boulder Proprietary Gold Mines Ltd (1937) 59 CLR 641 Hoath v Connect Internet Services Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 158

PARTIES : Vicky Papathanaspopoulos v Andrew Vacopoulos

FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 15447/06

COUNSEL : (P) Mr C Wilson (Papathanasopoulos) (D) Mr A Jamieson (Vacopoulos)

(P) Theo Voros (Papathanasopoulos) SOLICITORS : (D) Messrs Robert Williams Lawyers (Vacopoulos)

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : Local Court

LOWER COURT FILE NUMBER(S) : 200/06 (Civil Claims - Manly)

LOWER COURT JUDICIAL OFFICER : Magistrate George

LOWER COURT DATE OF DECISION : 28 September 2006

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COMMON LAW DIVISION

SMART AJ

Friday, 18 May 2007

15447/06: Vicky PAPATHANASOPOULOS v Andrew VACOPOULOS JUDGMENT 1 This is an appeal from the decision of a magistrate giving judgment in detinue for the value of an engagement ring. Such an appeal is limited to questions of law. It is for the magistrate to decide the facts.