Shields v Zakos [2008] NSWSC 760

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Shields v Zakos [2008] NSWSC 760

HEARING DATE(S) : 17 March 2008

JUDGMENT DATE : 25 July 2008

JURISDICTION : Common Law

JUDGMENT OF : Rothman J

(i) The appeal against the judgment of Culver LCM of 12 October 2007 be allowed; (ii) The judgment of Culver LCM of 12 October 2007, in matters 167/2007 and 266/2007, be quashed; DECISION : (iii) An order in the nature of mandamus requiring the Local Court to hear and determine, in accordance with law, the motions filed by the plaintiff herein, in matters 167/2007 and 266/2007, seeking to set aside the judgments entered therein on 30 August 2007; (iv) The defendant shall pay the plaintiffs' costs of and incidental to these proceedings, as agreed or assessed; (v) The defendant shall, to the extent otherwise eligible, be granted an indemnity certificate pursuant to the Suitors' Fund Act 1951.

CATCHWORDS : APPEAL – error of law – misconstruction of power – infection of discretion - PRACTICE – default judgment – motion to set aside – dismissal without proper opportunity of adducing evidence – refusal of adjournment.

Civil Procedure Act 2005 LEGISLATION CITED : Residential Tenancies Act 1987 Suitors' Fund Act 1951

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Director of Public Prosecutions v Gursel Ozakca and Anor [2006] NSWSC 1425 DJL v Central Authority [2000] HCA 17; 201 CLR 226 Hall Chadwick Pty Ltd v Doyle [2006] NSWSC 1195 CASES CITED : Keramianakis & Anor v Regional Publishers Pty Ltd [2007] NSWCA 375 Laws v GWS Machinery Pty Ltd & Anor; Laws v GWS Machinery Pty Ltd & Anor (No 4) [2008] NSWSC 453 Priddle v Fisher [1968] 1 WLR 1478 Sullivan v Department of Transport (1978) 20 ALR 323 Swain v Waverley Municipal Council [2005] HCA 4; 220 CLR 517