Middleton v Erwin (No 2) [2009] NSWSC 200

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Middleton v Erwin (No 2) [2009] NSWSC 200

HEARING DATE(S) : 20 March 2009

JUDGMENT DATE : 27 March 2009

JUDGMENT OF : Harrison J

1. Verdict for the plaintiff against the first defendant for $3,200,000. 2. Order the first defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs. DECISION : 3. Verdict for the second defendant on the plaintiff's claim. 4. Order the plaintiff to pay the second defendant's costs. 5. Dismiss the first defendant's cross-claim against the second defendant with costs.

CATCHWORDS : COSTS – Bullock or Sanderson order – whether conduct of the first defendant made it fair to impose liability upon him to pay the costs the second defendant – whether reasonable to join the second defendant – plaintiff not entitled to Bullock order

CATEGORY : Consequential orders

ACQ v Cook (No 2); Aircair Moree v Cook (No 2); Cook v Country Energy (No 2); Country Energy v Cook (No 2) [2008] NSWCA 306 Almeida v Universal Dye Works Pty Ltd (No 2) [2001] NSWCA 156 Bullock v London General Omnibus Co [1907] 1 KB 264 Gould v Vaggelas [1985] HCA 85; (1984) 157 CLR 215 CASES CITED : Great Lakes Shire Council v Dederer; Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer [No 2] [2006] NSWCA 336 Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW, Council of the Shire of Evans & Pioneer Road Services Pty Ltd v Palmer (No 2) [2005] NSWCA 140 Sanderson v Blyth Theatre Co [1903] 2 KB 533 Steppke v National Capital Development Commission (1978) 21 ACTR 23 Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee v Gibson [2000] NSWCA 179 The Nominal Defendant v Swift; Wollondilly Shire Council v Swift [2007] NSWCA 56