British American Tobacco Australia Services Limited v Laurie [2009] NSWSC 83

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : British American Tobacco Australia Services Limited v Laurie [2009] NSWSC 83

HEARING DATE(S) : 6 February 2009

JUDGMENT DATE : 27 February 2009

JUDGMENT OF : Harrison J

DECISION : Summons dismissed

CATCHWORDS : CROSS VESTING - Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-Vesting) Act 1987 – s 5(2)(b)(iii) and s 8(1) – application for proceedings pending in the Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales to be removed into the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and when removed to this Court to be transferred to the Supreme Court of Victoria - whether it is in the "interests of justice" under s 5(2)(b)(iii) for proceedings to be transferred to the Supreme Court of another state – whether Victoria is the forum with the most real and substantial connection to the proceedings – document destruction allegations – whether allegations had a particular connection to Victoria – evidence taken by trial judge at bedside hearing in Texas – potential significance of observations made by trial judge as to credit, credibility and demeanour – summons dismissed

Administration and Probate Act 1958 (Vic) Compensation to Relatives Act 1897 Dust Diseases Tribunal Act 1989 LEGISLATION CITED : Dust Diseases Tribunal Regulation 2007 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-Vesting) Act 1987 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1944 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic)

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Amaca Pty Limited v Frost [2006] NSWCA 173; (2006) 67 NSWLR 635 Amaca Pty Limited v Mundy [2008] NSWSC 604 Bankinvest AG v Seabrook (1988) 14 NSWLR 711 BHP Billiton Limited v Schultz [2004] HCA 61; (2004) 221 CLR 400 Blunden v Commonwealth [2003] HCA 73; (2003) 218 CLR 330 British American Tobacco Australia Limited v Gordon [2007] NSWSC 230 British American Tobacco Australia Services Limited v Cowell [2002] VSCA 197 CASES CITED : Cowell v British American Tobacco Australia Services Limited [2007] VSCA 301 Harman v Home Office [1983] 1 AC 280 James Hardie & Company Pty Limited v Barry [2000] NSWCA 353; (2000) 50 NSWLR 357 McCabe v British American Tobacco Australia Services Limited [2002] VSC 73 McCabe v British American Tobacco Australia Services Limited [2007] VSC 216 Spilliada Maritime Corp v Cansulex Limited [1987] 1 AC 460 Valceski v Valceski [2007] NSWSC 440; (2007) 70 NSWLR 36 Volkswagen Financial Services Australia Ltd v City Prestige Service Centre Pty Limited [2007] NSWSC 203