Hans Pet Constructions Pty Limited v Cassar [2009] NSWCA 230

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Hans Pet Constructions Pty Limited v Cassar [2009] NSWCA 230

HEARING DATE(S): 16 July 2009

JUDGMENT DATE: 31 July 2009

JUDGMENT OF: Allsop ACJ at 1; Campbell JA at 49; Young JA at 50

1. Leave to appeal granted. DECISION: 2. The appellant to file a Notice of Appeal within 7 days. 3. Appeal dismissed. 4. Appellant pay the respondent's costs.

CATCHWORDS: PROCEDURE - judgments and orders – orders striking out defence – defendants seeking to vacate hearing date – delay in obtaining evidence and particulars from the plaintiff - no notice of motion filed by defendant to vacate hearing date – review of decision of magistrate striking out defence – relevant considerations – Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) s 58 – failure to take into account statutorily required considerations of Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) s 56 and s57 – just determination of the proceedings – matter not given weight as a fundamental element in the decision making process - proportional use of power to strike out defence - Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) – s 56 – s 57 – s 58 – s 61

Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED: Uniform Civil Procedure Rules (NSW) Local Court Practice Note No 1 of 2005

CATEGORY: Principal judgment

Allen v Sir Alfred McAlpine & Sons Ltd [1968] 2 QB 229 British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd v Cowell (Representing the Estate of McCabe (deceased)) [2002] VSCA 197; 7 VR 524 Cassar v Hans Pet Constructions Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 1386). Commissioner of Police for New South Wales v Industrial Commission of New South Wales & Raymond Sewell [2009] NSWCA 198 CASES CITED: Dennis v Australian Broadcasting Commission [2008] NSWCA 37 House v R [1936] HCA 40; 55 CLR 499 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Limited [1986] HCA 40; 162 CLR 24 Palmer Tube Mills (Aust) Pty Ltd v Semi [1998] 4 VR 439 Queensland v JL Holdings Pty Ltd [1997] HCA 1; 189 CLR 146 Szczygiel v Peeku Holdings [2006] NSWSC 73