Weller v Phipps [2010] NSWCA 323

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Weller v Phipps [2010] NSWCA 323

HEARING DATE(S): 26 August 2010

JUDGMENT DATE: 30 November 2010

JUDGMENT OF: Beazley JA at 1; Hodgson JA at 2; Young JA at 86

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS – Solicitors – Plaintiff obtains order under Family Provision Act 1982 for provision from estate consisting of a house – Plaintiff subsequently seeks advice from solicitor on a claim to the house on the basis of a promise by the deceased and/or estoppel – Costs and liability for estate's costs incurred over ensuing eight months – Whether solicitor negligent in not previously advising plaintiff, or obtaining counsel's advice, to the effect that any such claim was hopeless by reason of issue estoppel and/or Anshun estoppel – Whether expert evidence required for court to reach such a view.

LEGISLATION CITED: Civil Liability Act 2002 s 5O Family Provision Act 1982

CATEGORY: Principal judgment

Amadio Pty Ltd v Henderson (1998) 81 FCR 149 Attard v James Legal Pty Ltd [2010] NSWCA 311 Fox v Everingham (1983) 76 FLR 170 Hawkins v Clayton (1988) 164 CLR 539 Heydon v NRMA Ltd [2000] NSWCA 374; (2000) 51 NSWLR 1 Jennings v Zilahi-Kiss (1972) 2 SASR 493 CASES CITED: Moy v Pettman Smith (a firm) [2005] UKHL 7; [2005] 1 WLR 581 Neagle v Power [1967] SASR 373 Permanent Trustee Australia Limited v Boulton (1994) 33 NSWLR 735 Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Ltd [1981] HCA 45; (1981) 147 CLR 589 Rabelais Pty Limited v Cameron [1993] ANZ Conv Rep 457 Waimond v Byrne (1989) 18 NSWLR 642 Yates Property Corporation v Boland (1998) 85 FCR 84