Dimitra Cassidy v Eric J Leslie [2010] NSWSC 742

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Dimitra Cassidy v Eric J Leslie [2010] NSWSC 742

HEARING DATE(S) : 05/07/2010

JUDGMENT DATE : 9 July 2010

JUDGMENT OF : Hoeben J

Question (i) answered in the affirmative. DECISION : Question (ii) answered in the negative. Cross-Defendant is to pay the Cross-Claimant's costs of the hearing of this separate question.

CATCHWORDS : INSURANCE - Professional indemnity policy taken out by valuer - letter to valuer asserting possibility of substantial shortfall on sale of property - definition of "claim" in insurance policy - whether contents of letter constituted "claim" for purposes of insurance policy - letter did constitute a claim under policy.

Insurance Contract Act 1984 (Comm) LEGISLATION CITED : Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Valuers Act 2003 (NSW)

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

East End Real Estate Pty Limited v CE Heath Casualty and General Insurance Limited (1991) 25 NSWLR 400 HIH Casualty and General Insurance Limited v Pade [2000] NSWCA 325, (2001) 11 ANZ Ins Cases 61-481 Junemill Limited (in Liquidation) v FAI General Insurance Company Limited [1999] 2 Qd R 136 CASES CITED : Thorman v New Hampshire Insurance Co (1988) 1 Lloyds Reports 7 Transport Industries Insurance Co Ltd v NSW Medical Defence Union Limited (1986) 4 ANZ Ins Cases 60-736 Triden Properties Limited v Capita Financial Group Limited (NSWCA, 15 November 1995) Walton v National Employers' Insurance Association (1973) 2 NSWLR 72

Dimitra Cassidy as Trusteeof the Cassidy Family Trust - Plaintiff PARTIES : Eric J Leslie trading as EJM Leslie Registered Valuer No 584 - Defendant Eric J Leslie trading as EJM Leslie Registered Valuer No 584 - Cross-Claimant Calliden Limited - Cross-Defendant