STEPHEN RESKYMER (KYM) MONKTON v EDWARD ALLAN STEPHENSON & ANOR [2011] NSWSC 67

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: STEPHEN RESKYMER (KYM) MONKTON v EDWARD ALLAN STEPHENSON & ANOR [2011] NSWSC 67 Hearing dates: Friday 10 December 2010 Decision date: 23 February 2011 Before: Hall J Decision: (1) Appeal allowed. (2) The Magistrate's decision and order made on 21 June 2010 are set aside. (3) The proceedings are remitted to the Local Court for the determination of quantum of damages in respect of the loss or destruction of the plaintiff's vehicle identified in paragraph 1 of the annexure to the statement of claim filed in the Local Court at Coonabarabran on 20 October 2008 and any claim for interest). Catchwords: STRIKING OUT - notice of motion - Local Court Judgment set aside - motor vehicle accident caused by negligently kept livestock - default judgment on non-attendance of plaintiff - striking out of defence ENFORCEMENT - stay of legal advice for plaintiff prior to default judgment - s.56 Uniform Civil Procedure Act - prejudice to creditor where monies already dispersed - error of law - default judgment of liquidated damages where claim for unliquidated damages - judgment in default obtained irregularly - to be set aside ex debito justitiae - no arguable case on liability - damages to be particularised in unambiguous terms - Local Court to re-determine damages Legislation Cited: Local Court Act 2007 Cases Cited: Gemini Property Investments Pty Limited v Woodwards Investments Pty Limited [2000] SASC 210 Watson v Anderson (1976) 13 SASR 329 Category: Principal judgment Parties: STEPHEN RESKYMER (KYM) MONKTON v EDWARD ALLAN STEPHENSON & ANOR Representation: Counsel: P: G Niven D: D A Wetmore Solicitors: P: S E O'Connor D: D A Wetmore File Number(s): 10/240423