Gigi Entertainment Pty Limited v Basil John Macree [2011] NSWSC 856

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Gigi Entertainment Pty Limited v Basil John Macree [2011] NSWSC 856 Hearing dates: 3 August 2011 Decision date: 05 August 2011 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Duty List Before: Slattery J Decision: Directions given for the parties to attempt to resolve remaining issues in relation to the possible transfer of the litigation file with the defendant to the new solicitor for the plaintiff, in light of the Court's finding that the defendant terminated his retainer by the plaintiff. If no resolution occurs the proceedings are adjourned to 11 August 2011 for further hearing. Catchwords: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS - solicitor's retainer - client's retainer of solicitor terminated - client seeks transfer of file to new solicitor - solicitor claims possessory lien for unpaid fees - whether solicitor or client terminated retainer - HELD: solicitor terminated retainer. Legislation Cited: Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW), s 728 Cases Cited: Bechara t/as Bechara & Co v Atie & Anor [2005] NSWCA 268 Bolster v McCallum (1966) 85 WN (Pt 1)(NSW) 281 Cosgriff v Isaac Brott & Co [2008] VSC 515 Gamlen Chemicals Co (UK) Ltd v Rochem (1980) 1 WLR 614 Hughes v Hughes [1958] P 224 Jankowski v Mastoris (1996) ANZ ConvR 324 Major Projects Pty Limited v Sibmark Pty Limited [1992] ANZ Conv R 349 Nicholson v Knaggs (No. 2) [2009] VSC 187 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Plaintiff- Gigi Entertainment Pty Limited Defendant- Basil John Macree Representation: Plaintiff- J.P. Redmond (on 3 August 2011) Defendant- M.Bateman Plaintiff- M. Chenowerth (on 5 August 2011), O'Neill Partners File Number(s): 2011/239722 Publication restriction: No.