Haddon v Steele [2011] NSWCA 323

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Haddon v Steele [2011] NSWCA 323 Hearing dates: 4 October 2011 Decision date: 04 October 2011 Before: Allsop P at 1 and 17 Giles JA at 16 Decision: Application for leave to appeal dismissed with costs. [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: DEFAMATION - finding of qualified privilege - no finding of malice - no error in approach of primary judge.

APPEAL - civil - procedure - significant costs expended for small award of damages not necessarily a basis for leave to appeal - Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 60 considered. Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 60 Defamation Act 2005 (NSW), s 30 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Bruce Haddon (Applicant) The Reverend Dominic Steele (First Respondent) Evan Batten (Second Respondent) Representation: Mr M G McHugh, Ms C Dobraszczyk (Applicant) Mr K P Smark SC, Ms S T Chrysanthou (Respondents) Neville & Hourn Legal Pty Limited (Applicant) HWL Ebsworth Lawyers (Respondents) File Number(s): 2009/297442 Decision under appeal Citation: Haddon v Forsyth [2011] NSWSC 123 Date of Decision: 2011-03-08 00:00:00 Before: Simpson J File Number(s): 2009/297442