Newton v Ellis [2012] NSWCA 106

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Newton v Ellis [2012] NSWCA 106 Hearing dates: 21 March 2012 Decision date: 27 April 2012 Before: Beazley JA at [1] Macfarlan JA at [2] Whealy JA at [36] Decision: The appeal is 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: PROCEDURE - refusal of adjournment applications - no adequate explanation for late applications to vacate hearing dates - whether necessary in such circumstances to consider likelihood of prejudice to applicant or precise impact on the Court's efficient operation - appellate reluctance to interfere with judicial discretion in matters of practice and procedure Cases Cited: Adam P Brown Male Fashions Pty Ltd v Philip Morris Inc [1981] HCA 39; 148 CLR 170 Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27; 239 CLR 175 Cellulose Products Pty Ltd v Truda (1970) 92 WN (NSW) 561 Langford Concrete Pty Ltd v Finlay [1978] 1 NSWLR 14 Commonwealth Development Bank of Australia Ltd v Windermere Pastoral Co Pty Ltd [1999] NSWSC 518 Covino v Bandag Manufacturing Pty Ltd [1983] 1 NSWLR 237 Hamod v State of New South Wales [2011] NSWCA 375 House v The King [1936] HCA 40; 55 CLR 499 In re the Will of F B Gilbert (dec) (1946) 46 SR (NSW) 318 State of Queensland v JL Holdings Pty Ltd [1997] HCA 1; 189 CLR 146 Sali v SPC Ltd [1993] HCA 47; 67 ALJR 841 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Richard Newton (First Appellant) Robyn Newton (Second Appellant) Daniel Ellis (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J Raine (First Appellant) B Levet (Second Appellant) A Stafford (Respondent) Solicitors: Kinghan & Associates (First Appellant) Ronayne Lawyers (Second Appellant) Constantine G Pavlis & Co (Respondent) File Number(s): CA 2008/279436 Decision under appeal Jurisdiction: 9111 Citation: Ellis v Newton [2011] NSWSC 117 Date of Decision: 2011-02-25 00:00:00 Before: Rein J File Number(s): SC 2008/279436; 2009/288200