TPFL Limited (in liq) v SB Group Property Valuers and Consultants Pty Ltd (in liq) and ACE Insurance Limited [2012] NSWSC 853

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: TPFL Limited (in liq) v SB Group Property Valuers and Consultants Pty Ltd (in liq) and ACE Insurance Limited [2012] NSWSC 853 Hearing dates: 3 May 2012; 28 May 2012 Decision date: 02 August 2012 Before: Bellew J Decision: 1. The statement of claim is dismissed. 2. The plaintiff is to pay the second defendant's costs. Catchwords: INSURANCE - statutory charge on monies payable by insurer - event completing the cause of action against the insured

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - requirement for leave to commence proceedings to enforce statutory charge - proceedings commenced without obtaining leave - whether power to grant leave to operate nunc pro tunc - criteria for the grant of leave - whether there is an arguable case against the insured

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application for joinder of insurer pursuant to r 6.19 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules to allow plaintiff to proceed pursuant to s. 562 of the Corporations Act - exercise of discretion to grant leave - relevant considerations - whether it would be futile to grant leave Legislation Cited: Defamation Act 1974 Felons (Civil Proceedings) Act 1981 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW) Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1956 (NT) Limitation Act 1969 Trade Practices Act 1974 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Cases Cited: Bede Polding College v Limit (No 3) Limited [2008] NSWSC 887 Bourke v LFOT (2002) 209 CLR 282 CGU Insurance Limited v Bazem Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 81 Ceric v CE Heath Underwriting and Insurance (Australia) Pty Limited (1994) 99 NTR 1 Emanuele v Australian Securities Commission (1997) 188 CLR 114 Energize Fitness Pty Limited v Vero Insurance Ltd [2012] NSWCA 213 GIO General Limited v Malathounis [1997] NSWCA 124 Interchase Corporation Ltd (in liq) v FAA Insurance Co Ltd [2000] 2 Qd R 301 Jol v State of New South Wales (1998) 45 NSWLR 283 Kestrel Holdings Pty Limited & Anor v APF Properties Pty Limited & Anor (2009) 260 ALR 418 Kinzett v McCourt (1999) 46 NSWLR 32 Mealing v P Chand t/as Fastfix (2003) 57 NSWLR 306 National Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited v Commonwealth of Australia [1981] 1 NSWLR 400 Owners-Strata Plan Number 50530 v Walter Construction Group Limited (in liq) [2007] NSWCA 124 Proctor v Jetway Aviation Pty Limited [1984] 1 NSWLR 166 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Re Testro Brothers Consolidated Limited [1965] VR 18 Ross v Cook [2009] NSWSC 671 Spautz v Kirby (1988) 21 NSWLR 27 Ta Ho Ma Pty Limited v Allen (1999) 47 NSWLR 1 Wardley Australia Limited v State of Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: TPFL Limited (in liq) - Plaintiff SB Group Property Valuers and Consultants Pty Ltd (in liq) - First Defendant ACE Insurance Limited -Second Defendant Representation: A Cheshire - Plaintiff D Lloyd - Second Defendant HWL Ebsworth - Plaintiff Kennedys - Second Defendant File Number(s): 2012/64388