Rouvinetis v Knoll [2013] NSWCA 24

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Rouvinetis v Knoll [2013] NSWCA 24 Hearing dates: 29 January 2013 Decision date: 19 February 2013 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Barrett JA at [63]; Ward JA at [64] Decision: (1) Without resolving the objection to competency, dismiss the appeal. (2) Order the appellant to pay the respondent's costs in this Court, including, in the case of the Board, those relating to the objection to competency. [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: APPEAL - civil - objection to competency - requirement to obtain leave if compensation in issue less than $100,000 - compensation not assessed in court below - failure by appellant to file an affidavit in accordance with Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) - consequence of failure - procedure for determining competency

BIAS - apprehension of bias - assertion that the trial judge was Jewish and a Zionist - a defendant in proceedings a judge of the same Division of the Court as the trial judge - no application for the trial judge to disqualify herself - unrepresented litigant aware of the source of possible apprehension of bias - waiver of right to object

TORTS - negligence - assault - battery - wrongful imprisonment - appellant detained by security guards - whether only reasonable force used Legislation Cited: Law Enforcement (Power and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW), s 100 Security Industry Act 1997 (NSW), ss 7, 23A, 36, Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), ss 85, 101 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 51.22 Cases Cited: Concrete Pty Ltd v Parramatta Design & Developments Pty Ltd [2006] HCA 55; 229 CLR 577 CUR 24 v Director of Public Prosecutions [2012] NSWCA 65 Gillard v Hunter Wire Products Pty Ltd t/as Hunter Screen Products (No 2) [2001] NSWCA 450 Goodwin v Commissioner of Police [2012] NSWCA 379 Maynes v Casey [2011] NSWCA 156 Makucha v Sydney Water Corporation [2011] NSWCA 234 Maroubra Rugby League Football Club v Malo [2007] NSWCA 39; 69 NSWLR 496 Michael Wilson & Partners Ltd v Nicholls [2011] HCA 48; 244 CLR 427 Rouvinetis v Knoll [2009] NSWSC 1212 Smits v Roach [2006] HCA 36; 227 CLR 423 Vakauta v Kelly [1989] HCA 44; 167 CLR 568 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Evangelos Rouvinetis (Appellant) David Knoll (First Respondent) Paliguard Pty Ltd (Second Respondent) Stephen Rothman (Third Respondent) Yair Miller (Fourth Respondent) Robin Margo (Fifth Respondent) Sam Zweie (Sixth Respondent) Uri Windt (Seventh Respondent) Graham de Vahl Davis (Eighth Respondent) Robert Goot (Ninth Respondent) Gerry Levy (Tenth Respondent) Michael Marx (Eleventh Respondent) Peter Wertheim (Twelfth Respondent) George Foster (Thirteenth Respondent) Alan Gold (Fourteenth Respondent) Jeremy Jones (Fifteenth Respondent) Roma Sheil (Sixteenth Respondent) Irving Wallach (Seventeenth Respondent) Susi Brieger (Eighteenth Respondent) Josie Lacey (Nineteenth Respondent) Llona Lee (Twentieth Respondent) Ian Lacey (Twenty-first Respondent) Robin Schuck (Twenty-second Respondent) Jillian Segal (Twenty-third Respondent) Representation: Counsel: