Chaina v Presbyterian Church (NSW) Property Trust (No. 9) [2013] NSWSC 212

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Chaina v Presbyterian Church (NSW) Property Trust (No. 9) [2013] NSWSC 212 Hearing dates: 19 March 2013 Decision date: 21 March 2013 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Davies J Decision: Privilege has been waived in respect of MFI 28 and 29. The tender of MFI 27 is rejected. Catchwords: PROFESSIONS AND TRADES - lawyers - client legal privilege - waiver of - inconsistency between claims made and maintenance of the privilege - claim for mental harm - incapacity to conduct business or litigation alleged - documents seeking and providing instructions to solicitors in other litigation - privilege waived Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) Cases Cited: Baker v Campbell [1983] HCA 39; (1983) 153 CLR 52 Chen & Ors v City Convenience Leasing Pty Ltd & Anor [2005] NSWCA 297 Commonwealth of Australia v Temwood Holdings Pty Ltd [2002] WASC 107 DSE (Holdings) Pty Ltd v Intertan Inc [2003] FCA 384; (2003) 127 FCR 499 Mann v Carnell [1999] HCA 66; (1999) 201 CLR 1 Secretary, Departments of Justice v Osland [2007] VSCA 96 Stamp v Stamp [2007] FamCA 420 State of Western Australia v Southern Equities Corporation Ltd (1996) 69 FCR 245 Telstra Corporation Ltd v BT Australasia Pty Ltd (1998) 85 FCR 152 Wayne Lawrence Pty Ltd v Hunt [1999] NSWSC 1044 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Mathew Chaina (First Plaintiff) and ors Presbyterian Church (NSW) Property Trust (First Defendant) and ors Representation: Counsel: J Maconachie QC & J Sharpe (Plaintiffs) R Stitt QC, G L Turner & H Stitt (Defendants) Solicitors: Berrigan Doube Lawyers (Plaintiffs) Curwoods Lawyers (Defendants) File Number(s): 2002/69354