Fischer v Howe [2013] NSWSC 462

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Fischer v Howe [2013] NSWSC 462 Hearing dates: 23 - 24 April 2013 Decision date: 02 May 2013 Before: Adamson J Decision: (1) Judgment for the first plaintiff. (2) Direct the parties to calculate the quantum of damages having regard to these reasons. (3) Costs reserved. Catchwords: TORTS-negligence-solicitors- whether duty to procure informal will before execution of formal will TORTS-negligence-defences- s 5O Civil Liability Act 2002 EVIDENCE-exceptions to hearsay-s 64(2) Evidence Act 1995-calling maker of statement not reasonably practicable when afflicted by age and infirmity Legislation Cited: - Civil Liability Act 2002, s5B, s 5B(1)(a), s 5B(1)(b), s 5B(1)(c), s 5O - Evidence Act 1995, s 64(2) - Succession Act 2006, s 8, s 8(2)(a), s 57 - Wills and Probate Administration Act 1898, s 7 Cases Cited: - Astley v Austrust [1999] HCA 6; 197 CLR 1 - Dobler v Halverson [2007] NSWCA 335; 70 NSWLR 151 - Hawkins v Clayton [1988] HCA 15; 164 CLR 539 - Heydon v NRMA [2000] NSWCA 374; 51 NSWLR 1 - Hill v Van Erp [1997] HCA 9; 188 CLR 159 - Maestrale v Aspite [2012] NSWSC 1420 - Mitchell Morgan Nominees Pty Limited v Vella [2011] NSWCA 390 - Rogers v Whitaker [1992] HCA 58; 175 CLR 479 - Smith, Estate of ANH- Application of P. A. Smith [2009] NSWSC 907 - Summerville v Walsh [1998] NSWCA 222 - Vagg v McPhee [2013] NSWCA 29 - Vella v Permanent Mortgages Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 505 - Waimond Pty Ltd v Byrne (1989) 18 NSWLR 642 - White v Jones [1995] 2 AC 207 - Yazbek v Yazbek & Anor (No. 2) [2012] NSWSC 783 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Henry Jean Louis Fischer (1st Plaintiff) Lilly Fischer (2nd Plaintiff) Graham W Howe (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: C J Birch SC (1st Plaintiff) J C Kelly SC (Defendant) Solicitors: Craddock Murray Neumann (Plaintiffs) Colin Biggers & Paisley (Defendants) File Number(s): 2011/306108 Publication restriction: Nil