Melham v Katter [2013] NSWDC 203

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Melham v Katter [2013] NSWDC 203 Hearing dates: 27 September 2013 Decision date: 18 October 2013 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Gibson DCJ Decision: (1) The defendants' notice of motion seeking to set aside judgment for $1 million entered on 23 July 2013 is dismissed. (2) The defendants' oral application to amend the notice of motion and, in lieu of order (2), seek a declaration is dismissed. (3) Defendants pay plaintiff's costs. (4) Liberty to apply in relation to costs. (5) Exhibits retained for 28 days. Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - set aside judgment entered following settlement on the first day of the hearing - application to set aside based on asserted non-compliance by plaintiff with provisions in the Terms of Settlement - construction of the provisions in the Terms of Settlement - whether entry of judgment against good faith (UCPR Pt 36 r 36.15) - application dismissed Legislation Cited: District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 134(1)(b) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 36.15 and 36.16 Cases Cited: AT v Commissioner of Police (No 2) [2010] NSWCA 337 Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410 Cash v Wells (1830) 109 ER 826 DJL v Central Authority (2000) 201 CLR 226 Franklins Pty Ltd v Metcash Trading Ltd [2009] NSWCA 40 Fulham Partners LLC v National Australian Bank [2013] NSWCA 296 GR Securities v Baulkham Hills Private Hospital (1986) 40 NSWLR 631 Hall v Busst (1960) 104 CLR 206 Harvey v Phillips (1956) 95 CLR 235 Kendell v Carnegie [2006] NSWCA 302 Mackay v Dick (1881) 6 AC 251 Meehan v Jones (1982) 149 CLR 571 Roach v B & W Steel Pty Ltd (1991) 23 NSWLR 110 Suttor v Gundowda Pty Ltd (1950) 81 CLR 413 Tonitto v Bassal (1992) 28 NSWLR 564 University of Western Australia v Gray (2009) FCR 346 Yorkshire Water Services Ltd v Sun Alliance & London Insurance PLC [1997] 2 Lloyd's Rep 21 Texts Cited: Ritchie Uniform Civil Procedure Rules (LexisNexis) Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Plaintiff/Respondent: Robert George Melhem Defendants/Applicants: Joseph Katter and Susan Vera Katter Representation: Plaintiff/Respondent: Mr J A Hogan-Doran / Ms T Phillips Defendants/Applicants: Ms V Culkoff Plaintiff/Respondent: Consolidated Lawyers Defendants/Applicants: Comino Prassas Solicitors File Number(s): 2011/144484 Publication restriction: None