Wilson v Addu Investments Private Ltd; Lee v Addu Investments Private Ltd [2014] NSWSC 381

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Wilson v Addu Investments Private Ltd; Lee v Addu Investments Private Ltd [2014] NSWSC 381 Hearing dates: 21/03/2014 Decision date: 09 April 2014 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Garling J Decision: (1) The Amended Notices of Motion filed 21 March 2014 be dismissed. (2) Defendants to pay the plaintiffs' costs. Catchwords: PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW - stay of proceedings; application for - forum non conveniens - whether New South Wales is a clearly inappropriate forum for determination of substantive proceedings - whether continuation of proceedings oppressive or vexatious - connecting factors - proper law of tort and contract - evidence of foreign law - availability of relevant witnesses - cost and inconvenience - availability of insurance indemnity - access to justice - impact of adverse psychological effects on plaintiffs if matter litigated in alternative forum - international nature of business offered by defendants - case management considerations. Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 Evidence (Audio and Audio-Visual Links) Act 1988 Supreme Court Rules 1970 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Cases Cited: Henry v Henry [1996] HCA 51; (1996) 185 CLR 571 Murakami v Wiryadi [2010] NSWCA 7 Oceanic Sun Line Special Shipping Co Inc v Fay [1988] HCA 32; (1988) 165 CLR 197 Puttick v Tenon Ltd [2008] HCA 54; (2008) 238 CLR 265 Regie Nationale des Usines Renault SA v Zhang [2002] HCA 10; (2002) 210 CLR 491 Spiliada Maritime Corp v Cansulex Ltd [1987] AC 460 Voth v Manildra Flour Mills Pty Ltd [1990] HCA 55; (1990) 171 CLR 538 Texts Cited: Encyclopaedia Britannica Online Edition, updated 14 January 2014 Black & Sadiq, "Good and Bad Sharia: Australia's Mixed Response to Islamic Law" (2011) 34(1) UNSW Law Journal 82 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Ben Wilson (P) (2013/83751) Ruby Lee (P) (2013/83743) Addu Investments Private Ltd (D1) (both matters) Silver Sands Private Ltd (D2) (both matters) Representation: Counsel: Dr A Bell SC / S Maybury (P) P Morris SC (D1) D F Villa (D2) Solicitors: Edwards Michael (Plaintiffs) File Number(s): 2013/83751, 2013/83743