Hunter v Hanson [2014] NSWCA 263

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Hunter v Hanson [2014] NSWCA 263 Hearing dates: 10 March 2014 Decision date: 13 August 2014 Before: McColl JA (at [1]), Macfarlan JA (at [79]), Emmett JA (at [82] Decision: Application for leave to appeal dismissed with costs [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: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - extension of time for service - respondent filed statement of claim pleading causes of action in defamation and others shortly before limitation period for defamation causes of action expired - statement of claim not served on applicant within time limited by UCPR 6.2(4)(b)(ii) - respondent decided not to serve statement of claim until judgment in an appeal from a decision which if correct afforded a defence of absolute privilege to his defamation causes of action was delivered and also to avoid aggravating situation with applicant in respect of whose conduct he had sought an APVO - after APVO order granted and appeal judgment delivered respondent obtained leave to serve statement of claim out of time - exercise of judicial discretion to extend time - whether "good reasons" for delay in service - whether knowledge of sufficient facts to plead statement of claim determinative against extension of time - effect of expiration of limitation period on extension of time for service application Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) District Court Act 1973 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Medical Practice Act 1992 (NSW) High Court Rules 1952 (Cth) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Agricultural & Rural Finance Pty Limited v Kirk [2011] NSWCA 67; (2011) 82 ACSR 390 Battersby v Anglo-American Oil Co Limited [1945] KB 23 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor [1996] HCA 25; (1996) 186 CLR 541 Brown v Coccaro (1993) 10 WAR 391 Carey v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2012] NSWCA 176; (2012) 84 NSWLR 90 Cornelius v Global Medical Solutions Australia Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 65; (2014) 98 ACSR 301 FAI Insurances Ltd (in liq) v Mainprize [2006] NSWSC 554 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; (2003) 214 CLR 118 Foxe v Brown [1984] HCA 69; (1984) 59 ALJR 186 Hanson and Others v Hunter and Another (Local Court (NSW), Pinch LCM, 16 February 2012, unrep) House v The King [1936] HCA 40; (1936) 55 CLR 499 IMB Group Pty Ltd (in liq) v ACCC [2006] QCA 407; [2007] 1 Qd R 148 Kleinwort Benson Ltd v Barbrak Ltd [1987] AC 597 La Macchia v Minister for Primary Industries & Energy (1992) 110 ALR 201 Lucire v Parmegiani [2012] NSWCA 86 Lucire v Parmegiani [2010] NSWDC 115 Micallef v ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 274 Muirhead v Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Q) [1999] QCA 513 Noonan v MacLennan [2010] QCA 150; [2010] 2 Qd R 537 Re Brashs Pty Ltd (1994) 15 ACSR 477 Rich v Long [2008] NSWSC 487 Rich v Packer [2007] NSWSC 1290 Simpson v Saskatchewan Government Insurance Office (1967) 65 DLR (2d) 324 Soper v Matsukawa [1982] VR 948 Tolcher v Gordon [2005] NSWCA 153 Van Leer Australia Pty Ltd v Palace Shipping KK [1981] HCA 11; (1981) 180 CLR 337 Victa Ltd v Johnson (1975) 10 SASR 496 Weston in Capacity as Special Purpose Liquidator of One.Tel Ltd (in liquidation) v Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd [2012] NSWCA 79; (2012) 88 ACSR 80 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Scott Hunter - Applicant Benjamin Alan Hanson - Respondent Representation: Counsel: K Smark SC with S Chrysanthou - Applicant R Lancaster SC with K Traill - Respondent Solicitors: Kalantiz Lawyers - Applicant Banki Haddock Fiora - Respondent File Number(s): Publication restriction: No Decision under appeal Date of Decision: 2013-05-10 00:00:00 Before: Bozic DCJ