Darrin Michael Gillies v William Brewer [2014] NSWSC 1198

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Darrin Michael Gillies v William Brewer [2014] NSWSC 1198 Hearing dates: 15 August 2014 Decision date: 15 August 2014 Before: Rothman J Decision: (1) Pursuant to r 13.4 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, the proceedings be dismissed against the first and second defendants on the basis that: (a) No reasonable cause of action is disclosed; (b) By virtue of the operation of s 14 of the Limitation Act 1969, the proceeding is not maintainable; and (c) To the extent not otherwise covered by 1(a) above, the first and second defendants are immune from suit. (2) The plaintiff shall pay the first and second defendants costs of and incidental to the motion and the proceedings. Catchwords: ADVOCATES' IMMUNITY - barrister and solicitor sued for work done in court or closely connected therewith - unclear whether contract or tort - work done on criminal proceedings - plaintiff convicted - conviction upheld on appeal and grounds related to impugned conduct were dismissed - no possible damage - immunity applies - abuse of process - proceedings summarily dismissed Legislation Cited: Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Cases Cited: Adams by her friend O'Grady v State of New South Wales [2008] NSWSC 1257 Agar v Hyde [2000] HCA 41; (2000) 201 CLR 552 Attorney-General (NSW) v Spautz [2001] NSWSC 66 Argyropoulos v Layton [2002] NSWCA 183 Bird v Ford [2013] NSWSC 264 Blair v Curran [1939] HCA 23; (1939) 62 CLR 464 Brewer v Brewer [1953] ALR 441; (1953) 88 CLR 1 Clavel v Savage [2013] NSWSC 775 D'Orta-Ekenaike v Victoria Legal Aid [2005] HCA 12; (2005) 223 CLR 1Donnellan v Woodland [2012] NSWCA 433General Steel Industries v Commissioner for Railways [1964] HCA 69; (1964) 112 CLR 125 Giannarelli v Wraith [1988] HCA 52; (1988) 165 CLR 543 Gillies v DPP (NSW) [2008] NSWCCA 339 Haines v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1995] NSWSC 136; (1995) 43 NSWLR 404 Hawkins v Clayton [1988] HCA 15; (1988) 164 CLR 539 Hunter Area Health Service v Presland [2005] NSWCA 33; (2005) 63 NSWLR 22 Kelly v Jowett [2009] NSWCA 278 Lanphier v Phipos (1838) 8 Car. & P. 475 MacRae v Stevens [1997] ANZ ConvR 129 O'Shane v Harbour Radio Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 315 Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Ltd [1981] HCA 45; (1981) 147 CLR 589 Sea Culture International v Scoles [1991] FCA 523; (1991) 32 FCR 275 State Bank of New South Wales Ltd v Stenhouse Ltd (1997) Aust Tort Reports 81-23 Reichel v Magrath (1889) 14 App Cas 665 Rippon v Chilcotin [2001] NSWCA 142 Voli v Inglewood Shire Council [1963] HCA 15; 110 CLR 74 Walton v Gardiner [1993] HCA 77; (1993) 177 CLR 378 Ward v Lewis (1896) 22 VLR 410 Wilson v Rigg [2002] NSWCA 246 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Darrin Michael Gillies (Plaintiff) William Brewer (First Defendant) Lesly Randle (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: P A Horvath (First Defendant) D Priestley (Second Defendant) Solicitors: No appearance (Plaintiff) Moray & Agnew (First Defendant) HWL Ebsworth Lawyers (Second Defendant) File Number(s): 2013/370088 Publication restriction: None