James Phillips v Robab Pty Limited [2014] NSWSC 1520

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: James Phillips v Robab Pty Limited [2014] NSWSC 1520 Hearing dates: 27-28 May 2013, 30-31 May 2013, 14 June 2013, 2 August 2013 Decision date: 04 November 2014 Before: Rothman J Decision: (1)Judgment for the plaintiff; (2)Judgment for the cross-defendant on the cross-claim; (3)The second and fourth defendants shall pay the plaintiff $50,000.00 damages; (4)The parties have liberty to address on interest and costs on a date to be set. Catchwords: DEFAMATION - internet site - damage to reputation - truth not established - insufficient reciprocity of interest to warrant qualified privilege - damages awarded - permanent injunction granted BREACH OF CONFIDENCE - principles discussed - facts not established - inconsistency between equitable damage and account for profit discussed Legislation Cited: Australian Consumer Law 2012 Defamation Act 2005 Cases Cited: Amalgamated Television Services Pty Ltd v Marsden (1998) 43 NSWLR 158 Bashford v Information Australia (Newsletters) Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 5; (2004) 218 CLR 366 Besser v Kermode [2011] NSWCA 174; (2011) 282 ALR 314 Cantwell v Sinclair [2011] NSWSC 1244 Coco v AN Clark (Engineers) Ltd (1968) 1A IPR 587 Commonwealth v John Fairfax & Sons Ltd (1980) 147 CLR 39 Corrs Pavey Whiting & Byrne v Collector of Customs (Vic) (1987) 14 FCR 434 Cush v Dillon; Boland v Dillon [2011] HCA 30; (2011) 243 CLR 298 David v Abdishou [2012] NSWCA 109 Dart Industries Inc v Decor Corp Pty Ltd [1993] HCA 54; (1993) 179 CLR 101 De Vitre v Betts (1873) LR 6 HL 319 Dow Jones & Co Inc v Gutnick [2002] HCA 56; (2002) 210 CLR 575 Edmonds v Donovan [2005] VSCA 36; (2005) 12 VR 513 Faccenda Chicken Ltd v Fowler [1987] Ch 117 Farah Constructions Pty Ltd v Say-Dee Pty Ltd [2007] HCA 22; (2007) 230 CLR 89 Haddon v Forsyth [2011] NSWSC 123 Ilich v R [1987] HCA 1; (1987) 162 CLR 110 Landmark Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd v Kilborn [2006] NSWSC 1108 McMahon v John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd (No 6) [2012] NSWSC 224 Mizikovsky v Queensland Television Ltd [2013] QCA 68 Neilson v Betts (1871) LR 5 HL 1 Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Ltd v Chesterton [2009] HCA 16; (2009) 238 CLR 460 Reader's Digest Services Pty Ltd v Lamb [1982] HCA 4; (1982) 150 CLR 500 Riteway Express Pty Ltd v Clayton (1987) 10 NSWLR 238 Warman International Ltd v Dwyer [1995] HCA 18; (1995) 182 CLR 544 Wright v Gasweld Pty Ltd (1991) 22 NSWLR 317 Category: Principal judgment Parties: James Phillips (Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant) Robab Pty Limited (First Defendant) CC Medical Offices Pty Ltd (Second Defendant/Cross-Claimant) Elizabeth Abbate (Third Defendant) Brad Robinson (Fourth Defendant) Representation: Counsel: R.W Potter (Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant) A.S Dawson/with L.E Brown (First, Second/Cross Claimant, Third and Fourth Defendants) Solicitors: Turner Freeman Lawyers (Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant) Bank Haddock Fiora Lawyers (First, Second/Cross Claimant, Third and Fourth Defendants) File Number(s): 2011/78827 Publication restriction: None