Lahoud v Hooper [2015] NSWSC 1026

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Lahoud v Hooper [2015] NSWSC 1026 Hearing dates: 20 July 2015 Decision date: 29 July 2015 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Adamson J Decision: 1. Dismiss the summons.

2. Unless an application is made to my Associate in writing within seven days hereof, order the plaintiff to pay the defendant's costs of the proceedings. Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – preliminary discovery – where seeking to identify potential defendant in proposed defamation claim - whether reasonable inquires made prior to seeking discovery orders – no inquiry made of any of three persons suspected – UCPR 5.2(1)(a) not satisfied – summons dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), Pt 6, Div 1 Defamation Act 2005 (NSW), ss 14, 15 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), ss 94, 96 Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1997 (NSW), s 11 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 5.2 Cases Cited: Blandford v Fox (1944) 45 SR (NSW) 241 H & H Security Pty Ltd v Toliopoulos (NSWSC, 17 May 1995, unreported) Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Liu v The Age Company [2010] NSWSC 1176 Morgan v Odhams Press Ltd [1971] 1 WLR 1239 Nominal Defendant v Meakes [2012] NSWCA 66 Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Australian National Car Parks [2007] NSWCA 114 Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales v Care Park Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 35 Slinn v Nominal Defendant (1964) 112 CLR 334 Steele v Mirror Newspapers [1974] 2 NSWLR 348 Stewart v Miller [1979] 2 NSWLR 128 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Victor Lahoud (Plaintiff) John Hooper (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: J Hmelnitsky SC/MJ Lewis (Plaintiff) MR Elliott (Defendant)