eInduct Systems Pty Ltd v 3D Safety Services Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 284

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: eInduct Systems Pty Ltd v 3D Safety Services Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 284 Hearing dates: 19 August 2015 Decision date: 18 September 2015 Before: Beazley P at [1]; Basten JA at [11]; Simpson JA at [66] Decision: Application dismissed with costs. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW – application to quash decision of District Court – appeal to District Court from determination of costs review panel – Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 69

JUDICIAL REVIEW – whether primary judge erred in declining to permit appellant to amend Notice of Appeal – where solicitors' invoice named only one of five defendants – whether costs review panel erred in awarding costs to unnamed defendants – all defendants jointly and severally liable for costs – legal liability not founded by invoice – no reviewable error of law demonstrated

JUDICIAL REVIEW – whether costs assessor and costs review panel erred in issuing single Certificate of Determination of Costs for two separate costs orders – Wende v Horwath (NSW) Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 170 – no reviewable error of law demonstrated

COSTS – whether s 60 of Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) and s 364 of Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW) required assessment of proportionality of costs – s 60 of Civil Procedure Act directed to courts – costs assessors not part of a "court" – s 364 of Legal Profession Act not expressed in terms of proportionality – "outcome" of matter not a mandatory consideration in costs assessment – Legal Profession Act s 364(2) Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 56, 60 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 17, 190 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 5, 8 Legal Profession Act 1987 (NSW), ss 208F, 208G Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW), ss 353, 359, 364, 365, 367, 367A, 368, 373, 374, 378, 384, 390 Legal Profession Regulation 2005 (NSW), cl 134 Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW), s 172 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 69 Cases Cited: April Fine Paper Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd v Moore Business Systems Australia Ltd [2009] NSWSC 867; 75 NSWLR 619 Brook v Reed (trustee in bankruptcy of Estate of Brook) [2011] EWCA Civ 331; [2011] 3 All ER 743 Cachia v Hanes [1994] HCA 14; 179 CLR 403 eInduct Systems Pty Ltd v 3D Safety Services Pty Ltd (NSWDC, 31 March 2015, unreported) eInduct Systems Pty Ltd v 3D Safety Services Pty Ltd (NSWSC, 6 May 2013, unreported) eInduct Systems Pty Ltd v 3D Safety Services Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 410 House v The King [1936] HCA 40; 55 CLR 499 Kirk v Industrial Court of New South Wales (2010) 239 CLR 531; [2010] HCA 1 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355; [1998] HCA 28 Skalkos v T & S Recoveries Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 281; 65 NSWLR 151 Wende v Horwath (NSW) Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 170; 86 NSWLR 674 Wentworth v Rogers (2006) 66 NSWLR 474; [2006] NSWCA 145 Category: Principal judgment Parties: eInduct Systems Pty Ltd (Applicant) 3D Safety Services Pty Ltd (First Defendant) Anthony Ian Conacher (Second Defendant) Simon Paul Morrow (Third Defendant) 3D Safety Systems Pty Ltd (Fourth Defendant) Wishbone Consulting Pty Ltd (Fifth Defendant) District Court of NSW (Sixth Defendant) Representation: Counsel: J T Johnson (Applicant) M Castle/A Bailey (First to Fifth Defendants) Submitting appearance (Sixth Defendant)