Johnston v Endeavour Energy [2016] NSWSC 1132

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Johnston v Endeavour Energy [2016] NSWSC 1132 Hearing dates: 15 July 2016 Date of orders: 15 July 2016 Decision date: 18 August 2016 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Hoeben CJ at CL Decision: Provisional approval given to proposed settlement. Catchwords: CLASS ACTION – fire at Springwood – tree fell on live conductors – proceedings brought against power company – in principle settlement arrived at after five week trial – consideration of proposed settlement distribution scheme – whether fair and reasonable in interests of class members – motions brought by insurance intervenors for payment from settlement – reasons for provisional approval of settlement – prospects of success of claim an important factor – date fixed for objections to be made – proposed settlement fair and reasonable – provisional approval given. Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) – s 43A Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) – Pt 10 Legal Profession Act 2004 (Vic) Legal Professional Uniform Law Application Act 2014 (Vic) Cases Cited: ACCC v Chats House Investments Pty Ltd & Ors [1996] 71 FCR 250; FCA 1119 Courtney v Medtel Pty Limited (No 5) [2004] FCA 1406; 212 ALR 311 Darwalla Milling Co Pty Ltd v F Hoffman-La Roche & Ors Ltd (No 2) [2006] FCA 1388; 236 ALR 322 Dorajay Pty Ltd v Aristocrat Leisure Ltd [2009] FCA 19 Lopez v Star World Enterprises Pty [1999] ATPR 41 – 678 at 42 – 670; [1999] FCA 104 Matthews v SPI Electricity and SPI Electricity Pty Ltd v Utility Services Corporation Ltd (Ruling No 16) [2013] VSC 74 Modtech Engineering Pty Ltd v GPT Management Holdings Ltd [2013] FCA 626 Pharm-a-Care Laboratories Pty Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia (No 6) [2011] FCA 277 Rod Investments (Vic) Pty Ltd v Abeyratne & Ors [2010] VSC 457 Rowe v AusNet Electricity Services Pty Ltd and Ors [2015] VSC 232 Thomas v Powercor Australia Limited [2011] VSC 614 Wheelahan & Anor v City of Casey & Ors [2011] VSC 215 Williams v FAI Home Security Pty Ltd (No 4) [2000] 180 ALR 459; [2000] FCA 1925 Wong v Silkfield [2000] FCA 1421 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Sean Johnston – Plaintiff Endeavour Energy – 1st Defendant Insurance Australia Group (IAG); Allianz; AAI Limited; CommInsure – Insurance Intervenors Representation: Counsel: Mr G Dalton QC/Mr A Fraatz – Plaintiff Mr JJ Hutton – First Defendant Mr AP Coleman SC/Mr RM Foreman – IAG Mr DS Weinberger - Allianz