McGrath v Mestousis [2017] NSWSC 995

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: McGrath v Mestousis [2017] NSWSC 995 Hearing dates: 19 – 20 June 2017 Date of orders: 27 July 2017 Decision date: 27 July 2017 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Darke J Decision: Easement imposed pursuant to s 88K of the Conveyancing Act for drainage of water. Catchwords: LAND LAW – easements – imposition of easements by Court – stormwater drainage easement associated with development of residential land – whether easement reasonably necessary for effective use or development of the land – effect of easement upon servient tenement – risk of damage caused by easement works – difficulty in carrying out easement works in compliance with conditions of consent – easement imposed Legislation Cited: Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), s 88K Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), ss 80(3), 95(6) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 20.14, 31.46 Cases Cited: Govindan-Lee v Sawkins (2016) 18 BPR 35,883; [2016] NSWSC 328 Khattar v Wiese (2005) 12 BPR 23,235; [2005] NSWSC 1014 Moorebank Recyclers Pty Ltd v Tanlane Pty Ltd (2012) 16 BPR 31,257; [2012] NSWCA 445 Shi v ABI-K Pty Ltd (2014) 87 NSWLR 568; [2014] NSWCA 293 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Patrick Raymond McGrath (First Plaintiff) Sally Jane McGrath (Second Plaintiff) Kristo Mestousis (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr P G Bolster (Plaintiffs) Mr A M Gruzman (Defendant)