In the matter of Norwest Group Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1398

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: In the matter of Norwest Group Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1398 Hearing dates: 3 October 2017 Decision date: 13 October 2017 Jurisdiction: Equity - Corporations List Before: Black J Decision: The Court orders that there be no order for costs in respect of the Defendants' Interlocutory Process seeking security for costs filed on 1 August 2017 or of or incidental to the hearing as to costs on 3 September 2017. Catchwords: COSTS — Party/Party — Costs orders in interlocutory proceedings — where parties compromised security for costs application and no hearing on merits conducted – proper order as to costs of application

COSTS — Party/Party — Exceptions to general rule that costs follow the event — Offers of compromise/Calderbank offers – where Calderbank offer as to interlocutory application not accepted – where application settled before hearing on terms no more favourable to offeree – whether reasonable for offeree not to accept Legislation Cited: - Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 136 Cases Cited: - Bamburgh Holdings Pty Ltd v Kennedy [2011] NSWSC 792 - Calderbank v Calderbank [1975] 3 All ER 333 - Commonwealth of Australia v Gretton [2008] NSWCA 117 - Epping Plaza Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Pty Ltd v Bevendale Pty Ltd [1999] VSCA 43; (1999) 2 VR 191 - Gentry Bros Pty Ltd v Wilson Brown & Associates Pty Ltd (1992) 8 ACSR 405 - Ingot Capital Investments Pty Ltd v Macquarie Equity Capital Markets Ltd [2002] NSWSC 609 - Jazabas Pty Ltd v Haddad [2007] NSWCA 291; (2007) 65 ACSR 276 - Lincoln v Pendonna Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 1138 - MGICA (1992) Pty Ltd v Kenny & Good Pty Ltd (1996) 70 FCR 236 - Nu Line Construction Group Pty Ltd v Fowler (aka Grippaudo) [2012] NSWSC 816 - One.Tel Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2000] FCA 270; (2000) 101 FCR 548 - Re MF Global Australia Ltd (in liq); Hopper v Campbell in his capacity as liquidator of MF Global Australia Ltd (in liq) [2015] NSWSC 1583 - Re the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia; Ex parte Lai Qin [1997] HCA 6; (1997) 186 CLR 622 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Erectus Pty Ltd (First Plaintiff/Respondent) Botao Hong (Second Plaintiff/Respondent) Norwest Group Pty Ltd (First Defendant/Applicant) L.I. Pty Ltd (Second Defendant/Applicant) J-Herald Pty Ltd (Third Defendant/Applicant) Representation: Counsel: E L Beechey (Plaintiffs/Respondents) M Castle (Defendants/Applicants)