Gordana Smith & Anor v Colin Steingold [2018] NSWSC 1390

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Gordana Smith & Anor v Colin Steingold [2018] NSWSC 1390 Hearing dates: 4 July 2018 Date of orders: 23 August 2018 Decision date: 23 August 2018 Jurisdiction: Equity - Commercial List Before: Rein J Decision: See [21]-[23] Catchwords: EQUITY – Whether solicitor on record should be restrained from acting for the First and Second Defendants in proceedings alleging undue influence and oppressive conduct on the part of the First Defendant – Whether solicitor in possession of confidential information of the Plaintiffs – Whether solicitor possessed knowledge of Plaintiffs' character and tendencies – Whether a fair-minded reasonably informed member of the public would regard proper administration of justice as requiring the solicitor to be restrained from acting; HELD: Solicitor restrained from continuing to act for the First and Second Defendants. Cases Cited: Black v Taylor [1993] 3 NZLR 403 Byrne v Production Magic Pty Ltd [2012] ACTSC 6 Cleveland Investments Global Ltd v Evans [2010] NSWSC 567 D & J Constructions Pty Ltd v Head and Ors trading as Clayton Utz (1987) 9 NSWLR 118 Earl Cholmondeley v Lord Clinton (1815) 19 Ves. Jr. 261; (1815) 34 E.R. 515 Geelong School Supplies Pty Ltd v Dean (2006) 237 ALR 612; [2006] FCA 1404 In the matter of Edgecliff Car Rentals Pty Ltd (deregistered) [2017] NSWSC 244 In the matter of IPM Group Pty Ltd [2015] NSWSC 240 Jing Li v Jin Lian Group Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 479 Kallinicos v Hunt (2005) 64 NSWLR 561; [2005] NSWSC 1181 Sent v John Fairfax Publication Pty Ltd [2002] VSC 429 Spincode Pty Ltd v Look Software Pty Ltd (2001) 4 VR 501; [2001] VSCA 248 Yunghanns v Elfic Ltd (formerly known as Elders Finance & Investment Co Ltd) (Supreme Court of Victoria, Gillard J, 3 July 1998, Butterworth Cases 9803031) Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Gordana Smith (First Plaintiff/ Applicant on the Motion) Paul Smith (Second Plaintiff/ Applicant on the Motion) Colin Steingold (First Defendant/ Respondent on the Motion) Shadeen Pty Limited (Second Defendant/ Respondent on the Motion) CG Partnership Pty Limited (Third Defendant) Citrus Group Pty Limited (Fourth Defendant) Thomas Russell (Respondent on the Motion) Representation: Counsel: Mr N. Kirby (Plaintiffs) Mr R. Glasson (First and Second Defendants) Mr E. Yamine, solicitor (Third and Fourth Defendants)