Rickhuss v The Cosmetic Institute Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 1848

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Rickhuss v The Cosmetic Institute Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 1848 Hearing dates: 07 May 2018 Date of orders: 04 December 2018 Decision date: 04 December 2018 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Garling J Decision: (1) Notice of Motion filed by the first to fourth defendants dated 21 March 2018 is dismissed. First to fourth defendants are to pay the plaintiffs' costs of that Motion.

(2) Notice of Motion filed by the fifth defendant dated 21 March 2018 is also dismissed. The fifth defendant is to pay the plaintiffs' costs of that Motion.

(3) Proceedings listed for further directions at 9.30am on 14 December 2018. Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE – representative proceedings –negligence – misleading or deceptive conduct and misrepresentations – where plaintiffs and group members suffered complications after cosmetic surgery – whether discontinuance of representative proceedings should be ordered – Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 166 – interests of justice – whether costs of representative proceedings likely to exceed costs of separate proceedings – whether all relief can be obtained by other means – whether representative proceedings will provide an efficient and effective means of dealing with the claims – premature timing of the Motions before defences filed – significant common questions between the claims – no relevant prejudice to the defendants – applications dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 Civil Liability Act 2003 (Qld) Civil Procedure Act 2005 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Limitation Act 1969 Private Health Facilities Act 2007 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Cases Cited: Belinda Real v The Cosmetic Institute Pty Ltd and Chien Vien Duong (NSW District Court, No. 2017/00343201) Bright v Femcare Ltd [2002] FCAFC 243; (2002) 195 ALR 574 Giles v Commonwealth of Australia [2014] NSWSC 83 GIO of NSW v Green & Lloyd (1965) 114 CLR 437 Hall v Australian Finance Direct Ltd [2005] VSC 306 Halpin & Ors v Lumley General Insurance Ltd [2009] NSWCA 372 Hans Pet Constructions Pty Ltd v Cassar [2009] NSWCA 230 Hughes v Fong [2016] NSWSC 1541 Johnston v Endeavour Energy [2015] NSWSC 1117 McMullin v ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd [1997] FCA 541; (1997) 72 FCR 1 Melbourne City Investments Pty Ltd v Treasury Wine Estates Limited [2017] FCAFC 98; (2017) 252 FCR 1 Michelle Scotford v Dr Sri Darshn and The Cosmetic Institute Pty Limited & 2 Ors (NSW District Court, No. 2018/00034498) P Dawson Nominees Pty Ltd v Brookfield Multiplex Ltd (No 2) [2010] FCA 176 Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Ltd [1981] HCA 45; (1981) 147 CLR 589 Richards v Cornford (No 3) [2010] NSWCA 134 Wardley Australia Ltd v Western Australia [1992] HCA 55; (1992) 175 CLR 514 Wong v Silkfield Pty Ltd [1999] HCA 48; (1999) 199 CLR 255 Texts Cited: Not Applicable Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Amy Rickhuss (P1) Kylie Pollock (P2) Jessica Bruen (P3) Kirsty-Anne Rowlands (P4) Lily Knowland (P5) The Cosmetic Institute Pty Ltd (D1) The Cosmetic Institute Parramatta Pty Ltd (in liq) (D2) TCI Bondi Junction Pty Ltd (D3) TCI Southport Pty Ltd (D4) Dr Eddy Dona (D5) Representation: Counsel: A Cheshire SC / S Maybury (P1-P5) A Flecknoe-Brown (D1-D4) M Windsor SC (D5)