Freelancer International Pty Ltd v Matthew O’Kane [2019] NSWSC 159

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Freelancer International Pty Ltd v Matthew O'Kane [2019] NSWSC 159 Hearing dates: 20 February 2019 Decision date: 27 February 2019 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Ward CJ in Eq Decision: 1. The proceedings be dismissed on the application of the plaintiff under r 29.8 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW). 2. The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings, including the costs of and in relation to the notice of motion filed 29 November 2018 and the hearing on 20 February 2019. Catchwords: COSTS — application by plaintiff for dismissal or discontinuance of proceedings –– preliminary discovery application –– where matter has not been heard on the merits –– whether defendant's conduct warrants a costs order against defendant –– defendant's deliberate deletion of documents –– costs awarded against the defendant Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 56-59, 98 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 5.3, 12.3, 29.8. 42.19, 42.20, 42.40, Part 5 Cases Cited: Australiawide Airlines Ltd v Aspirion Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 365 Edwards v Adam [2016] NSWSC 1534 El-Saeidy v NSW Land and Housing Corporation [2011] NSWSC 447 Fordyce v Fordham & Anor [2006] NSWCA 274; (2006) 67 NSWLR 497 Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Pty Ltd v Hodder Rook & Associates Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 640 King v Flowers [2014] NSWSC 1266 Liu v The Age Company Ltd (2016) 92 NSWLR 679, [2016] NSWCA 115 Mirus Australia Pty Ltd v Gage [2017] NSWSC 1046 Nichols v NFS Agribusiness Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 84 Re Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (Cth); Ex Parte Lai Qin (1997) 186 CLR 622; [1997] HCA 6 Renton v Kelly [2018] NSWSC 1377 Category: Costs Parties: Freelancer International Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Matthew O'Kane (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Williams (Solicitor) (Plaintiff) B Miles (Defendant)