Idoport Pty Limited and Anor v National Australia Bank Limited and 8 Ors.; Idoport Pty Limited and Market Holdings Pty Limited v Donald Robert Argus; Idoport "JMG" v National Australia Bank Limited and Ors. [44]

Case

[2001] NSWSC 960

29 October 2001


NEW SOUTH WALES SUPREME COURT

CITATION:     Idoport Pty Limited & Anor v National Australia Bank Limited & 8 Ors.;  Idoport Pty Limited & Market Holdings Pty Limited v Donald Robert Argus;  Idoport "JMG" v National Australia Bank Limited & Ors. [44] [2001]  NSWSC 960

CURRENT JURISDICTION:     

FILE NUMBER(S):      50113/98
50026/99
3991/00

HEARING DATE{S):    25/10/01

JUDGMENT DATE:      29/10/2001

PARTIES:
Idoport Pty Limited (Plaintiff)
National Australia Bank Limited (Defendant)
Donald Robert Argus (Defendant)

JUDGMENT OF:        Einstein J     

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION:       Not Applicable

LOWER COURT FILE NUMBER(S):    Not Applicable

LOWER COURT JUDICIAL OFFICER:   Not Applicable

COUNSEL:
Mr R Alkadamani (Plaintiffs)
Mr J Halley (Defendants)

SOLICITORS:
Withnell Hetherington (Plaintiffs)
Freehills (Defendants)

CATCHWORDS:
Evidence
Objections as to admissibility

ACTS CITED:
Evidence Act 1995

DECISION:
Rulings given.

JUDGMENT:

IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
EQUITY DIVISION – COMMERCIAL LIST

Einstein J

29 October 2001

50113/98Idoport Pty Limited & Anor v National Australia Bank Limited and 8 Ors

50026/99Idoport Pty Limited & Market Holdings Pty Limited v Donald Robert Argus

3991/00Idoport Pty Limited “JMG” v National Australia Bank Limited & Ors.

Judgment on objections to Statement of Stephen Coleman of 13 March 2001

  1. The defendants have taken a number of objections to the statement of Mr Stephen Coleman dated 13 March 2001. Mr Coleman is put forward by the plaintiffs as a person having, by his training study or experience, been shown to have acquired specialised knowledge within the meaning of section 79 of the Evidence Act so as to be capable of expressing opinions of an expert nature based wholly or substantially on that specialised knowledge. As I understand the position, the defendants accept that Mr Coleman satisfies the section 79 criteria in principle but rely upon suggested lack of transparency of reasoning processes and suggested bare assertions for the purpose of pressing the subject objections. Other bases for the objections are to be found in MFI D 233 in the template prepared to identify both the defendants’ objections and suggested rulings and the plaintiffs suggested rulings.

  2. Mr Coleman is presently proposed to be cross-examined from the commencement of term next year.  Hence the importance of the parties being given as clear an indication as possible as to the rulings on the subject objections.  Clearly where rulings can be given they should be given so that as appropriate, if a 'reserve/leave' ruling is given, Mr Coleman may be given an appropriate opportunity to supplement the statement in an attempt to overcome admissibility problems.

  3. The rulings are as follows:

Paragraphs Ruling
3.1.1 -  3.1.5

allow paragraph 3.1.4 excluding last sentence.  Grant leave in relation to last sentence.

allow paragraph 3.1.5

allow paragraphs 3.1.1,3.1.2 and 3.1.3 on the basis that they are to be read as going no further than and that the reasoning is based upon paragraphs 3.1.4 and 3.1.5.  Section 136 order accordingly.

3.2.1, 3.2.3 Allow
3.3.1 Allow
3.3.4       (last sentence -
"and significantly more complex")
Allow
3.3.5 reserve/leave
3.3.6 (first and last sentences) reserve/leave
3.3.7 reserve/leave
3.3.8 reserve/leave
3.3.9 allow on basis that it relates to technical requirements or technical capacity only-section 136 order accordingly
3.4.2 reserve/leave
3.4.3 reserve/leave
3.5.1 allow first sentence.  Reserve/leave as to 2nd sentence
3.5.2 (2nd sentence) allow
3.5.3 allow
3.5.4 allow
3.6.2 allow
3.7.1 (a) (2nd paragraph, last sentence) reserve/leave
3.7.1 (c) (2nd paragraph-"The timeframe… by October 1997") reserve/leave
4.1.5 reserve/leave
5.1.9 (first point-"Shares is more complex") reserve/leave
5.2.5-5.2.9. Reserve/leave
5.2.11-5.2.13. Reserve/leave
5.4.6 5.4.6 - reserve/leave to specify derivation of figures.
5.4.7- 5.4.10 allow
5.5.4 reserve/leave
5.5.7 reserve/leave
5.6.1.1 allow
5.6.2.1 reserve/leave
5.6.2.4 (first sentence) reserve/leave
5.6.2.4 (last sentence) reserve/leave
5.6.2.6 (2nd paragraph-"Therefore … size) reserve/leave
5. 6.3.2 reserve/leave
5.6.3.3 reserve/leave
5.6.3.4 reserve/leave
5 .7.1 reserve/leave
5.8.1.1 reserve/leave
6.1 allow first and 2nd sentences.  Reserve/leave as to third sentence
6.2 reserve/leave
6.5 reserve/leave
6.6 reserve/leave
6.7 - 6.8 reserve/leave.  Leave needed because the court has reserved on 6.5 and 6.6
6.9 (last sentence) reserve/leave
6.11 ("but based upon… be required") reserve/leave
6.13 (first bullet point, 2nd sentence) allow
6.15 (first sentence) ruling as agreed - see schedule
6.16 (for sentence) allow
6.16 (last sentence) allow
6.17 (2nd sentence) allow
6.18 (quotations from articles) allow
6.19 allow
7.3.9 reserve/leave
7.3.10 (last two sentences) reserve/leave
7.4 (first sentence) reserve/leave
7.4 (last two sentences) order as proposed by defendants
7.7.2 (for sentence) reserve/leave
7.8 (last sentence) reserve/leave
7.15.3 ("I believe… frame") reserve/leave
7.15.6 (last two sentences) reserve/leave
7.21 (last two sentences) reserve/leave
7.25 (last sentence) Allow
7.31 (last sentence) reserve/leave
7.32 (last sentence) Allow
7.37 (last sentence) reserve/leave
7.42 (last sentence) Allow
7.46 (last sentence) reserve/leave
7.48 ("in my opinion… its people") reserve/leave
7.49 (last sentence) reserve/leave
7.52 (third sentence-"and in fact… markets") reserve/leave
7.57 (last sentence) reserve/leave
7.61 (2nd sentence) Allow
8.7 reserve/leave
8.16 (third sentence) reserve/leave
8.18 (last sentence) ruling as agreed

I certify that paragraphs 1 - 3
are a true copy of the reasons
for judgment herein of the
Hon. Justice Einstein
given on 29 October 2001

___________________
Susan Piggott
Associate

29 October 2001

LAST UPDATED:       11/06/2002