Lidgett v Lidgett

[2023] VSC 705

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT MELBOURNE
COMMON LAW DIVISION
PROPERTY LIST

S ECI 2023 01781

BETWEEN:

JILLIAN ROSEMARY LIDGETT	Plaintiff
v
SIMON JOHN LIDGETT	Defendant

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JUDGE:	Irving AsJ
WHERE HELD:	Melbourne
DATE OF HEARING:	31 October 2023
DATE OF JUDGMENT:	30 November 2023
CASE MAY BE CITED AS:	Lidgett v Lidgett
MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:	[2023] VSC 705

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PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Pleadings – Application to file amended statement of claim under r 36.01 of the Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules (Vic) – New allegations sought to be raised – Prayer for relief unchanged - Amendments clarify real issues in dispute – Application granted.

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Summary judgment – Where defendant seeks summary judgment on plaintiff’s claim to an interest in the defendant’s property – Whether plaintiff’s claim has no real prospect of success – Application dismissed.

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APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
For the Plaintiff	Mr J Lipinski	Heinz Law
For the Defendant	Mr D Clough	Cinque Oakley Bryant Lawyers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 1

Evidence and materials..................................................................................................................... 1

The statement of claim................................................................................................................. 2

The plaintiff’s proposed amended statement of claim............................................................ 3

The plaintiff’s amendment application...................................................................................... 7

The defendant’s dismissal application........................................................................................ 12

Conclusion......................................................................................................................................... 14

HIS HONOUR:

Introduction

1. This proceeding concerns a dispute between a mother and her son over a piece of land in Bacchus Marsh in the State of Victoria.  They are also in dispute in another proceeding in this Court over a farming property.

1. Since 1995 the defendant, Simon Lidgett, has been the registered proprietor of 6 Lerderberg Street, Bacchus Marsh (Property).  The plaintiff, Jillian Lidgett, Simon’s mother, has lived in the Property since around that same time.  In early 2023 the plaintiff registered a caveat on the title to the Property.  The plaintiff’s asserted interest in the Property is described as an implied, resulting or constructive trust.  The defendant disputes the plaintiff has the interest she claims in the caveat.  The plaintiff has commenced this proceeding seeking a declaration that the defendant holds 66.66% of his interest in the Property on resulting trust for the plaintiff.

1. This judgment relates to:

(a)   the plaintiff’s application for leave to file an amended statement of claim; and

(b)  an application by the defendant to dismiss the plaintiff’s statement of claim on the basis that it has no real prospect of success.

1. For the reasons that follow I have decided to grant the plaintiff leave to file an amended statement of claim and to dismiss the defendant’s summary dismissal application.

Evidence and materials

1. In support of her application for leave to amend her statement of claim, the plaintiff relied upon:

(a)   the affidavit of Simon John French sworn 14 August 2023 (first French affidavit);

(b)  the affidavit of Simon John French sworn 25 August 2023;

(c)   the affidavit of Simon John French sworn 26 October 2023 (third French affidavit); and

(d)  written submissions dated 26 October 2023.

1. In support of his dismissal application filed 23 June 2023 the…