Liprini v McIntyre

[2019] NSWSC 355

Supreme Court

New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation:

Liprini v McIntyre [2019] NSWSC 355

Hearing dates:

13-16 August 2018

Date of orders:

04 April 2019

Decision date:

04 April 2019

Jurisdiction:

Common Law

Before:

Simpson AJ

Decision:

1. Statement of claim dismissed.
2. Judgment for the defendants.
3. Plaintiff to pay the defendants’ costs of the proceedings.

Catchwords:

NEGLIGENCE – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) s 5B – identification of risk of harm – professional negligence – solicitors – whether solicitors’ failure to commence proceedings before mediation exposed plaintiff to risk of harm – failure of plaintiff to identify risk of harm – no risk of harm – breach of duty – Civil Liability Act s 5D – causation

 

NEGLIGENCE – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) s 5B – risk of harm – precautions – professional negligence – solicitors – whether solicitors negligent in formulating orders following mediation – whether solicitors ought to have included an order stipulating time for payment and for interest to accrue in case of non-payment – whether such an order was a precaution a reasonable person in defendants’ position would have taken – whether failure to include such an order caused plaintiff’s economic loss – failure of plaintiff to establish breach in formulation of orders – failure of plaintiff to establish causation

 

NEGLIGENCE – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) s 5 O – professional negligence – McKenna v Hunter & New England Local Health District [2013] NSWCA 476 – no evidence of particular practice

  NEGLIGENCE – advocates’ immunity – whether immunity attaches to advice on settlement of litigation – whether settlement of proceedings under Family Provision Act 1952 (NSW) requires judicial determination

Legislation Cited:

Bankruptcy Act 1960
Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW)
Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW)
Evidence Act 1995 (NSW)
Family Provision Act 1982 (NSW)
Limitation Act 1969 (NSW)
Vexatious Proceedings Act 2008 (NSW),
Wills Probate and Administration Act 1898 (NSW)

Cases Cited:

Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak [2009] HCA 48
Attwells v Jackson Lalic Lawyers Pty Ltd (2016) 259 CLR 1; [2016] HCA 16
Bartlett v Coomber [2008] NSW CA 100
Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Bridge [2018] NSWCA 183
Council of the City of Liverpool v Turano [2008] NSWCA 270
D’Orta-Ekenaike v Victoria Legal Aid (2005) 223 CLR 1; [2005] HCA 12
Dobler v Halvorsen (2007) 70 NSWLR 151; [2007] NSWCA 335
Dr Allan Stephen Liprini v Kevin Liprini [No 2], unreported, 28 June 2010
Garzo v Liverpool/Campbelltown Christian School [2012] NSWCA 151
Giannarelli v Wraith (1988) 165 CLR 543; [1988] HCA 52
Heydon v NRMA Ltd (2000) 51 NSWLR 1; [2000] NSWCA 374
Hunter & New England Local Health District v McKenna (2004) 253 CLR 270; [2014] HCA 44
Kevin Liprini v Allan Steven Liprini, unreported, 10 July 2009
Liprini v Liprini [2008] NSWSC 423
Liprini v Liprini [2010] NSWCA 126
MacRae v Stephens [1996] Aust Torts Reports 81-405
Malec v J C Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20
McKenna v Hunter & New England Local Health District [2013] NSWCA 476; (2013) Aust Torts Reports 82-158
Pascoe v Liprini [2011] NSWSC 1484
Paul v Cooke (2013) 85 NSWLR 167; [2013] NSWCA 311
Perisher Blue Pty Ltd v Nair-Smith (2015) 90 NSWLR 1; [2015] NSWCA 90
Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42
Rogers v Whitaker (1992) 175 CLR 479
Rosenberg v Percival (2001) 205 CLR 434; [2001] HCA 18
Saif Ali v Sydney Mitchell & Co (a firm) [1980] AC 198
Sparks v Hobson; Gray v Hobson {2018] NSWCA 29
The Council of the Shire of Wyong v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40
Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Miller [2015] NSWCA 320
Vincent v Woolworths Ltd [2015] NSWSC 435; [2015] Aust Torts Rep 82-215
Waverley Council v Ferreira [2005] NSWCA 418; (2005) Aust Torts Reports 81-818

Category:

Principal judgment

Parties:

Kevin James Liprini (Plaintiff)
John Eric McIntyre (First Defendant)
Sandra Neryl Hale (Second Defendant)
Jeffrey Edmond O’Brien (Third Defendant)
Danny Kenneth Simpson (Fourth Defendant)
Michael Sommerville (Fifth Defendant)

Representation:

Counsel:
D A Lloyd (Plaintiff)
A R Zahra (Defendant)

    Solicitors:
ITC Law Pty Ltd
Sparke Helmore Lawyers

File Number(s):

2013/355003

Judgment

1. SIMPSON AJA: In these proceedings the plaintiff, Kevin Liprini, claims damages from his former solicitors, Redmond Hale Simpson (“RHS”) for what he alleges to have been a breach of their contractual obligations to him, and/or breach of their duty of care in the performance of legal services for which he retained them over a period of several years commencing in early June 2005. The plaintiff’s claims are set out in an amended statement of claim filed on 18 February 2015. The named defendants are five partners in RHS. The parties proceeded on the basis that the claim is governed by the Civil Liability Act 2002 (“the CLA”).

A brief synopsis

2. The plaintiff’s claim arises out of a bitter dispute between himself and his younger brother, Dr Allan Liprini, which specifically concerns the estates of their parents who died in 2005 and 2006, each leaving a will that excluded the plaintiff and nominated Dr Liprini as executor and (in the case of the father’s will) a beneficiary; (in the case of the mother’s will) the sole beneficiary. Following the death of his father in 2005, RHS, on behalf of the plaintiff, commenced proceedings under Part 2 Division 1 of the Family Provision Act 1982 (“the FPA”, now repealed), claiming provision out of the estate. By s 7 the Court was empowered, in certain circumstances, to order that provision be made out of the estate of a deceased person for the maintenance, education or advancement in life of an eligible person. (The plaintiff was an eligible person). Those proceedings had not been finalised when the plaintiff’s mother died in November 2006. On 3 April 2007 the plaintiff instructed RHS to commence proceedings under the FPA, claiming an order for provision from her estate. No such proceedings were commenced. However, at a mediation that took place before a Registrar of the Court in relation to the estate of the father on 6 December 2007, at which the plaintiff was represented by RHS and counsel, the parties reached an agreement pursuant to which substantial provision was to be made in favour of the plaintiff. That provision was intended to encompass the mother’s estate as well as that of the father. The Registrar made orders in accordance with short minutes of orders formulated by the parties’ legal representatives.

3. Notwithstanding his assent to the orders, Dr Liprini never made the payment to which he had agreed. A long process of litigation followed, culminating in the bankruptcy of Dr Liprini. Eventually, the plaintiff was paid a sum (less than the agreed settlement sum) out of Dr Liprini’s bankrupt estate.

4. As ultimately presented, the plaintiff’s claim is that:

• the failure to commence proceedings in relation to his mother’s estate prior to the date of the mediation was a breach of RHS’ duty to him;

• the orders formulated at the mediation and made by the Court were deficient in such a way as to create a risk of harm for the plaintiff, and negligently so;

• alternatively, in breach of their duty, RHS failed to advise the plaintiff of the deficiencies in the formulation of the orders and the potential risks of agreeing to them in the form in which they were made;

• the failure to commence proceedings and/or the negligent formulation of the short minutes of orders representing the agreement of the plaintiff and Dr Liprini at mediation and/or for the failure to advise the plaintiff of the potential risks caused financial loss and damage to him.

5. There are some, although limited, disputed questions of fact. On the whole, the relevant facts and circumstances are not in issue and are largely documented.

The pleadings

6. As pleaded in the amended statement of claim, the plaintiff alleged that RHS failed to provide legal services to the plaintiff in accordance with a reasonable standard of care, skill and diligence. He particularised his claim as follows:

(i)   RHS ought to have brought proceedings against Dr Liprini as executor of his mother’s estate prior to the date of the mediation;

(ii)   RHS ought to have advised the plaintiff to agree only to terms of orders:

• that were enforceable personally against Dr Liprini;

• that specified 28 days, or a reasonable time, to pay, in default of which interest would be payable; and

• that provided for security from the assets of his mother’s estate;

(iii)   RHS ought to have advised the plaintiff that, unless the terms set out above were agreed by Dr Liprini, he ought to prosecute his claim with respect to his mother’s estate, and to seek from the court an order providing security from the assets of that estate (presumably on the assumption that he was successful in his claim), as well as an order for interest;

(iv)   RHS brought proceedings against Dr Liprini only in his capacity as executor of James Liprini’s estate, but then resolved the plaintiff’s rights against Dr Liprini in his capacity as executor of his mother’s estate.

(v)   RHS failed to draft short minutes representing the agreement reached at mediation that clearly imposed obligations on Dr Liprini in his personal capacity as well as a time for payment and an obligation to pay interest if the agreed sums were not paid within that time. (see amended statement of claim, para 37)

7. The plaintiff pleaded a claim for damages representing the lost opportunity of recovering the difference between the agreed settlement sum and the amount he had eventually recovered in Dr Liprini’s bankruptcy, and various costs he had incurred in the litigation that followed the settlement at mediation.

8. The first to fourth defendants filed a joint defence. For some reason that is not apparent the fifth defendant (Michael Sommerville) filed a separate, but apparently identical, defence. The defences denied breach of contract or duty, and raised an issue concerning the causal connection between any established breach and any loss or damage suffered by the plaintiff. They asserted that the losses relied upon by the plaintiff were attributable to causes other than their representation of the plaintiff, specifically the conduct of Dr Liprini. They pleaded a defence under the Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) (later abandoned). They invoked s 5 0 of the CLA (which quarantines from liability professionals acting in a manner widely accepted by Australian peer professional opinion). They claimed that if they were found to be in breach of their duty, either counsel who represented the plaintiff at the mediation or Dr Liprini, or both, were, for the purposes of Part 4 of the CLA, concurrent wrongdoers, by reason of which the plaintiff’s claim is apportionable. They claimed immunity from suit under the doctrine known as “advocates’ immunity”: see, for example Giannarelli v Wraith (1988) 165 CLR 543; [1988] HCA 52; D’Orta-Ekenaike v Victoria Legal Aid (2005) 223 CLR 1; [2005] HCA 12; Attwells v Jackson Lalic Lawyers Pty Ltd (2016) 259 CLR 1; [2016] HCA 16.

Factual background

9. It is necessary now to set out in considerably more detail the relevant facts. Except where otherwise stated, the facts are uncontentious.

10. The plaintiff is the elder of two sons of James Natale Liprini and Anne Mary Liprini. He was born in July 1947 and was 57 at the time of his father’s death in January 2005. His younger brother, Allan Liprini, was born in November 1948 and was 56 at that time.

11. James Liprini began and for many years conducted a successful automotive business. At the age of 14 years and 6 months the plaintiff left school (he said at the insistence of his father) and undertook and then completed an apprenticeship in the business. Ultimately, on his father’s retirement in about 1976, he took over the management of the business.

12. Allan Liprini undertook medical studies and graduated as a doctor. After some personal difficulties (which the plaintiff asserted included drug addiction and financial mismanagement) he established a medical practice.

13. James Liprini made his last Will on 5 October 2001. He died on 21 January 2005. In his last Will he appointed Dr Liprini as the sole executor. He bequeathed to Dr Liprini a property at Helensburgh. He bequeathed the residue of his estate to his wife, Anne Liprini. James Liprini made no provision out of his estate for the plaintiff. He explained this in a declaration contained in clause 6 of the Will as follows:

“6. I DECLARE that I have made no provision in this Will for my son KEVIN JAMES LIPRINI as I have made adequate provision for him during his lifetime by making him a gift of One million dollars ($1,000,000.00)”.

14. Early in June of 2005 the plaintiff sought the advice of RHS with respect to his exclusion from his father’s Will. Initially, he dealt with Mr Danny Simpson, a partner of RHS. Subsequently, from about 3 April 2007, Mr Michael Sommerville, by then also a partner in RHS, assumed responsibility for his affairs. Mr Simpson briefed a barrister, Mr Mark Lawson, to advise with respect to any claim the plaintiff might have had under the FPA with respect to his father’s estate. Mr Lawson’s advice was cautious as to the plaintiff’s prospects of making a successful claim.

15. Probate of James Liprini’s Will was granted to Dr Liprini on 2 August 2005. An inventory of property showed that he was the sole owner of real estate valued at $840,000, deposits in bank accounts to the value of $331,498.85, and shares valued at $9,000. There was also some property (real estate and deposits in bank accounts) jointly owned with Anne Liprini. A property at Sylvania Waters (which I take to have been the family home) was held in a joint tenancy with Anne Liprini and appears to have passed to her by right of survivorship. (There was no clarity as to the nature of the tenancy). The total value of James Liprini’s estate was stated to be $1,180,743.65.

16. Section 16(1)(b) of the FPA prescribed a period of 18 months from the death of the person in respect of whose estate an application for provision under s 7 is to be made for making the application. On 15 June 2006, RHS advised the plaintiff that any claim under the FPA had to be made by the end of July 2006. Notwithstanding Mr Lawson’s caution about the merits of a claim, a summons was filed on 18 July 2006, seeking orders for provision for the plaintiff under s 7 of the FPA. Both the plaintiff and Dr Liprini swore and filed affidavits in the proceedings, the plaintiff on 27 September 2006. In that affidavit he disclosed assets in excess of $1,378,000, liabilities of $641,494, and annual expenses of $146,000.

17. On 19 October 2006 Dr Liprini, in his capacity as executor of the estate, filed an affidavit setting out the position with respect to James Liprini’s estate. He deposed that assets of the estate had been distributed. The property at Helensburgh had been, in accordance with James Liprini’s Will, transferred to himself, and a total of $658,586.20 had, in three tranches in 2005, been distributed to Anne Liprini. The then current value of the undistributed estate was approximately $30,000.

18. That James Liprini’s estate had been substantially distributed was not fatal to the plaintiff’s claim. By Part 2, Division 2 of the FPA, the court was empowered to designate as “notional estate” property that had been disposed of by the deceased person within specified periods prior to death (and that satisfied stated criteria) or had been part of the estate and distributed. Property designated as notional estate was available to satisfy an order under s 7 for provision.

19. On 26 November 2006 Anne Liprini died. Her last Will was made on 4 December 1996. She appointed Dr Liprini as sole executor, whom she also named as sole beneficiary. She also stated her reasons for omitting to make any provision for the plaintiff, in the following terms:

“5. I DECLARE that I have made no provision in this Will for my son KEVIN LIPRINI as my husband has made adequate provision for him during his lifetime by making him a gift of One million dollars ($1,000,000) and by giving him the then family business.”

20. An inventory of property showed total assets of $2,713,215.71, which included a balance of “estate monies” from the estate of James Liprini. The total of cash deposits in various bank accounts was $1,133,489. This inventory was provided to the plaintiff in March 2007. On 3 April 2007 he instructed RHS to commence proceedings in respect of Anne Liprini’s estate “the same as my Father’s Will …” It was at about this time that the plaintiff’s file held by RHS was transferred from Mr Simpson to Mr Sommerville. On 11 April, the plaintiff confirmed his instructions to commence proceedings. Mr Sommerville sought instructions from the plaintiff concerning the declarations in both Wills that the plaintiff had been given $1 million during James Liprini’s lifetime. On 8 May 2007 Mr Sommerville attended a conference with Mr Lawson. The plaintiff was not present. Mr Lawson advised:

“We need to put on a Summons in respect of the mother’s estate once probate is granted.”

He asked if probate had yet been granted to which the answer was in the negative. Mr Sommerville passed that advice on to the plaintiff, and sought further instructions.

21. On 1 June 2007 Mr Lawson advised in respect of the plaintiff’s claim against James Liprini’s estate. He expressed himself to be “concerned” about the plaintiff’s prospects of success, having regard to the statement of assets and liabilities in his affidavit, and he made particular, and sceptical, reference to the plaintiff’s claimed annual expenses. He said that, subject to the plaintiff providing evidence of a “genuine need” for provision, he would be hopeful of arranging a mediation in the future with a view to settling the case for “a reasonably modest sum”. He did not quantify that sum. He identified further information it was necessary for the plaintiff to provide.

22. Thereafter Mr Sommerville made periodic enquiries of Dr Liprini’s solicitors as to whether probate of Anne Liprini’s Will had been sought or granted. Although he appreciated that proceedings under the FPA could be commenced in the absence of a grant of probate, he preferred not to do so until probate had been granted. He was also making efforts to have the plaintiff provide current financial information and preferred not to commence proceedings until he had that information.

23. On 9 July 2007 probate was granted. On 27 July 2007 the solicitors who had been acting for Dr Liprini notified RHS that they were no longer instructed. RHS attempted to communicate directly with Dr Liprini. Dr Liprini’s new solicitors did not advise RHS of the grant of probate until 5 December 2007.

24. On about 4 September 2007, Dr Liprini, through his solicitors, sought the plaintiff’s consent to an interim distribution to him (Dr Liprini) of $20,000 (subsequently $90,000), he being in financial difficulties at that time. RHS advised the plaintiff to consent, which he did.

25. The plaintiff made it clear that he expected to be awarded a 50% share of the value of the combined estates of James and Anne Liprini, and that he would accept nothing less. In a telephone conference on 23 November 2007, Mr Lawson advised that it was unlikely that he would achieve that result. Mr Lawson explained to the plaintiff that, in proceedings under the FPA, the determination was “needs based”. He advised him to settle for $100,000 - $150,000 and that, if he went to a hearing, his claim might fail altogether. Mr Sommerville conveyed Mr Lawson’s advice to the plaintiff by letter on 17 November. In a telephone conversation on 26 November, the plaintiff again stated that he would not accept those figures, and would prefer to mediate.

26. On 25 September 2007 an order was made by the Court (by consent) for the FPA proceedings to be listed for mediation in the Supreme Court. At this time the only “FPA proceedings” were those in relation to James Liprini’s estate, no such proceedings having been commenced with respect to Anne Liprini’s estate. The mediation was fixed for 6 December 2007 before a Registrar of the Court. In November the plaintiff attended a conference with Mr Sommerville and Mr Lawson. There was discussion about the plaintiff’s financial position. From time to time thereafter Mr Sommerville sought information from the plaintiff concerning his assets and liabilities. He had some difficulty in obtaining that information.

21. At the conference of 23 November, the plaintiff expressed suspicion concerning the death of Anne Liprini. He had earlier made claims that Dr Liprini was somehow involved in her death. He repeated that claim in the conversation of 26 November. He took steps to ensure that a coronial inquiry would take place. He then expressly suggested to Mr Sommerville that the pending coronial inquiry might be used as “lever” with which to exert pressure on Dr Liprini to agree to provision out of the estates of his parents. Mr Sommerville very properly and firmly rejected that proposition.

22. Mr Sommerville continued his efforts to obtain information concerning probate of Anne Liprini’s Will. It was not until 5 December 2007 that Dr Liprini’s new solicitors advised that probate had been granted (although that had happened on 9 July of that year).

23. At the mediation of 6 December 2007 the plaintiff was represented by Mr Sommerville and Mr Lawson. Dr Liprini was represented by solicitor and counsel. It is fair to say that the mediation was not easy. (Given the history recorded above that is hardly surprising). During the course of the mediation Dr Liprini’s legal representatives told Mr Sommerville that their client was having a nervous breakdown, and “[it] may all fall apart”.

24. Although no proceedings in respect of the estate of Anne Liprini had been commenced, it is quite apparent, and not disputed, that all involved conducted the mediation on the basis that both estates were involved. For example, counsel for Dr Liprini began by stating the value of each estate - $580,000 in James Liprini’s estate (notwithstanding the affidavit stating that only $30,000 remained undistributed – the discrepancy is unexplained), $2.7 million in Anne Liprini’s estate. Given his affidavit evidence that only $30,000 of James Liprini’s estate remained undistributed, Dr Liprini’s requests for consent to distributions are consistent only with an appreciation that Anne Liprini’s estate was also in contest. The mediation proceeded on the basis that the total available for distribution was (approximately) $3.3 million – that is, including Anne Liprini’s estate.

25. The offers made during the mediation also reflect that fact. The plaintiff made an opening offer of $1.6 million; Dr Liprini offered $100,000. Eventually, the plaintiff agreed to have Mr Lawson offer to settle for $750,000 plus costs. If that were not agreed, he said, “I’ll walk” (which I take to mean that he would abandon the mediation and litigate). What happened next is in dispute. Mr Sommerville’s version is as follows. The plaintiff asked:

“Say if we settle today, how long will my brother have to pay me the money?”

to which Mr Lawson replied:

“Your brother will have 28 days to pay you the settlement figure before interest starts accruing. Your brother will pay you before that because he won’t want to pay you interest on top of the settlement amount.”

32. Mr Sommerville’s evidence was that the plaintiff remained present at the mediation until 1 pm when he left. Prior to leaving he gave instructions to settle on the basis that he received $750,000 as a legacy and $20,000 towards his legal costs. He made it plain that he would not move from those figures. After that conversation the plaintiff left the mediation.

33. The plaintiff’s version, (given in his affidavit) of what happened is as follows:

“45.    My understanding was that Mr Sommerville or Mr Lawson made an offer to settle the proceedings by having the combined total of Father’s and Mother’s estates equally distributed between my Brother and me. The offer was not accepted and, to the best of my recollection, no counter offer was made.

46.   I recall that the mediation proceeded for most of the day. Towards the end of the day, I had a conversation with Mr Sommerville as follows:

Me:   ‘the mediation is a waste of time. I can’t see any point in proceeding with it’.

[Mr Sommerville]: ‘We should try and resolve the matter. We should try to ask for $750,000 plus $20,000 toward your legal fees.’

Me:   ‘You know that my view is my brother won’t agree.’

[Mr Sommerville]: ‘Do we have your instructions to accept such an offer if they agree to it?’

Me:   ‘Okay, but my brother won’t pay, he doesn’t pay anyone, so why is he going to agree to pay this?’

[Mr Sommerville]: ‘There is $1.2 million in the bank. The money can come straight out of the bank to pay you’.”

47.   I remember signing a written authority for Mr Sommerville to settle the proceedings on these terms and left the mediation …”

34. It is not in dispute that the plaintiff left the mediation before it was finalised. Mr Sommerville’s evidence (undisputed) was that Dr Liprini agreed to pay the plaintiff a sum of $770,000 inclusive of costs. He said that counsel for Dr Liprini raised the issue of a form of order that would bind both estates and there was some discussion about how this could be achieved.

35. The result was that Mr Lawson and counsel for Dr Liprini prepared and signed short minutes of orders which were subsequently made by the Registrar. The orders were in the following terms:

“1.   Order under s 7 of the Family Provisions [sic] Act that provision be made in favour of the Plaintiff out of the Estate of the late James Natale Liprini in the sum of $750,000.

2.   That the Plaintiff’s costs agreed in the sum of $20,000 be paid out of the Estate of the late James Natale Liprini; and

3.   Order that the Defendant’s costs be paid out of the Estate of the late James Natale Liprini on an indemnity basis.

The Court notes:

4.   The above orders were agreed by the parties in contemplation of a claim by the Plaintiff against his mother’s estate under s 7 of the Family Provisions [sic] Act. The Plaintiff agrees to execute a Deed, if called upon to do so, releasing the Defendant (as executor of the Estate of his late mother) from any claim under s 7 of the Family Provisions [sic] Act.”

36. In his affidavit the plaintiff asserted that, following his departure, Mr Sommerville telephoned him and they had a conversation to the following effect:

[Mr Sommerville]: ‘We’ve settled the matter at $770,000 (Settlement Sum) including costs of $20,000’.

[plaintiff] ‘When would I get the cash?’

[Mr Sommerville]: Your brother has got 28 days from today to pay the money.

[plaintiff]: ‘What if he doesn’t pay? As I said before, he doesn’t pay anyone.’

[Mr Sommerville]: ‘Don’t worry Kevin, it’s in stone’.”

37. In oral evidence, the plaintiff made a correction to that evidence. He said that no reference to a period of 28 days to pay was made in that conversation, but that, on a later occasion (10 December 2007), Mr Sommerville advised him that the settlement sum was to be paid within 28 days.

38. Mr Sommerville denies the terms of the conversation alleged: he specifically denies that the plaintiff asked what would happen if Dr Liprini did not pay, that he said that he (Dr Liprini) does not pay anyone, and that Mr Sommerville said “don’t worry Kevin, it’s set in stone.”

39. As will be seen below, it is not necessary to resolve these factual disputes.

40. Notwithstanding his agreement at the mediation, Dr Liprini failed to make any payment to the plaintiff. Mr Sommerville communicated from time to time with Dr Liprini’s solicitors, until Dr Liprini terminated their instructions on or about 4 February 2008. Mr Sommerville then attempted to communicate with Dr Liprini directly.

41. On 3 March 2008 RHS filed a summons in the Equity Division of this Court seeking orders that Dr Liprini be dealt with for contempt, arising out of his failure to comply with the orders. On 13 May 2008, those proceedings were dismissed by Brereton J: Liprini v Liprini [2008] NSWSC 423.

42. On 23 April 2008, on behalf of the plaintiff, RHS filed a second summons in the Equity Division, seeking:

• an order that Dr Liprini pay to the plaintiff the sum of $770,000;

• a declaration that Dr Liprini was personally liable for payment of the settlement sum;

• alternatively, further orders for provision out of the estate and/or notional estate of James Liprini and/or Anne Liprini under s 7 of the FPA,

and other supplementary orders that it is unnecessary to mention.

43. The summons came before Nicholas J on 9 July 2009. The following day, 10 July 2009, his Honour delivered judgment: Kevin Liprini v Allan Steven Liprini, unreported, 10 July 2009.

44. Nicholas J considered that the proceeding before him was one to give effect to, or to enforce, the orders of 6 December, and that the outcome turned on the proper construction of those orders. He rejected an argument advanced on behalf of Dr Liprini that the effect of the orders was confined to the estate of James Liprini and did not extend either to Dr Liprini personally or to the estate of Anne Liprini. He considered that the language of the orders was “plain and unambiguous”, and that Dr Liprini had agreed to be bound to their implementation, that the intention of the parties was to resolve the claim in relation to James Liprini’s estate, as well as any potential claim against the estate of Anne Liprini, and that the parties proceeded on the assumption that Dr Liprini would take such steps as were necessary to honour the agreement he had made, which would involve drawing on the assets of Anne Liprini’s estate if necessary. He concluded:

“28.   Finally, in my opinion, it was intended by these orders that the plaintiff would receive a total sum of $770,000 in settlement of claims against both estates of which the defendant, as executor, was in control. It follows, that by agreeing to these orders, the defendant was effectively agreeing to arrange for the provision of the appropriate amounts.”

He directed the plaintiff to bring in short minutes of order to give effect to the conclusions stated. The orders and declarations he made were:

“1.   A declaration that on its true construction the effect of the orders made on 6 December 2006 that the sums for payment therein would be payable:

(a)   From the Estate of the Late James Natale Liprini;

(b)   From the Estate of the Late Anne Mary Liprini,

and that the Defendant would be personally liable for the payment of those sums to the Plaintiff;

2. An order under rule 54.3 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules that the defendant pay to the plaintiff the sum of $770,000;

3. An order that interest be paid by the defendant to the plaintiff from 3 January 2008 to date at the rate prescribed by s 84A of the Probate and Administration Act 1898 (NSW) in the sum of $67,500;

4.   An order that the defendant pay the plaintiff’s costs of these proceedings (such costs not to include the costs of preparation for all alternative grounds for relief as set out as paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of the Summons filed herein) on a party and party basis;

5.   Each party to pay their own costs of preparation for all alternative grounds for relief as set out at paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of the Summons filed herein;

6.   The balance of the plaintiff’s summons dismissed; and

7.   The plaintiff to have liberty to apply for further consideration by Notice of Motion on 7 days notice in the event that the defendant breaches or otherwise fails to comply with the above orders.”

45. The significance of these orders and declarations cannot be overlooked. They confirm, if confirmation is necessary, that the estates of both James Liprini and Anne Liprini were involved in the mediation and bound by the orders there made. They confirm that the agreed orders were, and were intended to be, orders under s 7 of the FPA. It will be necessary to make further reference to these orders and declarations.

46. The narrative should end there. Regrettably, it does not, and it is what happened – and what did not happen - thereafter that gives rise to the present proceedings. Dr Liprini continued to defy the orders. On 8 October 2009 he filed a Notice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal nominating the (agreed) orders of 6 December 2007 as the subject of the appeal. On 24 May 2010, on an application filed on behalf of the plaintiff, Allsop P summarily dismissed the appeal: Liprini v Liprini [2010] NSWCA 126. Pursuant to UCPR 51.58, Dr Liprini sought review of that decision. That application was dismissed on 28 June 2010 by Beazley and Giles JJA and Handley AJA: Dr Allan Stephen Liprini v Kevin Liprini [No 2], unreported, 28 June 2010.

47. In June 2010 Dr Liprini filed two further notices of motion, each seeking review of the decision of Allsop P. Each was dismissed by the Registrar on 5 July 2010.

48. In August 2010 Dr Liprini filed a notice of motion in the Equity Division, seeking an order that the orders of 6 December 2007 be set aside. That notice of motion was subsequently dismissed by consent, a trustee in bankruptcy by then having taken control of Dr Liprini’s financial affairs.

49. In September 2009 RHS began the process of seeking a sequestration order under the Bankruptcy Act 1960 against the estate of Dr Liprini. There followed a course of skirmishing in the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit Court which it is not necessary to detail. Eventually, on 3 September 2010, a sequestration order was made. Dr Liprini appealed against that order, and filed an application for stay of any further proceedings. He later sought (on two occasions) annulment of the bankruptcy. On 5 December 2011, on the application of his trustee in bankruptcy, Dr Liprini was, under the provisions of the Vexatious Proceedings Act 2008 (NSW), declared a vexatious litigant: Pascoe v Liprini [2011] NSWSC 1484 per Adamson J.

50. The plaintiff filed a proof of debt in Dr Liprini’s bankruptcy in the amount of $943,875, which was admitted. Ultimately, he received $458,764 from the estate.

51. Naturally, the various manoeuvres (and I have detailed only a small proportion of them) taken by Dr Liprini caused the plaintiff to incur expenses. He includes these costs as part of the damages he claims against RHS. That is why it has been necessary to go into some detail about the events that post-date the mediation and the orders of Nicholas J.

The applicable law

(i)   Negligence

52. Part 1A of the CLA is concerned with negligence. Negligence is defined in s 5 as “failure to exercise reasonable care and skill”. Although the plaintiff’s case is pleaded in both contract and tort, its sole foundation in each case lies in the assertion that RHS failed to exercise reasonable care and skill in the provision of legal services to the plaintiff. By s 5A(1), Part 1A:

“…applies to any claim for damages for harm resulting from negligence, regardless of whether the claim is brought in tort, in contract, under statute or otherwise.”

It is, accordingly, unnecessary to differentiate between the two causes of action pleaded. Each is to be determined having regard to the same statutory provisions.

53. In Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330; [2007] HCA 42 at [18] Gummow J, with whose reasons Heydon J agreed, stated five principles applicable to “the proper resolution of an action in negligence”. The five principles are:

(i)   there must exist a relevant duty of care;

(ii)   such a duty imposes an obligation to exercise reasonable care;

(iii)   the assessment of breach of that duty depends upon the correct identification of the relevant risk of injury;

(iv)   an asserted breach of that duty must be assessed prospectively, not retrospectively;

(v)   the assessment of breach must be made in the manner described by Mason J in Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 at 47-48.

At [59], his Honour said:

“It is only through the correct identification of the risk that one can assess what a reasonable response to that risk would be.”

54. The passage in Shirt to which Gummow J referred is:

“In deciding whether there has been a breach of the duty of care the tribunal of fact must first ask itself whether a reasonable man in the defendant’s position would have foreseen that his conduct involved a risk of injury to the plaintiff or to a class of persons including the plaintiff. If the answer be in the affirmative, it is then for the tribunal of fact to determine what a reasonable man would do by way of response to the risks. The perception of the reasonable man’s response calls for a consideration of the magnitude of the risk and the degree of the probability of its occurrence, along with the expense, difficulty and inconvenience of taking alleviating action and any other conflicting responsibilities which the defendant may have. It is only when these matters are balanced out that the tribunal of fact can confidently assert what is the standard of response to be ascribed to the reasonable man placed in the defendant’s position.”

(ii)   Statutory provisions

55. The CLA proceeds on substantially the same basis. It was not in issue that RHS owed the plaintiff a duty of care, and that duty imposed on them a duty to exercise a reasonable care and skill in the provision of legal services to him. The three principal questions that arise are: (i) whether RHS were in breach of that duty; and, (ii) if they were, whether that breach was the cause of any loss of damage to him; and (iii) the quantification of any such loss. The relevant provisions of the CLA are the following:

“5B   General principles

(1)  A person is not negligent in failing to take precautions against a risk of harm unless:

(a)  the risk was foreseeable (that is, it is a risk of which the person knew or ought to have known), and

(b)  the risk was not insignificant, and

(c)  in the circumstances, a reasonable person in the person’s position would have taken those precautions.

(2)  In determining whether a reasonable person would have taken precautions against a risk of harm, the court is to consider the following (amongst other relevant things):

(a)  the probability that the harm would occur if care were not taken,

(b)  the likely seriousness of the harm,

(c)  the burden of taking precautions to avoid the risk of harm,

(d)  the social utility of the activity that creates the risk of harm.

5C   Other principles

In proceedings relating to liability for negligence:

(a)  the burden of taking precautions to avoid a risk of harm includes the burden of taking precautions to avoid similar risks of harm for which the person may be responsible, and

(b)  the fact that a risk of harm could have been avoided by doing something in a different way does not of itself give rise to or affect liability for the way in which the thing was done, and

(c)  the subsequent taking of action that would (had the action been taken earlier) have avoided a risk of harm does not of itself give rise to or affect liability in respect of the risk and does not of itself constitute an admission of liability in connection with the risk.

5D   General principles

(1)  A determination that negligence caused particular harm comprises the following elements:

(a)  that the negligence was a necessary condition of the occurrence of the harm (factual causation), and

(b)  that it is appropriate for the scope of the negligent person’s liability to extend to the harm so caused (scope of liability).

(2)  In determining in an exceptional case, in accordance with established principles, whether negligence that cannot be established as a necessary condition of the occurrence of harm should be accepted as establishing factual causation, the court is to consider (amongst other relevant things) whether or not and why responsibility for the harm should be imposed on the negligent party.

(3)  If it is relevant to the determination of factual causation to determine what the person who suffered harm would have done if the negligent person had not been negligent:

(a)  the matter is to be determined subjectively in the light of all relevant circumstances, subject to paragraph (b), and

(b)  any statement made by the person after suffering the harm about what he or she would have done is inadmissible except to the extent (if any) that the statement is against his or her interest.

(4)  For the purpose of determining the scope of liability, the court is to consider (amongst other relevant things) whether or not and why responsibility for the harm should be imposed on the negligent party.

5E   Onus of proof

In proceedings relating to liability for negligence, the plaintiff always bears the onus of proving, on the balance of probabilities, any fact relevant to the issue of causation.

5 O   Standard of care for professionals

(1)  A person practising a profession (a professional) does not incur a liability in negligence arising from the provision of a professional service if it is established that the professional acted in a manner that (at the time the service was provided) was widely accepted in Australia by peer professional opinion as competent professional practice.

(2)  However, peer professional opinion cannot be relied on for the purposes of this section if the court considers that the opinion is irrational.

(3)  The fact that there are differing peer professional opinions widely accepted in Australia concerning a matter does not prevent any one or more (or all) of those opinions being relied on for the purposes of this section.

(4)  Peer professional opinion does not have to be universally accepted to be considered widely accepted.”

56. RHS also relied on Part 4 of the CLA, which is concerned with apportioning liability where “concurrent wrongdoers” bear responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by the plaintiff.

57. As is apparent from even a superficial analysis of s 5B, and consistently with the five principles stated by Gummow J in Dederer, any claim in negligence (once a duty is established) starts with the proposition that there exists a risk of harm. To give rise to liability in negligence, that risk must be foreseeable, not insignificant, and such that a reasonable person in the position of the defendant would have taken precautions against the materialisation of the harm.

58. Determination of whether a reasonable person would have taken precautions against a risk of harm (and, if so, what precautions) involves consideration of the four matters itemised in s 5B(2). Where a court concludes that the risk of harm was foreseeable, was not insignificant, and was such that precautions could and should have been taken, the defendant will ordinarily be found to have been in breach of his/her or its duty of care.

59. Dederer and Shirt were decisions under the common law. Shirt predated the enactment of the CLA; the CLA did not apply to the RTA in Dederer (see [31]). But it may be seen that s 5B(2) reflects the considerations stated by Mason J in Shirt: Waverley Council v Ferreira [2005] NSWCA 418; (2005) Aust Torts Reports 81-818 at [45]; Council of the City of Liverpool v Turano [2008] NSWCA 270 at [171].

60. Sections 5B and 5C are directed to questions of breach of duty. They do not address the identification of the relevant risk of harm: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak [2009] HCA 48 at [13]. In Garzo v Liverpool/Campbelltown Christian School [2012] NSWCA 151 Meagher JA said:

“22. The question which s 5B requires be answered favourably to the plaintiff is whether in the face of a risk of harm which was foreseeable and not insignificant, a reasonable person in the defendant’s position would have taken those precautions having regard to, among other relevant things, the considerations in s 5B(2). To address the questions and considerations in s 5B, it is necessary to formulate a plaintiff’s claim in a way which takes account of the precautions which it is alleged should have been taken and identifies the risk or risks of harm which the plaintiff alleges eventuated and to which those preparations should have been directed.” (italics added)

61. In Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) v Miller [2015] NSWCA 320, at [119]-[122], Leeming JA discussed the degree of particularity or generality with which the risk of harm needs to be formulated. In any case, there is no single correct formulation: what is required will vary from case to case.

62. While questions of breach are to be assessed “prospectively, not with the wisdom of hindsight”, in identifying the risk of harm, some degree of retrospectivity is permissible: Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd v Bridge [2018] NSWCA 183. In Bridge, Leeming and Payne JJA endorsed the reasoning of Campbell J in Vincent v Woolworths Ltd [2015] NSWSC 435; [2015] Aust Torts Rep 82-215 at [27]. Campbell J said:

“It seems to me, reading Gummow J’s judgment in Dederer, especially from p 351 to 355, as a whole, the question of the proper identification of the risk is a precursor to the assessment of breach. That is to say it is a question logically anterior to, and separate from, the assessment of breach. At that preliminary point it is permissible, indeed necessary, to know what happened and what act or omission the plaintiff says constitutes negligence. These matters involve hindsight. When these things are known, one then embarks upon (returns to, as Gummow put it: Dederer at [65]) ‘to the enquiry into the assessment of breach’. From this point on, all hindsight reasoning is impermissible because hindsight diverts attention from what reasonable care required in foresight, to whether in hindsight the defendant could have prevented the accident which befell the plaintiff ….” (internal references omitted)

(iii)   The standard of care

63. The standard of care required of persons providing professional advice and services was stated by the High Court in Rogers v Whitaker (1992) 175 CLR 479 at 483; [1992] HCA 58.

64. That case involved an allegation of negligence against a medical practitioner in failing to warn a patient of a material risk in a proposed procedure. The High Court said:

“The law imposes on a medical practitioner a duty to exercise reasonable care and skill in the provision of professional advice and treatment. That duty is a ‘single comprehensive duty covering all the ways in which a doctor is called upon to exercise his skill and judgment’ … It is of course necessary to give content to the duty in the given case.

The standard of reasonable care and skill required is that of the ordinary skilled person exercising and professing to have that special skill.”

65. Although evidence of acceptable professional practice is admissible and often useful, the final adjudication of what is the appropriate standard of care is that of the court (Rogers, at 487): see also Rosenberg v Percival (2001) 205 CLR 434; [2001] HCA 18 at [7].

66. Rogers and Rosenberg were cases involving the duties of medical practitioners. In Heydon v NRMA Ltd (2000) 51 NSWLR 1; [2000] NSWCA 374 Malcolm AJA expressly adopted the principle so stated as relevant to the duty of legal practitioners (at [146]). McPherson AJA took a similar approach (at [362]). The third member of the bench, Ormiston AJA, expressed some reservation (at [650]).

67. Both Rogers and Heydon predate the CLA. However, it appears generally to be accepted that the statement of principle in Rogers has continued application in defining the standard of care in proceedings under the CLA against professionals.

The plaintiff’s case

68. In final written submissions, the plaintiff’s case was presented by way of two alternatives. The first, designated “the primary case”, was straightforward: it was that, by failing to commence proceedings in respect of Anne Liprini’s estate prior to the mediation of 6 December 2007, RHS failed to discharge their duty of care.

69. What was designated “the alternative case” called into question the formulation of the orders that were agreed at the mediation. The breach of duty was (in final submissions) said to lie in the failure of Mr Sommerville to propose to Dr Liprini’s legal representative that the orders:

(i) designate certain assets in James Liprini’s estate as “notional estate” for the purposes of Part 2, Division 2 of the FPA;

(ii)   include provision for the payment of interest if the sum agreed was not paid within 28 days;

(iii)   include security in the form of a caveat over real property, and/or an irrevocable direction to the banks in which funds were held;

and, if such orders were proposed and rejected, in the failure to advise the plaintiff to litigate rather than settle, or to warn him of the risks associated with settling on the basis of the orders as drafted.

70. The first of these was a 180⁰ degree turn from the case pleaded in the amended statement of claim. Notably, there was, in the amended statement of claim, no particularisation of the failure to designate assets as notional estate as a breach of duty. Rather the failure there specified was the failure to propose orders that bound Dr Liprini in his personal capacity. The breach now alleged is failure to seek to bind Dr Liprini in his executorial capacity.

71. In support of the primary case, reliance was placed on five factual aspects of the evidence. These were:

(i)   that the plaintiff had, on three separate occasions, instructed RHS to commence proceedings in relation to Anne Liprini’s estate;

(ii)   that on 8 May 2007, counsel advised RHS to commence proceedings;

(iii)   that there was no barrier to the commencement of proceedings; the apparent reason for delay was Mr Sommerville’s preference to wait for a grant of probate;

(iv)   in cross-examination Mr Sommerville agreed that the commencement of proceedings was crucial to protecting the plaintiff’s rights;

(v)   that RHS ought to have been more diligent in seeking information about the grant of probate.

Expert evidence

72. The solicitors for each party qualified an expert to express an opinion to be tendered as opinion evidence under s 79 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW). The plaintiff’s solicitors retained Mr Richard Neal, a solicitor who holds specialist accreditation in wills and estates law for NSW and has practised in areas including applications under the FPA. The solicitors submitted a series of six questions to Mr Neal for his expert opinion. All questions were directed to whether RHS had been in breach of its duty to the plaintiff, in various respects.

73. Mr Neal provided a report dated 7 March 2017. The first question asked of Mr Neal concerned the failure of RHS to commence proceedings in respect of Anne Liprini’s estate prior to the mediation. This is the question raised by the plaintiff’s primary case. The specific question asked of Mr Neal was:

“Did RHS breach the duty it owed to Mr Liprini to provide legal and associated services in accordance with a reasonable standard of care, skill and diligence by:

(i) failing to commence proceedings against [Dr Liprini] as executor of [Anne Liprini’s] estate before 6 December 2007?”

74. There was no clear answer to this question in Mr Neal’s report. He said that a grant of probate was not necessary for the commencement of proceedings, but immediately proceeded to question the effectiveness of the notation in clause 4 of the orders, by which the plaintiff agreed, if called upon to do so, to execute a Deed releasing Dr Liprini as executor from any claim under the FPA. This was not a question that had been submitted to him; nor was it a question raised on the pleadings.

75. Mr Neal then discussed, as the “preferred course” seeking an order designating as notional estate property already distributed from James Liprini’s estate (from which provision could then have been made for the plaintiff) but also noted that that would entail the need to join as a party any person to whom the property had been distributed. This also was a question neither submitted to him nor raised on the pleadings.

76. In respect of the observation concerning the need to join additional parties in the event of orders designating assets as notional estate, it may be noted that such of James Liprini’s estate as had been distributed had been distributed either directly to Dr Liprini, or to Anne Liprini, of whose estate Dr Liprini was the executor and sole beneficiary. Dr Liprini was, of course, already a party, in his capacity as executor of the estate of James Liprini. There were no other individuals whose rights would have been affected. There were therefore no other individuals whose joinder would have been necessary, although Dr Liprini’s participation would have involved him in both a personal, and an executorial, capacity.

77. Mr Neal went on to say:

“The effect of a notional estate order would have been that the rights of [Anne Liprini’s] estate, and of [Dr Liprini] to the property designated as notional estate would have been extinguished (s 29 [FPA]) and the plaintiff would instead be entitled to that property. If a notional estate order was made, a Family Provision claim on [Anne Liprini’s] estate would not have been necessary to achieve the agreed outcome.” (italics added)

78. The italicised portion of the answer may not be strictly correct. The effect of a notional estate order would indeed, by s 29 of the FPA, have been to extinguish the rights of whoever held the property the subject of the designation, but would merely have made that property available to satisfy an order for provision for the plaintiff, if he established that he was otherwise entitled. The plaintiff would not necessarily, and certainly would not automatically, have become entitled to the designated property. It would still be necessary that the discretion conferred by s 7 of the FPA be exercised in his favour. It is, however, correct that s 28(2) precluded an order designating as notional estate property in excess of that necessary to allow the making of appropriate provision. Designation of notional estate therefore assumes that a s 7 order will be made, and that the designated property will be available to satisfy the order.

79. I can only read Mr Neal’s report in this respect as declining to offer an opinion that RHS failed to discharge their duty to the plaintiff by failing to commence proceedings prior to the mediation. Certainly it did not rise to the level of an opinion that RHS failed to reach the standard of reasonable care and skill expected of a solicitor advising a client in respect of a claim under the FPA. Nor does it provide the basis for a conclusion to that effect. That was a question Mr Neal did not address.

80. Mr Neal’s report and subsequent oral evidence do, however, appear to be the foundation for the significant change in the plaintiff’s alternative case mentioned above.

81. The remaining questions submitted to Mr Neal concerned the plaintiff’s alternative case, asserting inadequacies in the formulation of the orders. The answers were unhelpful to the plaintiff’s case. Mr Neal again discussed what he saw as the ineffectiveness of the release of his rights purportedly offered by the plaintiff in the notation in clause 4 of the orders. There is nothing in the answer to that question that identifies any failure of RHS in their duty to the plaintiff; if the purported release were indeed ineffective, it was to the detriment of Dr Liprini, and not to the plaintiff. The notation in clause 4 was, apparently, intended to protect Dr Liprini from any subsequent claim by the plaintiff against the estate of Anne Liprini.

82. Mr Neal was also asked to express an opinion concerning the drafting of the orders in such a way that they failed to impose obligations on Dr Liprini in his personal capacity and/or in his capacity as executor of Anne Liprini’s estate. In view of the orders and declarations made by Nicholas J, this was a somewhat curious question to ask Mr Neal. Nicholas J declared that the 6 December 2007 orders both bound the two estates, and also bound Dr Liprini personally. Mr Neal’s answer was:

“Having regard to the extent to which [James Liprini’s] estate had been distributed, which was known at the time of the mediation, the documentation of the outcome ought to have dealt with achieving payment of the agreed outcome, including having a notional estate order made, or [the plaintiff] ought to have been advised of the risks in relation to that agreed outcome being paid, if wording securing that result could not be agreed upon.”

The “risks” to which Mr Neal adverted were not identified.

83. There is in this no expression of opinion that RHS failed to achieve the standard of care required of the reasonable practitioner exercising reasonable care and skill. Nor does it provide any basis for a conclusion to that effect.

84. The same may be said about Mr Neal’s answers to the remaining questions, concerning failure to include a time for payment, and provision for security. With respect to the plaintiff’s case that the agreed orders ought to have specified a time for payment, he said:

“Whether or not a time limit was needed would be part of achieving payment of the agreed amount, although it will be usual in the resolution of a family provision claim mediation resolved on the basis of the payment of a lump sum to stipulate the time for payment and to provide for interest at a rate to be negotiated (usually either the legacy rate pursuant to section 84A of the (then) Wills Probate and Administration Act 1898 or occasionally the Supreme Court judgment rate), if not paid by the agreed time.”

85. With respect to the plaintiff’s claim that RHS ought to have attempted to include a term for security over assets in Anne Liprini’s estate, Mr Neal said:

“Whether or not security was obtained had been a matter of negotiation by a solicitor acting reasonably at the time and, as noted above, if agreement in this respect could not be reached, then [the plaintiff] ought to have been advised of the risks in reaching agreement without the benefit of security or some other arrangement to ensure payment of the agreed outcome.”

86. Absent from Mr Neal’s expressed opinion was any specification of the nature of security that could realistically and, as a matter of practicality, have been achieved in the time available.

87. On behalf of RHS, Ms Pamela Suttor was retained to provide an opinion. The questions she was asked to address varied significantly from those directed to Mr Neal. The first was:

“(a)   Did any failure by [RHS] to commence proceedings against [Anne Liprini’s] estate prevent a compromise of both estates at the mediation on 6 December 2007?”

88. Ms Suttor’s answer was, essentially, in the negative. She added:

“It was reasonable for the competent solicitor when still within time for [Anne Liprini’s] estate to delay filing a Summons depending on the outcome of the mediation.”

89. The second question asked of Ms Suttor concerned the failure of RHS to ensure that the orders provided for security for the payment of the agreed sum. She was specifically asked whether it was “usual practice” to include such a provision. Again, her answer, put shortly, appears to have been in the negative – she then discussed difficulties that such a provision might cause in the “orderly administration” of an estate. The difficulties she mentioned do not arise in either of the Liprini estates.

90. Ms Suttor was asked some questions of dubious relevance concerning the quantification of any provision that the plaintiff might have received had he litigated (this might have been intended to go to the question of any damages to be awarded should the plaintiff be successful in his present claim, although the plaintiff’s pleaded case on damages was expressed as the lost opportunity to recover the whole of the amount agreed). She considered that provision of $750,000 was “at the upper end of the range” that the plaintiff might have achieved. She was also asked questions about the statutory requirement for judicial approval of any release.

91. Ms Suttor was not asked to comment on what was contended on behalf of the plaintiff to have been the negligent formulation of the short minutes of orders.

92. Ms Suttor was then asked to comment on Mr Neal’s report. With respect to the plaintiff’s primary case she agreed that the orders as formulated “do not properly designate notional estate”. She considered, however, that that was overcome by the findings of Nicholas J. She said that in her experience it was reasonable for a competent solicitor when still within time to delay filing a summons pending the outcome of the mediation.

93. She agreed with Mr Neal that the notation in clause 4 was ineffective as a release of the plaintiff’s rights. She agreed that the orders “could have been expressed differently” so as more clearly to impose obligations on Dr Liprini either personally or in his capacity as executor of Anne Liprini’s estate; however, she observed, correctly, that Nicholas J had found that they were effective to bind both estates. She agreed with Mr Neal’s answer concerning the specification of a time for payment and provision for interest.

155. As I have earlier made clear, I do not accept that the orders were not family provision orders carrying the consequences stated by Mr Neal. The orders of Nicholas J suggest otherwise. In addition to the reasons I have given above, two of the orders are, in this respect, significant. By order 3 interest was to be calculated on the basis prescribed by s 84A of the Wills Probate and Administration Act 1898 (NSW), implying that the orders were orders made in the administration of an estate. By order 2, pursuant to UCPR 54.3, Dr Liprini was required to pay the agreed sum to the plaintiff. UCPR 54.3 is a rule specifically concerned with the administration of estates.

156. It is not possible to reach a concluded view on whether the orders made on 6 December, and clarified by Nicholas J, were “family provision orders”. I am not satisfied, however, that designating assets as notional estate was a precaution that ought to have been (or could have been) taken by RHS; nor am I satisfied that, in the absence of agreement by Dr Liprini to such an order, RHS ought to have advised the plaintiff to abandon the mediation and litigate, and that it was negligent not to do so.

157. That raises the final step of the plaintiff’s case in this respect, that he ought to have been warned of the potential consequences of agreeing to terms that did not include a term specifying the time for payment, and the provision for interest in the event of non-compliance. It is a matter for further speculation what the plaintiff would have done in response to such advice.

158. It cannot be overlooked that, by the time the terms were being drafted, and any such discussion might have been undertaken, the plaintiff had left the mediation. Although he was contactable, it may have been difficult for Mr Sommerville to give him the advice it is now claimed he ought to have given, and for the plaintiff to have made a decision whether to accept the settlement or proceed to litigation. In these circumstances, I am unable to reach a conclusion that RHS (or Mr Sommerville) were in breach of their duty to the plaintiff by failing to take the final step for which he now contends.

159. Any such advice would necessarily have included reference to the hazards of litigation, involving those uncertainties and imponderables mentioned by Ms Suttor, the assessment of the plaintiff’s prospects of success given by Mr Lawson and Mr Lawson’s quantification of the provision the plaintiff might have been awarded after litigation. The risk that Dr Liprini might agree to a settlement but default on his agreement was a minor risk against those considerations.

160. The plaintiff’s alternative case fails. The plaintiff has not established breach of RHS’s duty to him in the formulation of the terms of the agreement and the short minutes of order, nor in the advice given to him with respect to those orders.

Causation

168. Given the manner in which the plaintiff’s alternative case was put, the question of causation has some complexity and needs to be addressed in relation to each term of the orders which it is said ought to have been proposed, as well as the alternative precautions postulated in the event that Dr Liprini declined to agree to those terms. Since I have concluded that the plaintiff has failed to establish any breach of duty, I will confine my conclusions on causation to a minimum.

169. I am not satisfied that, but for the omission of any or all of the postulated terms, the plaintiff would have recovered the whole of the agreed settlement amount. I am not satisfied that, but for RHS’s failure to advise him to proceed to litigate in the absence of agreement by Dr Liprini to any or all of those terms, he would have recovered the whole of that amount.

170. For the third tier of the plaintiff’s alternative case to succeed, he would need to establish that, if RHS’s advice of the “risks” (which risks were unidentified) of accepting settlement terms as he did, he would more probably than not have proceeded to litigate, more probably than not have been awarded at least $770,000 and would, more probably than not, have recovered that sum. None of these is established to my satisfaction. In each case, the probabilities point in the opposite direction. The likelihood is that the plaintiff would, in the face of an offer of $770,000, have rejected advice to proceed to litigation and accepted the offer. The evidence showed that he was in a dire financial position and, if not desperate, extremely keen to secure a settlement. What he would have done in consequence of advice to proceed to litigation is a matter of speculation of which the plaintiff would not have been permitted to give self-serving evidence: s 5D(3)(b).

171. Most importantly, even if I were satisfied that the plaintiff would have accepted advice to litigate rather than accept the settlement offered, and had succeeded to the necessary extent in that litigation, far from being satisfied that he would have recovered the sum awarded, I am satisfied that Dr Liprini would have conducted himself exactly as he in fact did, and failed to pay the sum awarded – with consequences that in fact eventuated.

172. The plaintiff has failed to establish any causal connection between the economic loss he claims and any default on the part of RHS.

173. The remaining matters may be dealt with briefly.

Civil Liability Act s 5 O

174. As noted above, RHS invoked s 5 O of the CLA. The terms of s 5 O have been set out above. It is established that s 5 O operates as a defence to defeat a claim in negligence: see Dobler v Halvorsen (2007) 70 NSWLR 151; [2007] NSWCA 335; Paul v Cooke (2013) 85 NSWLR 167; [2013] NSWCA 311 (although Basten JA doubted this proposition in Sparks v Hobson; Gray v Hobson [2018] NSWCA 29 at [17] ff).

175. Even accepting that s 5 O operates as a defence, its construction is not without controversy. In McKenna (supra) Macfarlan JA, with the concurrence of Beazley P, held that the provision is directed to:

“…a practice that is in existence at the relevant time … .”

176. The decision in McKenna was reversed on appeal to the High Court on other grounds and the construction of s 5 O did not arise: Hunter & New England Local Health District v McKenna (2004) 253 CLR 270; [2014] HCA 44. It did arise for consideration in Sparks, but without final resolution. Macfarlan JA adhered to the views he had expressed in McKenna: [209]-[215]. Basten JA took a different view: see [30]-[40]. With reservations about the McKenna construction, I considered myself constrained by principle to follow that construction: see [332] ff. I maintain that view, particularly as I am sitting as a judge at first instance.

177. That means that the issue raised by s 5 O can be readily disposed of. RHS did not adduce any evidence of “a practice” to which they had conformed. If I otherwise found that RHS was in breach of its duty of care to the plaintiff, in either of the respects alleged, s 5 O would not, as currently interpreted, avail RHS.

178. It would not be otherwise had the views expressed by Basten JA and myself in Sparks prevailed; neither Ms Suttor nor Mr Neal gave evidence that the manner in which RHS acted was widely accepted in Australia by peer professional opinion as competent professional practice. That is not to say that they did not; there simply was no evidence of any acceptance of the conduct as widely accepted in Australia by peer professional opinion as competent professional practice.

179. If I were otherwise satisfied that the plaintiff had proved negligence, I would not uphold a defence under s 5 O of the CLA.

Advocates’ immunity

180. RHS pleaded the defence available to legal practitioners by reason of what is known as the doctrine of advocates’ immunity. Given the views to which I have come in relation to the plaintiff’s claim, this defence may also be disposed of briefly. It necessarily involves the hypothesis that there was, or might have been, some negligence on the part of RHS.

181. The plaintiff disputed that the doctrine applies. In relation to the primary case he relied on Saif Ali v Sydney Mitchell & Co (a Firm) [1980] AC 198 and MacRae v Stephens [1996] Aust Torts Reports 81-405. Each of these was a case in which a limitation period had been allowed to expire. That is not this case, but that does not mean that some instruction may not be available from those decisions.

182. The most recent exposition of the doctrine of advocates’ immunity is to be found in the joint judgment of French CJ, Keifel, Bell, Gageler and Keane JJ in Attwells v Jackson Lalic Lawyers Pty Ltd (2016) 259 CLR 1; [2016] HCA 16. The foundation of the doctrine lies in the need to protect the finality and certainty of judicial determinations from collateral attack. In order for the work of an advocate to attract the immunity it must have an “intimate connection” with the conduct of the case in court such as to affect its outcome by judicial decision. What is protected is work by the advocate that bears upon the judicial determination of the case: see [46].

183. The majority in the High Court held that the immunity does not extend to acts or advice of the advocate which do not move the litigation towards a determination by a court. Specifically, the immunity does not extend to advice that leads to a settlement agreed between the parties: see [38]-[39].

184. Attwells concerned the settlement of commercial litigation on the day fixed for hearing. The plaintiffs then alleged that they had been given negligent advice by their solicitors with respect to the terms of settlement. The solicitors invoked the doctrine of advocates’ immunity as it was then understood. The majority in the High Court rejected their claims. They concluded:

“[53]   Accordingly, it should be accepted that in the present case there was no occasion for the operation of the immunity in relation to advice which led to the settlement of the guarantee proceedings on terms disadvantageous to the guarantors.”

185. The Court then went on to consider whether the circumstance that the settlement was embodied in court orders was sufficient to attract the immunity, and held that it was not. That was because the terms of the settlement were not the result of the exercise of judicial power: see [59].

186. Attwells was a case in which the parties were entirely free to reach whatever agreement they chose. Once they reached agreement, although the agreement resulted in orders being made by the Court, there was no judicial intervention in the content of the orders.

187. That is not so in relation to orders under the FPA. Counsel for RHS pointed to Bartlett v Coomber [2008] NSW CA 100, in which Mason P, Hodgson JA and Bryson AJA all, in separate judgments, agreed that, in proceedings under the FPA, the Court is required to satisfy itself of the requirements of s 7 and s 9, the latter of which, in subs (2), required the Court to be satisfied of certain criteria before making an order. Their Honours accepted that this extended to an order made by consent. Mason P accepted that the Court had a power to reject a proposed settlement; Hodgson JA essentially agreed, but noted that, by reason of the agreement, the Court would generally be satisfied without the need for any significant investigation. Bryson AJA said:

“[86]    An order for provision always adversely affects property rights in estate assets which somebody would otherwise have. Alterations of property rights of this kind are authorised by law only if the Court makes a decision under s 7; not otherwise.”

188. Counsel for RHS seized upon a reservation acknowledged by the majority in Attwells, stated as follows:

“[61] It may be acknowledged that there are many cases where, although the parties have agreed upon the terms of the order which a court is asked to meet, the making of the order itself requires the resolution of issues by the exercise of judicial power. Examples include where representative proceedings are settled, or where proceedings on behalf of a person under a legal incapacity are to be compromised, or where agreements are made in relation to proceedings under ss 86F and 87A of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth). Other examples include the exercise of the judicial discretion to allow an agreement to amend a patent granted under the Patents Act 1900 (Cth), and the compromise of certain debts under ss 477(2A) and 477(2B) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). It is not necessary to consider such cases here.”

Notably, notwithstanding the number and variety of examples given by the majority, orders under the FPA were not included.

189. RHS argued that, because there is a duty on the Court to satisfy itself of the various criteria set out in s 7 and s 9 of the FPA, such orders come within the reservation expressed. Anticipation of this reliance had given rise to earlier discussion, and some evidence from Ms Suttor and Mr Neal, concerning the role of the Registrar in mediated FPA proceedings.

Conclusion

190. If – as I have found not to be the case – there was any breach of duty on the part of RHS in failing to file proceedings in relation to Anne Liprini’s estate prior to the mediation (ie the plaintiff’s primary case), the doctrine of advocates’ immunity would not protect RHS. The asserted breach is sufficiently removed from the outcome of the proceedings as not to be “intimately connected” with the conduct of the case and the outcome. The closer analogy is with legal practitioners who fail to commence proceedings within a statutory time limit.

191. It is otherwise with respect to the plaintiff’s alternative case. The formulation of the orders had the necessary “intimate connection” with the conduct of the case and the outcome. That is particularly so when regard is had to the role of the Court, constituted by the Registrar, in the making of the orders.

Damages

192. The question of damages may also be disposed of briefly. The plaintiff put his case on the basis of a lost chance of recovering the difference between the $770,000 agreed and the amount he finally recovered from Dr Liprini’s bankrupt estate. He invoked the principle stated in Malec v J C Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638; [1990] HCA 20. He acknowledged that the exercise involves a number of hypotheticals, including what Dr Liprini would have done (differently) at the mediation had proceedings been commenced, what he would have done if the proposed additional orders had been sought at the mediation of the claim, what the plaintiff would have done if he had been given different advice, and what would have occurred by way of enforcement had the orders been framed differently.

193. The salient paragraph in Malec stated the approach to be taken in the assessment of damages on the hypothesis that a particular event did or did not occur. Deane, Gaudron and McHugh JJ said:

“But questions as to the future or hypothetical effect of physical injury or degeneration are not commonly susceptible of scientific demonstration or proof. If the law is to take account of future or hypothetical events in assessing damages, it can only do so in terms of the degree of probability of those events occurring. The probability may be very high – 99.9% - or very low – 0.1%. But unless the chance is so low as to be regarded as speculative – say less than 1% - or so high as to be practically certain – say over 99% - the court will take that chance into account in assessing the damages. Where proof is necessarily unattainable, it would be unfair to treat as certain a prediction which has a 51% probability of occurring, but to ignore altogether a prediction which has a 49% probability of occurring. Thus, the court assesses the degree of probability that an event would have occurred, or might occur, and adjusts its award of damages to reflect the degree of probability. … The approach is the same whether it is alleged that the event would have occurred before or might occur after the assessment of damages takes place.” (internal citations omitted)

194. The event the plaintiff hypothesises is the payment by Dr Liprini to him of the whole of the amount represented by the agreement at the mediation.

195. I am satisfied that, no matter what proceedings had been commenced and no matter what orders had been formulated, Dr Liprini would have acted precisely as he did. That means that there was no chance that the plaintiff would have recovered the entirety of the $770,000.

196. The plaintiff also claimed amounts referable to the litigation in which he became involved in seeking to enforce the settlement, including collateral litigation against Dr Liprini’s trustee in bankruptcy. In my opinion, that was not a consequence of any asserted breach of duty on the part of RHS at or prior to the mediation, but a consequence of Dr Liprini’s intransigence.

Concurrent liability

197. I have indicated above that RHS relied upon the concurrent liability provisions of the CLA to adduce any damages found to be payable to the plaintiff. In the light of the various views expressed above, this question does not arise.

Orders:

198. The orders I make are:

1.   Statement of claim dismissed;

2.    Judgment for the defendants;

3.   Plaintiff to pay the defendants’ costs of the proceedings.

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Decision last updated: 10 April 2019