Piscioneri v Reardon

[2016] ACTCA 33

SUPREME COURT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
COURT OF APPEAL

Case Title:

Piscioneri v Reardon

Citation:

[2016] ACTCA 33

HearingDate:

Determined on the papers

Decision Date:

10 August 2016

ReasonsDate:

10 August 2016

Before:

Murrell CJ

Decision:

Applications dismissed.  Applicant to pay the respondent’s costs.

Catchwords:

APPEALS – LEAVE TO APPEAL – Jurisdiction, practice and procedure – whether decision is final or interlocutory – where leave to appeal required – appeal out of time – leave not granted

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – POSTPONEMENT OF BAR – Defamation cases – ss 21B, 33 Limitation Act 1985 (ACT) – where identity concealed – operation of provisions

Legislation Cited:

Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) s 55

Limitation Act 1985 (ACT) ss 21B, 33

Supreme Court Act 1933 (ACT) s 37E, 37J

Court Procedure Rules 2006 (ACT) r 5312

Cases Cited:

Arrow International Australia Ltd v Group Konstrukt Pty Ltd (2012) 7 ACTLR 48

Bienstein v Bienstein (2003) 195 ALR 225
Brisciani v Piscioneri (No 4) [2016] ACTCA 32
Capital Property Projects (ACT) Pty Ltd and Anor v Planning and Land Authority (ACT) [2008] 2 ACTLR 44
Carr v FinanceCorporation of Australia Ltd (1981) 147 CLR 246
Commonwealth of Australia v Mewett (1997) 191 CLR 471
Florida Investments Pty Ltd v Milstern (Holdings) Pty Ltd [1972] WAR 148
Gallo v Dawson (1990) 64 ALJR 458
Hall v Nominal Defendant (1966) 117 CLR 423
Hodgson v Dimbola Pty Limited t/as Towers Removals [2010] ACTCA 22
McColley v Commonwealth of Australia [2014] ACTCA 21
Piscioneri v Reardon [2015] ACTSC 61

Quach v Health Care Complaints Commission (No 2) [2015] NSWCA 311

Texts Cited:

David Price, Gordon McGrath and Ian Davidson, Limitation of Actions Handbook - New South Wales (Butterworths, 1998)

Parties:

Gabriella Jean Piscioneri (Applicant)

Marek Janusz Michael Reardon (Respondent)

Representation:

Counsel

Determined on the papers

Solicitors

Self-represented (Applicant)

Eaton Lawyers (Respondent)

File Number:

ACTCA 45 of 2015

Decision under appeal: 

Court/Tribunal:             Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory

Before:  Refshauge J

Date of Decision:         28 October 2014

Case Title:  Piscioneri v Reardon

Citation: [2015] ACTSC 61

MURRELL CJ:

Introduction

1. On 28 October 2014, Refshauge J (the primary judge) dismissed the applicant’s application under s 33 of the Limitation Act1985 (ACT) (Limitation Act) to extend the time within which to bring defamation proceedings against the respondent. The primary judge held that, if the requirements of s 33 were satisfied, then the relevant limitation bar was postponed by statutory operation. However, s 33 did not empower a court to extend a limitation period.

1. Section 33 applies to all causes of action. Among other things, it provides that, where the identity of a prospective defendant is “deliberately concealed”, the limitation period is suspended until the prospective plaintiff “first discovers or may with reasonable diligence discover” the concealment.

1. Pursuant to s 21B(1) of the Limitation Act, a one-year limitation period applies to defamation actions, but under s 21B(2) a court must extend that period to a period of up to three years if…