PQ (a pseudonym) v The Law Society of New South Wales (No 4)

The case of PQ (a pseudonym) v The Law Society of New South Wales (No 4) involved the applicant, PQ, seeking an order that the Law Society produce certain documents. The applicant had raised objections to the production of these documents, relying on sections 467 and 468 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW). The Law Society opposed the application. This dispute was heard in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the applicant's objection to the production of the documents was valid under sections 467 and 468 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW). Additionally, the court had to determine the appropriate application of the general rule of costs, which dictates that costs generally follow the event, and whether this rule applied to the circumstances of this case.

The court found that the applicant's objections were not valid under sections 467 and 468 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW). Consequently, the applicant was ordered to pay the costs of the Law Society. The court emphasised that the applicant, having never been formally served with the proceedings, had no standing as a party to the case. As such, the general rule that costs follow the event applied, resulting in the applicant being liable for the Law Society's costs. The court's decision underscored the importance of formal service and standing in legal proceedings.