Qin v He

The appeal concerned a dispute between Qin and He, originating from a costs assessment. The matter came before the Court of Appeal of New South Wales following a determination by the District Court of an appeal from a costs review panel.

The central legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether a right of appeal existed from the District Court's determination of an appeal concerning a costs assessment to the Supreme Court. This question hinged on the interpretation of the *District Court Act 1973* (NSW) and whether the District Court's decision involved a question of principle.

Meagher JA held that the *District Court Act 1973* (NSW) did not confer a right of appeal to the Supreme Court from a decision of the District Court in its appellate jurisdiction concerning a costs assessment, unless a question of principle was involved. As no such question of principle was identified in this instance, the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

Consequently, the notice of appeal filed on 12 August 2020 was dismissed.