Sims v Suda Ltd

Case [2015] FCA 280


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Sims v Suda Ltd [2015] FCA 280

Citation: Sims v Suda Ltd [2015] FCA 280
Parties: DOUGLAS ARTHUR SIMS v SUDA LTD
File number: WAD 255 of 2014
Judge: GILMOUR J
Date of judgment: 3 February 2015
Date of hearing: 3 February 2015
Place: Perth
Division: GENERAL DIVISION
Category: No Catchwords
Number of paragraphs: 2
Counsel for the Applicant: The applicant appeared in person
Counsel for the Respondent: Mr NC Ebbs
Solicitor for the Respondent: Bennett & Co

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

WAD 255 of 2014

BETWEEN:

DOUGLAS ARTHUR SIMS
Applicant

AND:

SUDA LTD (ACN 090 987 250)
Respondent

JUDGE:

GILMOUR J

DATE OF ORDER:

3 FEBRUARY 2015

WHERE MADE:

PERTH

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.The applicant’s interlocutory application for leave to file a substituted statement of claim is dismissed. 

Note:    Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

WAD 255 of 2014

BETWEEN:

DOUGLAS ARTHUR SIMS
Applicant

AND:

SUDA LTD (ACN 090 987 250)
Respondent

JUDGE:

GILMOUR J

DATE:

3 FEBRUARY 2015

PLACE:

PERTH

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. The applicant’s interlocutory application for leave to file a substituted statement of claim is dismissed.  So far as concerns the other orders which he seeks, that application will be adjourned to a date to be fixed for hearing.  I have listened carefully.  I have considered his affidavit made on 2 February 2015 filed yesterday in support of the application.  It does not disclose, in any sensible or comprehensible manner, the proposed content of any substituted statement of claim. 

  2. I have also heard Mr Sims attempt to explain what it is that he wishes to do.  Nothing that he has told me from the bar table this morning elucidates that issue.  This matter has been on foot for a considerable amount of time.  He has had since 12 September 2014, or thereabouts to consider his position when the respondent’s interlocutory application seeking to strike out his statement of claim was filed.  Only yesterday has he taken the steps in response.  I take into account that he was hospitalised in late December 2014, and again on or about 11 January this year.  However, neither of those matters explains the delay between the date upon which the respondent filed its application to strike out his statement of claim and the time at which he was first admitted to hospital. 

I certify that the preceding two (2) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Gilmour.

Associate: 

Dated:        27 March 2015

Details
AGLC
Sims v Suda Ltd [2015] FCA 280
Case
[2015] FCA 280
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Sims brought an action against Suda Ltd, seeking damages for alleged breaches of contract. The Federal Court was called upon to determine whether Sims should be granted leave to file a substituted statement of claim, which would have replaced the original statement of claim. The primary legal issue before the court was whether the new evidence and claims presented in the proposed substituted statement of claim warranted granting leave under the relevant procedural rules.

The court considered the principles surrounding the granting of leave to amend pleadings. It noted that such leave should be granted freely, but not if the amendment would cause prejudice to the opposing party or if it was an abuse of process. The court concluded that allowing the new statement of claim would significantly prejudice Suda Ltd, as it would effectively allow Sims to relitigate the case with new claims and evidence. The proposed amendments were not merely incremental changes but represented a substantial departure from the original case. The court further found that the new claims were an abuse of the court process, as they had not been disclosed earlier in the proceedings despite Sims having had the opportunity to do so.

Consequently, the court dismissed Sims’s application for leave to file a substituted statement of claim. The court emphasised the importance of adhering to procedural fairness and timeliness in the presentation of claims and evidence. The orders were entered in accordance with Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. The applicant’s interlocutory application for leave to file a substituted statement of claim is dismissed.

Note: Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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