M K Devereux Limited v Dunedin District Licensing Agency Inspector and Police HC Ak CIV 2009-404-000974

[2010] NZHC 68

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND

DUNEDIN REGISTRY

CIV-2008-412-000974

UNDER  the Sale of Liquor Act 1989

IN THE MATTER OF     a decision of the Liquor Licensing

Authority dated 11 November 2008 in respect of an application for an off-licence

BETWEEN  M K DEVEREUX LIMITED Appellant

ANDDUNEDIN DISTRICT LICENSING AGENCY INSPECTOR

First Respondent

AND  POLICE

Second Respondent

Counsel:         T J Shiels for Appellant

M Couling for First Respondent
R D Smith for Second Respondent

Judgment:      2 February 2010

JUDGMENT OF HON. JUSTICE FRENCH

As to Costs

[1]      In December 2008, the appellant,  M  K  Devereux  Limited,  filed  an  appeal

against a decision of the Liquor Licensing Authority declining its application for an off-licence.

[2]      In   December   2009,   the   appeal   was   discontinued,   the   appellant   having obtained a rehearing from the authority.

[3]      The  appellant  accepts  that  costs  are  payable  to  the  respondents  on  the discontinuance, and that category 2 is the appropriate classification.

M K DEVEREUX LIMITED V DUNEDIN DISTRICT LICENSING AGENCY INSPECTOR AND ANOR HC

DUN CIV-2008-412-000974  2 February 2010

[4]      However, the parties cannot agree on the following issues:

i)whether  band  B  represents  the  time  reasonably  required  for each step; and,

ii)whether   a   scale   calculation   is   necessarily   appropriate   in respect of each step.

[5]      I have carefully considered the submissions made by the various parties.

[6]      In my view, having regard to r 14.5, the appropriate band in respect of each step in the circumstances of this case is band A.

[7]      I  do  not,  however,  agree  that  there  should  be  any  reduction  in  the  scale calculation in respect of any step.

[8]      I   therefore   order   that   costs   be   awarded   to   both   the   first   and   second respondents on the basis of 2A.

[9]      Leave is reserved to the parties to refer the matter back to the Court should there be any dispute regarding calculations under the 2A formula.

Solicitors:

Katie Lane Law, Dunedin Anderson Lloyd, Dunedin Crown Law, Wellington