Ruralco NZ Limited v Jones

[2025] NZHC 3078

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND CHRISTCHURCH REGISTRY

I TE KŌTI MATUA O AOTEAROA ŌTAUTAHI ROHE

CIV-2025-409-036

[2025] NZHC 3078

BETWEEN

RURALCO NZ LIMITED

Plaintiff

AND

SIMON JOHN SINCLAIR JONES

First Defendant

MELISSA RUTH JONES

Second Defendant

Hearing:

On the papers

Counsel:

J A Higby for Plaintiff

Mr Jones in person for First and Second Defendants

Judgment:

16 October 2025

JUDGMENT OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE PAULSEN (QUANTUM)

This judgment was delivered by me on 16 October 2025 at 11.30 am pursuant to Rule 11.5 of the High Court Rules.

Registrar/Deputy Registrar Date:

RURALCO NZ LIMITED v JONES [2025] NZHC 3078 [16 October 2025]

[1]    In a judgment of 12 September 2025 I entered summary judgment as to liability in favour of the plaintiff against the first and second defendants on an unopposed basis.1 I also directed:2

(a)in respect to quantum, the plaintiff was to file an affidavit confirming the amount owing as at the date of the judgment; and

(b)in respect to costs, the plaintiff was entitled to indemnity costs but was to provide bills of costs and time records supporting the amount claimed.

[2]    I have now received an affidavit of Antony Aitken, the chief executive officer of the plaintiff, who has deposed by reference to statements issued to the principal debtor that the amount owing as at the date of judgment is $427,008.03.

[3]    In respect to costs, I have perused the bills of costs of the plaintiff’s lawyers along with time records supporting them. The amount claimed is entirely reasonable and is very close to the amount that would be recoverable as scale costs under the High Court Rules 2016.

Result

[4]    Judgment is entered in favour of the plaintiff against the defendants in the amount of $427,008.03.

[5]    Interest shall accrue on the judgment sum at the rate sought in the statement of claim under the terms and conditions of the Ruralco Credit Account and s 22 of the Interest on Money Claims Act 2016 from 12 September 2025 to the date of payment.

1      Ruralco NZ Ltd v Jones [2025] NZHC 2652.

2      At [16]–[17].

[6]The plaintiff is awarded indemnity costs and disbursements totalling

$20,434.90, which sum is exclusive of GST.

O G Paulsen Associate Judge

Solicitors:

Tavendale and Partners, Christchurch