Supreme Court Civil
This comprehensive and easy to follow publication provides commentary and precedents for the conduct of Supreme Court proceedings when acting for either a plaintiff or defendant and includes a supplementary enforcement guide, demonstrating the use of precedents guide and 101 subpoena answers reference manual.
From letters of demand and offers of compromise to final hearing, appeals and enforcement, this publication provides focused and practical guidance on procedure and documents and is a must-have for all lawyers acting for clients in the Supreme Court.
Recent updates to this publication can be viewed on Obiter - our News & Updates site.
Popular precedents provided with this guide include:
- Library of letters of demand and example response to letter of demand
- Example offer of compromise and Calderbank offer
- Library of example consent orders
- Example content for seeking injunctive relief
- Example terms of settlement
- Example deeds of release
- Library of events for initiating application
- Example defence
- Example content for substituted service, and amending initiating application
- Example content for interlocutory steps including cross claim, defence to cross claim, summary judgment, summary dismissal, consolidation, security for costs, default judgment, and notice of discontinuance – content for both application and affidavits in support
- Example interrogatories, and content for setting aside subpoenas and notices to produce
- Example letter instructing expert witness and enclosing Expert Witness Code of Conduct
Guides in this publication
MATTER PLAN
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“ Contents Getting the matter underway4 ”
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“ Queensland A full commentary on the law and practice as it currently applies to acting for plaintiffs in the Supreme Court. ”
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“ New South Wales The term ‘subpoena’ is adapted from Latin, but was never a Latin word as such. It has long been an accepted English word. The plural, used in this guide and generally, is therefore ‘subpoenas’, not ‘subpoenae’. ”
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“ This guide deals mainly with subpoenas to produce documents, subpoenas ‘duces tecum’. Much of the law related to subpoenas also applies to subpoenas to give evidence, subpoena ‘ad testificandu’, but there are important, mostly practical, differences. A subpoena can also be both a subpoena to ... ”
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“ See s 3 and the Dictionary of the Evidence Act 1995: “document” means any record of information, and includes: ”
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“ One of the most important things to know about subpoena law is the so called ‘implied undertaking’, also known as the ‘Harman undertaking’, or the ‘Hearne v Street undertaking’. The common law provides that production of and access to documents under subpoena, even without any other court order, ... ”
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“ One needs a good understanding of the law and practice relating to subpoenas to be able to advise and assist clients who receive a subpoena. Such an understanding will then make you far better equipped to draft and issue subpoenas for clients who are parties to litigation. Once you understand and ... ”
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“ Recipients of subpoenas are usually strangers to the court case in which the subpoena is issued. The subpoena comes as a surprise and an unwelcome imposition. Unless they are familiar with litigation, or have received subpoenas before, they will be unlikely to know what to do and may feel angry, ... ”
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“ Unfortunately, given the unwelcome impost that a subpoena constitutes, one of the most common responses for clients who receive a subpoena is to ignore it and hope it goes away. This, of course, almost never works. A subpoena is a court order. It cannot be ignored. Failure to comply with it may ... ”
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“ At the other end of the spectrum, is another inappropriate but very common response to a subpoena, especially a poorly drafted one which calls for ‘All documents about X’, where your client receives the subpoena and immediately brings their life and/or their business to a screaming halt so that ... ”
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“ It is important to read a subpoena carefully when it is received as there is a lot of helpful information on the subpoena itself such as: Out of which court and in what type of proceedings was it issued? For example, is it a criminal, civil or family law case? ”
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“ The majority of subpoenas are not objectionable, or at least perhaps not worth objecting to. A reasonably precise call in a subpoena for a limited number of clearly identifiable and uncontroversial documents, that your client has in their possession or control and that are clearly relevant to the ... ”
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“ Once instructions have been taken and the scope of the subpoena considered, if there are, or may be, any objections they should be communicated to the issuing party. Documents should not be produced until the objection is either resolved or, depending upon the nature of the objection, until ... ”
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“ In criminal cases s 225 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 provides that a person named in a subpoena is not required to produce any document or thing if it is not specified or sufficiently described in the subpoena. This is basically a matter of common sense. If a subpoena does not describe something, ... ”
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“ The threshold issue for production of documents under any subpoena is the requirement that there be a legitimate forensic purpose (LFP) for the documents sought. If there is not, then the subpoena, or the objectionable part of it, will be set aside as an abuse of process. There is extensive ... ”
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“ In criminal cases Alister and Saleam have been applied, and the ‘on the cards’ test approved, in cases such as Attorney General for New South Wales v Dylan Chidgey [2008] NSW CCA 65 and Perish v R; Lawton v R [2015] NSWCCA 237 at [56] – [57]. There is always a difficult balancing act for a court ... ”
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“ The leading civil case is Waind v Hill and National Employers’ Mutual General Association [1978] 1 NSWLR 372 per Moffitt P at 379-382 and was followed in such cases as A v Z [2007] NSWSC 899; ICAP Pty Ltd & Ors v Moebes & Anor [2009] NSWSC 306 and McLaughlin v Dungowan Manly Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC ... ”
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“ In the federal jurisdiction, the requirement for an issuing party to establish LFP is well recognised via such cases as: Re Trade Practices Commission v Arnotts Limited; Arnott’S Biscuits Limited; Fledspac Pty Limited and the Dickens Corporation Pty Limited [1989] FCA 248; ”
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“ Subpoenas in family law cases, even though they are civil cases and the above federal authorities apply, are effectively a different category. In the family law jurisdiction, there are no pleadings as such, merely an Application and a Response, supported by affidavit evidence and almost anything ... ”
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“ Most often the LFP objection will relate to the breadth of the subpoena - the failure to limit the call in the schedule to identifiable and relevant documents only, thereby potentially capturing documents for which there is no LFP. Often a subpoena will be drafted carelessly so as to seek ... ”
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“ A subpoena may be oppressive if it places an undue burden on the producing party to produce documents that do not have sufficient relevance. This is a balancing exercise, intrinsically connected to LFP. Where a subpoena causes unreasonable trouble and expense to your client then an objection is ... ”
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“ Public interest immunity (PII) is a substantive common law privilege and can be claimed by governments over confidential information, the disclosure of which would damage the public interest. It was articulated in Alister v R (“Hilton Bombing case”) [1984] HCA 85 and has frequently been claimed, ... ”
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“ There are numerous pieces of legislation which protect documents from production under subpoena. Mostly, those documents will be held by government departments or agencies. In many of those instances, there is no point issuing a subpoena for such documents as they cannot and will not be produced ... ”
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“ Legal Professional Privilege (LPP) is a complex area. It exists in both common law and by virtue of ss 117-119 Evidence Act 1995 and it depends which jurisdiction you are in as to which iteration applies. Both forms of the privilege apply the dominant purpose test: Esso Australia Resources v ... ”
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“ If the subpoena is pressed over your objection you will need to file a Notice of Motion, or an Application in a case in the federal jurisdiction, asking for an order to set it aside and/or seeking orders that your client be excused from producing any material on an appropriate ground, for example, ... ”
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“ In civil cases Part 33 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 contains the provisions relating to subpoenas. In criminal cases subpoenas are covered in s 220 - 232 Criminal Procedure Act 1986. ”
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“ A subpoena is a tactical tool in litigation, but should be employed as part of the overall strategy. A subpoena allows you to obtain evidence that might support your client’s case. It should be an integral part of the case theory. You should issue a subpoena to obtain documents that are likely to ... ”
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“ In short – not too early, but not too late! As noted above, the subpoenas that need to be issued initially will become evident from your instructions and your formulation of a case theory. Those subpoenas can and should be issued as early as reasonably possible, to start building your case. ... ”
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“ Applying to the court You can issue a subpoena by attending at the registry, or filing online. You should provide the court with sufficient copies to allow for you, the recipient, the court and all parties to the litigation to receive one. A subpoena can be issued out of any registry of the ... ”
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“ Who is the right recipient Subpoenas need to be addressed to a person. ”
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“ Scenario: Your client Vicki Victim is the plaintiff in a civil claim for damages against Peter Puncher for injuries sustained as a result of an assault upon your client, which occurred in the foyer of a branch of the Institutional Bank of Australia, where Mr Puncher has since been convicted by the ... ”
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“ Always check the specific rules for service for the court where you are issuing the subpoena: see the links to court websites in Power to Issue a Subpoena above or Further Information below. Generally, subpoenas require personal service, unless they are directed to police or other public ... ”
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“ An addressee need not comply with the requirements of a subpoena unless conduct money has been handed or tendered to the addressee a reasonable time before the date on which attendance is required. See r 33.6 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 and s 224 Criminal Procedure Act 1986. Conduct money ... ”
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“ In criminal proceedings, only a party to the proceedings can seek or obtain a costs order. A third-party recipient of a subpoena is not a party: s 221 Criminal Procedure Act 1986. This effectively means there are no costs sanctions for a criminal defendant issuing numerous and objectionable, ... ”
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“ A subpoena is a court order requiring production of stated documents to the court. Even if you object, unless the objection is for oppression or relates to a claim of privilege, in which case see Hancock v Rinehart (Privilege) [2016] NSWSC 12 and the discussion of legal professional privilege ... ”
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“ It is common that the recipient does not produce the required documents within the time stipulated in the subpoena. In the event this occurs, the recipient and issuing party should agree on a later date for production. The issuing party should then attend court on the return date and advise the ... ”
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“ As a subpoena is an order of the court, any failure to comply is contempt of court and the non-complying recipient can be dealt with for contempt. Rule 33.12 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provides for this explicitly. The rules also provide for an arrest warrant to issue where non-compliance ... ”
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“ When a subpoena is issued the documents are produced to the court, not to you. This is fundamental and clearly stated on the subpoena. However, it is surprising how often subpoena recipients, especially those who have not had much prior experience with court proceedings, will respond to a subpoena ... ”
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“ It is important to know how access orders are dealt with in different courts. In the Supreme Court, for example, unless any objection is made to the court at the time of production, the access order that will apply is the one noted on the subpoena by the issuing party, otherwise general access ... ”
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“ Queensland Courts online interest calculator Queensland Courts ”
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“ Magistrates Court Civil (QLD) District Court Civil (QLD) ”
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“ This guide will assist practitioners to deal with common civil Supreme Court matters in a straightforward, cost-effective way either by settling it early or, if necessary, by completing the necessary steps to prepare the matter for trial. Unless otherwise stated, all references within this ... ”
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“ Letters of demand are almost always issued prior to commencing proceedings. The exception might be where a potential plaintiff believes there is urgency for some reason, such as the imminent expiry of a limitation period, and proceedings therefore cannot be delayed. Even then, a letter of demand ... ”
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“ The essential difference between an agreement and a deed is that of consideration. An agreement must have consideration moving between the parties. It usually involves a promise made for a promise - for example, I will transfer ownership of this horse to you in return for payment of $1,000. ”
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“ The commentary in the guide makes more than one reference to the costs of conducting proceedings in the Supreme Court and to the need to keep a close watch on costs from the outset. The expression ‘it can all be about costs’ is discussed in the commentary on Costs at Going to court and it is a ... ”
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“ Practitioners also have a duty to advise the client of the availability of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Further, the court in some matters will actually require that some form of alternative dispute resolution - mediation, usually - has taken place before it will set down trial dates. ”
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“ Practitioners should remember that offers of compromise are relevant to the exercise of discretion of costs at the conclusion of any proceedings. There is a distinct advantage in making a formal offer of compromise under the rules when the court asks to hear the parties as to costs at the ... ”
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“ The rules provide a formal mechanism for settling all or part of a claim which can be utilised by either a plaintiff or a defendant. Different rules apply to an offer made by a plaintiff (rule 360) and an offer made by a defendant (rule 361) and different costs consequences flow. The ordinary ... ”
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“ A Calderbank offer may, in the exercise of the court’s discretion, be admissible on an argument in relation to the costs of the proceedings. A Calderbank offer is usually made in a letter from one party to another wherein the ability to tender the letter with respect to the question of costs is ... ”
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“ Alternative dispute resolution processes are covered within Chapter 9 Part 4 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 and Part 6 Civil Proceedings Act 2011 (Qld). It may be necessary at some point to have a matter referred for mediation or case appraisal. As a general rule, a matter will be more ... ”
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“ When is mediation appropriate? Where there is a history of co-operation between parties. ”
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“ Arbitration is a system of determining disputes by a private tribunal constituted for that purpose by the agreement of the disputants. This is a common process for larger commercial disputes in the building, employment and engineering industry, and experts are appointed to act as arbitrators. ”
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“ When the parties settle after proceedings have been commenced enter into consent orders to dispose of the proceedings. Ensure the orders are precise as to what the settlement is, including time stipulations for payment of money, and contain the necessary orders in relation to the disposal of the ... ”
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“ See rule 98 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999. Where the plaintiff is a person under a legal incapacity, whether by reason of age or otherwise, any settlement must be approved by the court. Approval is not automatic and the solicitor or barrister appearing on the approval application should be ... ”
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“ Undertakings are formal promises to the court and are treated in as binding a sense as an order of the court. Effectively, they bind the undertaker in a certain manner - to do and not do certain things. If an application for approval is either refused or not ready to proceed, the action will be ... ”
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“ File the correct originating process and the number of copies necessary to serve each defendant plus one copy to be retained on the file in the registry of the court with the correct filing fee. Once you have sealed copies, arrange for service on the defendants. See Service below. ”
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“ See rule 22. Under rule 9, a proceeding must be started by claim unless the rules require or permit the proceeding to be started by application. ”
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“ Under rule 10 a proceeding must be started by application if an Act or the rules require or permit a person to apply to a court for an order or another kind of relief and— (a) the Act or rules do not state the type of originating process to be used; or ”
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“ Note that if proceedings are incorrectly started - for example, you start a proceeding via a claim but it should be via an application - the court has the power to order that a proceeding can continue as if started correctly. See rules 13 and 14. The formal requirements for pleadings are ... ”
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“ Rule 159 requires details of interest applied for to be included in the pleadings, namely: the rate of interest and the method of calculation; ”
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“ See the rules at Chapter 6 Part 2 and Part 3. The Supreme Court is a court of strict pleading. All pleadings must comply with the rules. If they do not comply with the rules, there may be an application to strike the proceedings out. ”
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“ See Chapter 4 rules 100 to 133. The many circumstances that may apply to service are covered in this chapter starting at rule 100. ”
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“ As per rule 24: (1) A claim remains in force for one year starting on the day it is filed. ”
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“ Rule 116 states that, if you are seeking substituted service because you cannot serve the defendants or cross-defendants, applications are made to the court. Any application for substituted service must be supported by an affidavit setting out all of the steps taken to effect service and a minute ... ”
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“ The defendant must file a notice of intention to defend within 28 days of service as per rule 137. Filing must occur in the registry from which the claim was issued, even if there is a dispute about the correct jurisdiction of the matter. See rule 141. If the 28-day deadline is missed then the ... ”
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“ The defence, aside from complying with rule 146, must essentially contain the defendant’s response to the allegations made by the plaintiff as set out in the statement of claim. As such it is critical, as mandated very clearly in the rules, that the Defendant has responded to each and every ... ”
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“ See Chapter 6 Part 5 Division 2. A counterclaim may be made in relation to a cause of action arising after the issue of the claim. See rule 176. ”
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“ The third party procedure allows all issues to be tried in one set of proceedings to which all interested persons are parties. The practical result is that the third party will be bound by the result as between the plaintiff and defendant, which may preclude the necessity for separate proceedings ... ”
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“ As per rule 164: (1) Unless the court orders otherwise, any answer to counterclaim must be filed and served within - ”
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“ Where the statement of claim or any counterclaim does not plead all material facts founding the cause of action, it is open to the defendant to request further and better particulars. A request for further and better particulars should not be a request that the other side tell you what their ... ”
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“ These rules are found in Chapter 10 Part 3. The court has a very wide power under rule 375 to allow amendments to various documents involved in proceedings at any stage during the proceeding. ”
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“ Rule 382 states: (1) All amendments must be distinguished so as to be identifiable from the remainder of the document. ”
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“ A further instance of amendment relates to commencing proceedings against a business name. Rule 92 states: (1) This rule applies if - ”
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“ Under rule 169: The pleadings in a proceeding close - ”
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“ The overriding obligations of the parties are contained in rule 5 of the UCPR as follows: (1) The purpose of these rules is to facilitate the just and expeditious resolution of the real issues in civil proceedings at a minimum of expense. ”
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“ Practice in the Supreme Court is conducted under: Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) (UCPR); ”
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“ All proceedings in the court are subject to case management by registrars and judges of the court. The court may give directions and a party may seek directions at any time as per r 366. ”
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“ The court issues practice directions relating to conduct of business in the court. The court’s practice directions set out the varying case management procedures in the court’s lists. ”
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“ See Chapter 2 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999. A proceeding must be started by claim unless the rules require or permit the proceeding to be started by application. ”
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“ At the outset ensure no limitation period has expired that may be relevant to bringing or defending the claim. Diarise all applicable dates, particularly the date the cause of action arose, the date for service of the claim and statement of claim, and the expiry of the periods for all other ... ”
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“ The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 make various stipulations as to time. Time stipulations are important in relation to service of any process and any necessary applications for leave. Always be aware of them. Section 38 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1954 (Qld) concerns the reckoning of time ... ”
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“ If you are out of time, the court has discretion to order the extension or abridgement of time under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999. Any extension will usually be on terms that the party seeking the extension suffer an order for costs and is done by way of application under rule 26. ... ”
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“ Rule 389 deals with continuation of proceedings after delay: (1) If no step has been taken in a proceeding for 1 year from the time the last step was taken, a party who wants to proceed must, before taking any step in the proceeding, give a month's notice to every other party of the party's ... ”
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“ See the rules at Chapter 3. Each person whose presence is necessary to enable the court to adjudicate effectually and completely on all matters in dispute in a proceeding must be included as a party to the proceeding. See rule 62. ”
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“ The number of litigants in person in the courts is increasing with consequent problems as to how to deal with them in relation to both interlocutory processes and at trial. The court attempts to strike a balance between allowing a lay litigant in person some latitude in presenting their case and ... ”
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“ If necessary, brief counsel, particularly for contested matters. Make sure written instructions are provided to counsel prior to sending them the brief. These should specifically detail the dispute and what they are being asked to do. Timeframes and costs should also be specified. ”
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“ See Chapter 8 Part 2 of the rules and s 9 Civil Proceedings Act 2011 (Qld). Injunctions are discretionary and made to preserve the property the subject of proceedings, hence the term ‘interim preservation of property’. ”
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“ A party might not submit to the jurisdiction of the court because, for example, a contract contains an exclusive jurisdiction clause or for arbitration to be conducted in another jurisdiction or forum. In such a case, a party may seek to have the originating process set aside by filing a ... ”
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“ Any interlocutory or other application is an application during the preparation of the matter for hearing for an order or a judgment. They are like mini trials conducted before the final hearing after filing of applications and affidavits. They can be about a variety of issues including, but not ... ”
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“ See Chapter 9 and rules 283-290 in particular. Practitioners should be aware that different rules apply according to the nature of the claim. For instance, in a liquidated claim judgment is entered for the amount of the debt plus interest and costs. See rule 283. Judgment may also be entered for ... ”
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“ Where the client has failed to file a defence within 28 days, the plaintiff may have entered default judgment. The court can exercise its discretion to set aside default judgment as per rule 290. ”
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“ Rule 284 states: (1)This rule applies if the plaintiff's claim against the defendant in default is for unliquidated damages, with or without another claim. ”
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“ Summary judgment is available to a plaintiff or a defendant in circumstances where the court is satisfied that the other party has no real prospect of successfully defending/prosecuting, as the case may be, a claim or a part of their claim and that there is no need of a trial of the claim or part ... ”
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“ See Chapter 9 Part 3 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules. A party who represents another person in a proceeding may discontinue or withdraw only with the court's leave. ”
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“ See rule 78, specifically: The court may order that 2 or more proceedings be consolidated if: ”
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“ If the pleading does not comply with the rules it may be embarrassing and liable to be struck out. When served with an originating process carefully consider the facts pleaded as to whether or not the elements of the cause of action are properly pleaded. This is a difficult area but you must take ... ”
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“ Under rule 300 if the court gives judgment against a party and that party has a counterclaim against the party obtaining the judgment, the court may stay enforcement of the judgment until determination of the counterclaim. This stay can be ordered for the time and on the terms it considers ... ”
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“ See Chapter 7 Part 1 Division 2. Interrogatories are questions administered in writing to another party that must be answered and verified by affidavit. The affidavit is then tendered in evidence. Interrogatories are therefore questions relating to the evidence, which is a distinct concept from ... ”
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“ See Chapter 7 Part 1. Duty of disclosure is expressed in rule 211 : ”
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“ See the rules at Chapter 11 Part 7. Affidavits are evidence in writing usually ordered by the court to minimise the time spent at hearing in leading oral evidence or in particular circumstances such as expert evidence. ”
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“ Bulky affidavits with voluminous annexures are difficult for the parties and Bench to handle at trial, so the appropriate procedure is to make bulky documents exhibits. The old 50-page rule is a good guide as to when documents should be annexures or exhibits. If the entire affidavit is over 50 ... ”
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“ As per rule 437: Unless the court gives leave, an affidavit may be used in a proceeding only if it has been filed. ”
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“ Under Chapter 11 Part 8, this is applicable to requests for further and better particulars, directions or failure to comply with the rules or an order made. Application of Chapter 11, Part 8 ”
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“ See Chapter 11 Part 5 and Practice Direction 2 of 2005. Practitioners should note that the overriding duty of the expert is to assist the court- this overrides any duty the expert might have to the party who has hired them: r 426. ”
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“ The Supreme Court requires parties to issue subpoenas as early as possible so documents can be produced and inspected well before hearing and are available for the proper preparation of the case, including submission to experts. A return date will be fixed at the pre-trial conference if the ... ”
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“ See Chapter 11 Part 4. Subpoenas are issued to third parties pursuant to rule 414. Witnesses are usually subpoenaed to attend at the trial. There is no necessity to issue subpoenas to parties. The correct procedure is to seek disclosure under rule 211 then if required for trial by notice to ... ”
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“ Rule 189 states: (1) A party to a proceeding (the first party) may, by notice served on another party ask the other party to admit, for the proceeding only, the facts or documents specified in the notice. ”
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“ If 180 days after a notice of intention to defend has been filed no request for trial date has been filed then the listings judge will list the matter for mention to ‘manage’ the matter. At that time the court will make directions as to the preparation and further conduct of the matter. The usual ... ”
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“ The practice direction which regulates setting a trial date in Brisbane is Practice Direction 9 of 2010. Practitioners should be familiar with this. Practitioners should be aware that matters started by claim are set down for trial by parties executing a Request for Trial Date (form 48). ... ”
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“ Working copies of all medical reports, the chronology and all other documents which any party proposes to tender should be available for the trial judge. ”
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“ The rules provide for payment of costs by any party in default of an order to attend for the purpose of giving evidence, for the production of any document or thing, to answer a charge of contempt or for any other purpose, if the person fails to attend in accordance with the order. Corporations ... ”
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“ An agreed list of exhibits is a list of the documents the parties intend to rely upon at the hearing. The list will include annexures and exhibits to affidavits and further relevant documents that may have been discovered or produced on subpoena. The plaintiff should serve a list on the ... ”
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“ The court will only grant adjournment applications where there are very good reasons. This is because parties should not ask the court to fix cases for trial unless they are ready for trial. Legal practitioners must ascertain the availability of the parties and their witnesses before taking a date ... ”
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“ The trial is convened before a judge – and a jury in some matters. If a jury is present, the procedure in Practice Direction 1 of 2002 is applicable. Practitioners should be aware that under rule 483 the court may make an order that a question in issue be tried separately at any stage prior to, ... ”
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“ Chapter 17A of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules deals largely with costs. The general rule is that costs follow the event. However they are still in the discretion of the court. This means the court has power to determine by whom, to whom and to what extent costs are to be paid, and whether ... ”
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“ Appeals to the Court of Appeal are covered extensively by Practice Direction 3 of 2013. Practitioners need to be familiar with this practice direction as non-compliance can result in the appeal being dismissed. At the outset it must be considered whether the appeal should be conducted ... ”
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“ The time for filing the appeal is within 28 days after the date of the decision appealed from. See rule 748. It is very important to lodge the appeal within this time frame. Failure to do so will require an application for extension of time to appeal. There must be good reason then for failing to ... ”
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