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\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE COOK ISLANDS
\par HELD AT RAROTONGA}{\b\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid8525310 
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\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid8525310 BETWEEN
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 THE RAROTONGAN BEACH RESORT & SPA LIMITED
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Appellant}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 AND}{\fs24\insrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 TERI TEPA, IAN FORBES }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid12473635 and }{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 MOEHAU IRVING
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 First respondents}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 AND}{\fs24\insrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT SERVICE
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Second respondent}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
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\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 ISLAND ENVIRONMENT AUTHORITY FOR RAROTONGA
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Third respondent}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12674943 {\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Coram:}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  Barker JA (Presiding)
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Fisher JA}{\fs24\insrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Grice JA}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Hearing}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 :}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 8 July 2009}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid14435230\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Counsel}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 :}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 P David}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 I Hikaka}{\fs24\insrsid14435230  }{
\fs24\insrsid8525310  for appellants
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 C Little}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Mr S Hood for respondent}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid14435230\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid14435230 Judgment:}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 10 July 2009}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT
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\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Introduction
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
\par Chief Justice awarded the first respondents costs of $58,380.03. Of that sum he directed the appellant to pay $11,676. From that decision the appellant appeals. The second and third respondents abide the decision of the Court.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 The costs order
\par }{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [2]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Following judgment at first instance, as modified on appeal, the Chief Justice awarded the first respondent costs of $58,380.03 made up as follows:}{
\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 
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\clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth1653\clshdrawnil \cellx4682\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 66% of legal costs\cell 
$33,039.92\cell }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 \trowd \irow0\irowband0\ts11\trrh-451\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone 
\clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2309\clshdrawnil \cellx3029\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth1653\clshdrawnil \cellx4682\row 
}\trowd \irow1\irowband1\ts11\trrh-533\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2309\clshdrawnil \cellx3029\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone 
\clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth1653\clshdrawnil \cellx4682\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 VAT\cell $4,129.99\cell 
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 \trowd \irow1\irowband1\ts11\trrh-533\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone 
\clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2309\clshdrawnil \cellx3029\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth1653\clshdrawnil \cellx4682\row 
}\trowd \irow2\irowband2\ts11\trrh-540\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2309\clshdrawnil \cellx3029\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone 
\clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth1653\clshdrawnil \cellx4682\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Disbursements\cell 
$2,035.00\cell }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 \trowd \irow2\irowband2\ts11\trrh-540\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl
\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2309\clshdrawnil \cellx3029\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth1653\clshdrawnil \cellx4682\row 
}\trowd \irow3\irowband3\lastrow \ts11\trrh-471\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 \clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2309\clshdrawnil \cellx3029\clvertalc\clbrdrt
\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth1653\clshdrawnil \cellx4682\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
66% of expert fees\cell $19,174.32\cell }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 \trowd \irow3\irowband3\lastrow \ts11\trrh-471\trleft720\trftsWidth1\trftsWidthB3\trftsWidthA3 
\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2309\clshdrawnil \cellx3029\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone 
\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth1653\clshdrawnil \cellx4682\row }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
\par [3]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Of the total, he ordered the appellant to pay 20%, namely $11,676.00 }{\fs24\insrsid5526634 
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid5526634 The appeal
\par }{\fs24\insrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [4]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
An award of costs is the exercise of a judicial discretion. On appeal, the court will not interfere unless the court at first instance acted on a wrong principle, failed
 to take into account a relevant consideration, took account of an irrelevant consideration, or was plainly wrong. We are not persuaded that any different approach is called for in the Cook Islands notwithstanding the New Zealand Supreme Court decision of
 }{\i\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 Austin Nichols v Stichting}{\i\fs24\insrsid5526634  }{\i\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 Lodestar}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310  [2007] NZSC 103.
\par }{\fs24\insrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [5]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
The discretion over the incidence and amount of costs is based upon a wide range of diverse considerations which the court at first instance is peculiarly well placed to assess. Consequently appella
te courts are particularly slow to interfere with costs orders in the absence of clear reasons for doing so.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [6]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 In the present case Mr David sought to rest the appeal on three suggested errors of principle:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15555856 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [a]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Treatment of the evidence of the first respondents}{
\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 '}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310  witness Mr D}{\fs24\insrsid5526634 o}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 rrell as expert evidence warranting expert fees}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15555856 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [b]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
The award of costs against a private individual seeking to support the award of a public authority}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15555856 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [c]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
Failure to take into account the manner in which the first respondent had conducted its case}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [7]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 We deal with those in turn.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15555856 {\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 (a) Fees of Don Dorrell
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [8]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 In the presentation of its case the first respondent relied in part upon the evidence of Don Dorrell. Don D}{\fs24\insrsid5526634 orrell was an a}{
\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 dviser on coastal management. He swore four affidavits which annexed extensive plans, reports and photographs. The first respondent paid him $29,052 for his professional services.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [9]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Mr David submitted that no fees allowance should be made on an expert basis because Mr D}{\fs24\insrsid5526634 o}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
rrell was not an expert. We accept that he had no formal qualifications. However he had been accepted as an expert in coa
stal management in the Cook Islands for many years. Further, in Cook Islands litigation it may not always be practicable or economic to procure the level of expertise available in larger countries like New Zealand. The Chief Justice expressly stated that 
he found Mr Dorrell}{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 '}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 s evidence useful.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [10]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 Mr David also submitted that in advocating the first respondents}{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 '}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
 cause, Mr Dorrell lacked impartiality and went outside the area of his expertise. We agree. Parts of his affidavits should not have been filed. Ho
wever the Chief Justice expressly stated that he would ignore the invective and concentrate on the primary facts.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [I1]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 We note also that only 66% of Mr Dorrell}{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 '}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
s fees were awarded. This more than accommodates any reservations there might have been over expert fees. This ground of appeal is rejected.
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15555856 {\b\fs24\insrsid15555856 (b) Private individual s}{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 upporting public authority
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8525310 {\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [12]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
Mr David submitted that as his client was merely acting in good faith to support public authority decisions it should not have been burdened with costs.
 He supported this submission by reference to ancient English authority with respect to orders for mandamus.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [13]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 The general rule is that costs follow the event. Those who fail after actively arguing a case in court will normally be required- to contribu
te to the costs of the successful party.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [14]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
As the Chief Justice pointed out, in the present case the appellant actively supported the submissions of the Service and the Authority and in addition, quite separately from them, strongly argued that there w
as no proper basis for relief and that relief should be refused in the Court}{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 '}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 s discretion.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [15]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 We see no reason to interfere with the Chief Justice}{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 '}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
s approach. This ground of appeal is rejected.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 (c) Manner in which first respondent conducted its case
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [16]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
Mr David submitted that the first respondent ran the case in a manner that unnecessarily increased costs and that the Chief Justice erred in not taking this into account when making his award. Under this heading Mr David referred to four changes of pl
eading, failure to join the appellant in the proceeding at the outset, and the pursuit of many causes of action which did not ultimately succeed.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [17]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 We are informed that these matters were advanced before the Chief Justice. He concluded that taking into account the appellant}{
\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 '}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 s active role in the proceedings and "all other relevant circumstances" the appellant should pay 20% of the first respondents}{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 '}{
\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310  costs. The first respondents will not be receiving a full indemnity for costs.
\par 
\par [18]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 We are not persuaded that on this or the other grounds we should interfere with the Chief Justice}{\fs24\insrsid8525310\charrsid8525310 '}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 s award.}{
\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\b\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid15555856 Re}{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 su}{\b\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid15555856 l}{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 t
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 [19]}{\fs24\insrsid8525310  }{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 The appeal is dismissed with costs to the first respondents in the sum of $2000 plus reasonable travel and accommodation expenses to be
 fixed by the Registrar.}{\fs24\insrsid883412 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid8525310 
\par }{\fs24\insrsid15555856 SIGNED this 10}{\fs24\super\insrsid15555856\charrsid15555856 th}{\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310  day of July 2009
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15079697 {\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 Barker JA}{\b\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid15555856 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15079697 {\fs24\insrsid15555856 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15079697 {\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 Fisher JA
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15079697 {\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid8525310 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15079697 {\b\fs24\insrsid15555856\charrsid15555856 Grice JA}{\b\fs24\insrsid883412\charrsid15555856 
\par }}