Avonside Holdings Limited v Southern Response Earthquake Services Limited [2014] NZCA 225 (4 June 2014)

Last Updated: 10 June 2014

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF NEW ZEALAND
CA520/2013 [2014] NZCA 225
BETWEEN	AVONSIDE HOLDINGS LIMITED Applicant
AND	SOUTHERN RESPONSE EARTHQUAKE SERVICES LIMITED Respondent

Court:	Ellen France, Harrison and White JJ
Counsel:	N Campbell QC for Applicant S E Waggott for Respondent
Judgment: (On the papers)	4 June 2014 at 3 pm

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

1. The application for an extension of time is granted.
2. The notice of abandonment issued by the Deputy Registrar on 11 November 2013 is set aside.

100. The time for the applicant to apply for a fixture is extended to 20 June 2014.

____________________________________________________________________

REASONS OF THE COURT

(Given by Harrison J)

[1] On 5 August 2013 the applicant, Avonside Holdings Ltd, filed an appeal against a judgment delivered by MacKenzie J in the High Court on 11 July 2013.^[1] The three month period for applying for a hearing date and filing the case on appeal expired on 5 November 2013 without Avonside taking either of those steps. On 11 November 2013 this Court gave notice of abandonment of the appeal.^[2]
[2] On 20 November 2013 Avonside applied for an extension of time to file its case on appeal and apply for a fixture. By reason of an administrative oversight in the Registry, the application was not drawn to the Court’s attention until recently. The respondent, Southern Response Earthquake Services Ltd, does not consent to or oppose the application.
[3] Avonside in fact filed its case on appeal on 28 November 2013, and Southern takes no objection to its contents.
[4] In support of the application, Avonside relies on the facts that the length of the delay was only 15 days, there was no prejudice to Southern, the case on appeal has now been filed and it has always intended to pursue the appeal.
[5] In these circumstances, in particular that the period of delay was short and the case on appeal has now been filed, we grant Avonside’s application for an extension of time. The notice of abandonment issued by the Deputy Registrar on 11 November 2013 is set aside. The case on appeal is treated as having been filed in accordance with the rules. The time for Avonside to apply for a fixture is extended to 20 June 2014.

Solicitors:
Grant Shand, Christchurch for Applicant
Wynn Williams, Christchurch for Respondent

---

^[1] Avonside Holdings Ltd v Southern Response Earthquake Services Ltd [2013] NZHC 1433.

^[2] Pursuant to rule 43 of the Court of Appeal (Civil) Rules 2005.