Expectation Pty Ltd v PRD Realty Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 189

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Expectation Pty Ltd v PRD Realty Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 189

COURTS AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM – appeal – judgment at first instance delivered 22 months after appellant's witnesses gave evidence – judgment reserved for 17 months –excessive delay – duty of trial judge in those circumstances to give more comprehensive reasons – obligation to show that delay had not affected decision – appellate court required to take delay into account when reviewing findings – primary judge's reasons inadequate in several material respects – no findings in relation to alternative causes of action – re-trial ordered. Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 82, 87 Fair Trading Act 1989 (Qld) ss 99, 100

Fox v Percy (2003) 197 ALR 201 applied Boodhoo v Attorney-General of Trinidad and Tobago [2004] 1 WLR 1689 referred to State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (in liq) (1999) 73 ALJR 306 referred to Bartlem Pty Ltd Cox Industries (Australia) Pty Ltd [2002] FCAFC 224 referred to Hadid v Redpath [2001] NSWCA 416 applied R v Maxwell (unreported, New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal, Spigelman CJ, Sperling and Hidden JJ, 23 December 1998) applied Mount Lawley Pty Ltd v Western Australian Planning Commission [2004] WASCA 149 referred to NAIS v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2004] FCAFC 1 referred to Goose v Wilson Sandford & Co (unreported, England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division), Gibson, Brooke, Mummery LJ, 13 February 1998) applied Eckersley v Binnie (1988) 18 ConLR 1 applied Flannery v Halifax Estate Agencies Ltd [2000] 1 WLR 377 applied Customs and Excise Commissioner v A [2003] 2 All ER 736 referred to Digi-Tech (Australia) Ltd v Brand [2004] NSWCA 58 referred to Beale v Government Insurance Office of New South Wales (1997) 48 NSWLR 430 referred to Mifsud v Campbell (1991) 21 NSWLR 725 referred to Whisprun Pty Ltd v Dixon (2003) 77 ALJR 1598 referred to Federal Commissioner of Taxation v St Helens Farm (ACT) Pty Ltd (1980-1981) 146 CLR 336 referred to Housing Commission of NSW v Tatmar Pastoral Co Pty Ltd [1983] 3 NSWLR 378 referred to Laminex (Australia) Pty Ltd v Smeeth [1999] NSWCA 462 referred to Cordelia Holdings Pty Ltd v Newkey Investments Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 48 referred to Henville v Walker (2001) 206 CLR 459 referred to I & L Securities Pty Ltd v HTW Valuers (Brisbane) Pty Ltd (2002) 210 CLR 109 referred to John G Glass Real Estate Pty Ltd v Karawi Constructions Pty Ltd (1993) ATPR 41-249 referred to Bowler v Hilda Pty Ltd (1998) 80 FCR 191 referred to Heydon v NRMA Ltd (2000) 51 NSWLR 1 referred to Breen v Williams (1995-1996) 186 CLR 71 referred to Pilmer v Duke Group Ltd (in Liq) (2001) 207 CLR 165 Hospital Products Ltd v Unites States Surgical Corporation (1984) 156 CLR 41 referred to Maguire v Makaronis (1996-1997) 188 CLR 449 referred to Daly v Sydney Stock Exchange Ltd (1985-1986) 160 CLR 371 referred to McKenzie v McDonald [1927] VLR 134 referred to Mallesons Stephen Jaques v KPMG Peat Marwick (1990) 4 WAR 357 referred to Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Smith (1991) 42 FCR 390 referred to Blackwell v Barroile Pty Ltd (1994) 51 FCR 348 referred to Layton v Stewart [1994] ANZ Convenience R 283 referred to Australian Breeders Co-operative Society Ltd v Jones (1997) 150 ALR 488 referred to Clark Boyce v Mouat [1994] 1 AC 428 referred to Farrington v Rowe McBride & Partners [1985] 1 NZLR 83 referred to Bristol and West Building Society v Mothew (C.A.) [1998] Ch 1 referred to Youyang Pty Ltd v Minter Ellison Morris Fletcher (2003) 212 CLR 484 referred to Spincode Pty Ltd v Look Software Pty Ltd (2001) 4 VR 501 referred to Brickenden v London Loan & Savings Co [1934] 3 DLR 465 referred to Holmes v Jones (1907) 4 CLR 1692 referred to Potts v Miller (1940) 64 CLR 282 referred to Toteff v Antonas (1952) 87 CLR 647 referred to Gould v Vaggelas (1983-1985) 157 CLR 215 referred to Marks v GIO Australia Holdings (1998) 196 CLR 494 referred to Gates v City Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (1985-1986) 160 CLR 1 referred to Kizbeau Pty Ltd v W G & B Pty Ltd (1985) 184 CLR 281 referred to Wardley Australia Ltd v State of Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 referred to Murphy v Overton Investments Pty Ltd (2004) 204 ALR 26 referred to Manwelland Pty Ltd v Dames & Moore Pty Ltd (2001) ATPR 41-845 distinguished Flemington Properties Pty Ltd v Raine & Horne Commercial Pty Ltd (1997) 148 ALR 271 doubted EXPECTATIONS PTY LTD v PRD REALTY PTY LTD and GORDON DOUGLAS Q164 of 2003 CARR, EMMETT & GYLES JJ 28 JULY 2004 PERTH (Heard in Brisbane)