White Property Developments Ltd v Richmond Growth Pty Ltd & Ors [1998] FCA 26

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

CONTRACT -whether enforceable agreement - whether agreement merely an "agreement to agree" - whether agreement "too illusory or too vague and uncertain" to be enforceable - construction of "first right of refusal" - whether breach of contract - assessment of damages in loss of opportunity case TRADE PRACTICES - whether misleading or deceptive conduct - whether applicant relied on misrepresentations - whether loss was occasioned "by" misleading or deceptive conduct - whether directors and/or agent of respondent company "engaged in trade or commerce"

Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), s 52 Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW), s 42

Beneficial Finance Corporation Ltd v Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd (1995) 36 NSWLR 510, refd Bill Acceptance Corp Ltd v GWA Ltd (1983) 78 FLR 171, refd Bomanite Pty Ltd v Slatex Corporation Australia Pty Ltd (1991) 32 FCR 379 Butt v McDonald (1896) 7 QLJ 68, refd Cedric Constructions Pty Ltd v Elders Finance & Investment Co Ltd (1988) ATPR 40-879, refd Coal Cliff Collieries Pty Ltd v Sijehama Pty Ltd (1991) 24 NSWLR 1, refd Codelfa Constructions Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW (1982) 41 ALR 367, refd Commonwealth v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 64, applied Cropper v Smith (1884) 26 Ch. D 700, refd Global Sportsman Pty Ltd v Mirror Newspapers Ltd (1984) 2 FCR 82, refd GSA Industries Pty Ltd v NT Gas Ltd (1990) 24 NSWLR 710, refd Hide and Skin Trading Pty Ltd v Oceanic Meat Traders Ltd (1990) 20 NSWLR 310, refd Leda Holdings Pty Ltd v Oraka Pty Ltd (Full Court, unreported, 9 December 1997), refd Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638, applied Manchester Ship Canal Co v Manchester Racecourse Co [1901] 2 Ch. 37, refd Masters v Cameron (1954) 91 CLR 353, refd Pavey & Matthews Pty Ltd v Paul (1987) 162 CLR 221, refd Pata Nominees Pty Ltd v Durnsford Pty Ltd (1988) WAR 365, refd Queensland v JL Holdings Pty Ltd (1997) 141 ALR 353, refd Re Ku-ring-gai Co-operative Building Society (No 12) Ltd (1978) 36 FLR 134, refd Renard Constructions (ME) Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (1992) 26 NSWLR 234, refd Sabemo Pty Ltd v North Sydney Municipal Council (1977) 2 NSWLR 880, applied Schuler (L.) A.G. v Wickman Machine Tool Sales Ltd [1974] AC 255, refd Sellars & Poseidon Ltd v Adelaide Petroleum NL (1994) 179 CLR 332, applied Spunwill Pty Ltd v B A B Pty Ltd (1994) 36 NSWLR 290, applied State Pollution Control Commission v Australian Iron & Steel Pty Ltd (No 2) (1992) 29 NSWLR 487, refd