SVI Systems Pty Limited v Best & Less Pty Limited [2001] FCA 279

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

SVI SYSTEMS PTY LIMITED v BEST & LESS PTY LIMITED [2001] FCA 279

CONTRACT – construction – written signed document – whether concluded agreement – whether void for uncertainty or incompleteness – implication of terms not contained in written signed document to avoid uncertainty or incompleteness – "subject to" clauses – whether contract binding – when contract binding – intention and conduct of the parties as to whether and when contract binding – tests to be applied to determine intention of parties CONTRACT – commerciality – ambiguity – "master agreement" – collateral contract – "best endeavours" clause – novation – whether contract novated CONTRACT – EVIDENCE – admissibility of extrinsic evidence – evidence of surrounding circumstances admissible to determine whether concluded agreement – admissibility of post contractual conduct TRADE PRACTICES – consumer protection – misleading and deceptive conduct – representations DAMAGES – breach of contract – causation of loss or damage – remoteness of loss or damage – measure of loss or damage – assessment of loss or damage by experts – conflicting assessments of loss or damage by experts – resolving conflict between experts DAMAGES – misleading and deceptive conduct – causation – remoteness – measure and assessment of loss or damage

Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 52, 82, 87 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), s 43 Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW)

Cutts v Buckley (1933) 49 CLR 189 referred to Vickery v Woods (1952) 85 CLR 336 referred to Upper Hunter County District Council v Australian Chilling and Freezing Co Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 429 cited Whitlock v Brew (1968) 118 CLR 445 referred to Olsson v Dyson (1969) 120 CLR 365 applied J J Savage & Sons Pty Ltd v Blakney (1970) 119 CLR 435 cited Godecke v Kirwan (1973) 129 CLR 629 referred to Transfield Pty Ltd v Arlo International Limited (1980) 144 CLR 83 considered Meehan v Jones (1982) 149 CLR 571 followed Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337 applied Booker Industries Pty Ltd v Wilson Parking (Qld) Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 600 applied Hospital Products Ltd v United States Surgical Corporation (1984) 156 CLR 41 considered Gates v City Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 1 discussed, referred to Darlington Futures Limited v Delco Australia Proprietary Limited (1986) 161 CLR 500 considered Commonwealth v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 64 applied Re Wakim; Ex parte McNally (Spinks v Prentice) (1999) 198 CLR 511 referred to Ross v Allis-Chalmers Australia Pty Ltd (1980) 55 ALJR 8 cited Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Suttons Motors (Chullora) Wholesale Pty Ltd (1983) 47 ALR 449 referred to Cook v Chas E Blanks Pty Ltd [1968] 3 NSWR 356 referred to TJ Precision Engineering Pty Ltd v Crane Copper & Aluminium Pty Ltd [1968] 3 NSWR 360 referred to Air Great Lakes Pty Ltd v KS Easter (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1985) 2 NSWLR 309 applied Mutual Export Corporation & Ors v Asia Australian Express Ltd & Ors (The "Lakatoi Express") (1990) 19 NSWLR 285 referred to Hide & Skin Trading Pty Ltd v Oceanic Meat Traders Ltd (1990) 20 NSWLR 310 referred to Spunwill Pty Ltd v Bab Pty Ltd (1994) 36 NSWLR 290 referred to Australian Co-Operative Foods Ltd v Norco Co-Operative Ltd (1999) 46 NSWLR 267 considered JLW (Victoria) Pty Ltd v Tsiloglou & Ors [1994] 1 VR 237 applied Toyota Motor Corp Australia Ltd v Ken Morgan Motors Pty Ltd [1994] 2 VR 106 referred to Film Bars Pty Ltd v Pacific Film Laboratories Pty Ltd (1979) 1 BPR 9251 referred to Scruples Imports Pty Ltd v Crabtree & Evelyn Pty Ltd (1983) 1 IPR 315 approved Terrex Resources NL v Magnet Petroleum Pty Ltd [1988] 1 WAR 144 cited Gregory & Bradshaw v MAB Pty Ltd [1989] 1 WAR 1 followed Hillas & Co Ltd v Arcos Ltd [1932] All ER Rep 494 cited May and Butcher Ltd v R [1934] 2 KB 17n referred to Foley v Classique Coaches Ltd [1934] 2 KB 1 referred to G Scammell & Nephew Ltd v Ouston [1941] AC 251 considered SVI SYSTEMS PTY LIMITED v BEST & LESS PTY LIMITED & ORS N342 of 2000 EINFELD J 20 MARCH 2001 SYDNEY