Futuris Corporation Limited (ACN 004 336 636 v ERG Limited (ACN 998 112 625) [2001] FCA 1126

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Futuris Corporation Limited (ACN 004 336 636 v ERG Limited

(ACN 998 112 625) [2001] FCA 1126

TRADE PRACTICES – misleading or deceptive conduct – precontractual representations – content – reliance

CONTRACT – construction of contract – surrounding circumstances – rectification – settlement of dispute involving contested acquisition of corporation.

DAMAGES – mitigation – loss of opportunity – expert evidence – opinion evidence – admissibility questionable – no weight

Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)

Metropolitan Gas Co v The Federated Gas Employees' Industrial Union (1925) 35 CLR 449 cited

Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337 cited

FUTURIS CORPORATION LIMITED (ACN 004 336 636), FUTURIS INVESTMENTS PTY LTD (ACN 009 134 963) v ERG LIMITED (ACN 998 112 625) and SIMMONDS CAPITAL LIMITED

WAG 27 OF 1996

FRENCH J

15 AUGUST 2001

PERTH

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY WAG 27 OF 1996

BETWEEN: FUTURIS CORPORATION LIMITED (ACN 004 336 636)

FIRST APPLICANT

FUTURIS INVESTMENTS PTY LTD (ACN 009 134 963)

SECOND APPLICANT

AND: ERG LIMITED (ACN 998 112 625)

FIRST RESPONDENT

SIMMONDS CAPITAL LIMITED

SECOND RESPONDENT

JUDGE: FRENCH J

DATE OF ORDER: 15 AUGUST 2001

WHERE MADE: PERTH

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1. The application be dismissed.

2. The applicants are to pay the respondents' costs of the application.

3. The cross-claim is dismissed.

4. The first respondent is to pay the applicant's costs of the cross-claim.

Note: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY WAG 27 OF 1996