Lactos Fresh Pty Ltd v Finishing Services Pty Ltd [2006] FCA 219

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Lactos Fresh Pty Ltd v Finishing Services Pty Ltd [2006] FCA 219

CONTRACT – whether notice given by landlord containing new rental assessment valid – whether notice unequivocal and did not leave reasonable recipient in doubt as to meaning – whether reasonable recipient credited with knowledge of terms of lease – whether subjective reaction of recipient of notice relevant – whether landlord's assessment required to be reasonable and not excessive – whether an implied duty of good faith TRADE PRACTICES – misleading or deceptive conduct – provision of assessment of proper rent – whether provision of assessment caused applicant's loss – unconscionable conduct – whether individual under a "special disadvantage" PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – amendment to pleadings – whether claim adequately pleaded – whether amendment should be allowed after conclusion of evidence – relevance of strength of case

Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 51AA, 52 and 82

Alcatel Australia Ltd v Scarcella (1998) 44 NSWLR 349 referred to Amalgamated Estates Ltd v Joystretch Manufacturing Ltd (1980) 257 EG 489 discussed Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd v Metro on George Pty Ltd (2004) 210 ALR 244 cited Australian Steel Company (Operations) Pty Ltd v Lewis (2001) 109 FCR 33 referred to Beneficial Finance Corporation v Commissioner of Australian Federal Police (1991) 31 FCR 523 referred to Burnham v City of Mordialloc [1956] VLR 239 cited Byrne v Australian Airlines Limited (1995) 185 CLR 410 cited Carradine Properties Ltd v Aslam [1976] 1 WLR 442 referred to Catley v Watson (1983) V ConvR ¶54-003 applied Central Pacific (Campus) Pty Ltd v Staged Developments Australia Pty Ltd (1998) V ConvR ¶54-575 discussed Davstone (Holdings) Ltd v Al-Rifai (1976) 32 P&CR 18 cited EFM Pty Ltd v New Zealand Steel (Aust) Pty Ltd [2000] VSC 290 cited Etlis v New Age Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 165 cited Fox & Widley v Guran [1998] 3 EG 142 discussed GHD Pty Ltd v Wayne [2001] QSC 73 discussed Gibbins Thomson Pty Ltd v Council of the City of Liverpool [2004] NSWSC 1172 cited GR Mailman & Associates Pty Ltd v Wormald (Aust) Pty Ltd (1991) 24 NSWLR 80 discussed Haynes v Top Slice Deli Pty Limited (1995) ATPR (Digest) ¶46-147 discussed Heaps v Addison Wesley Longman [1999] NSWSC 1093 cited Henville v Walker (2001) 206 CLR 459 referred to Janssen-Cilag Pty Limited v Pfizer Pty Limited (1992) 37 FCR 526 discussed Lancecrest Limited v Asiwaju [2005] EWCA Civ 117 referred to Leotta v Public Transport Commission (NSW) (1976) 9 ALR 437 cited Lewis v Sydney Flour Pty Ltd (1956) 56 SR (NSW) 189 cited Mannai Investment Co Ltd v Eagle Star Life Assurance Co Ltd [1997] AC 749 applied McCarthy v McIntyre [1999] FCA 784 discussed McCarthy v McIntyre [2000] FCA 1250 discussed McIntyre v Marshall [2004] NSWSC 412 cited Mercantile Mutual Insurance (Australia) Ltd v Farrington (1996) 44 NSWLR 634 cited MLW Technology Pty Ltd v May [2004] VSCA 29 cited National Australia Bank Ltd v Nobile (1988) 100 ALR 227 cited Norwich Union Life Insurance Society v Tony Waller Ltd (1984) 270 EG 42 discussed Orion Pet Products Pty Ltd v Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Vic) Inc (2002) 120 FCR 191 cited Ralph v Strutton [1969] Qd R 348 cited Rural Timber Ltd v Hughes [1989] 3 NZLR 178 referred to Shirlcar Properties Ltd v Heinitz (1983) 268 EG 362 discussed United Scientific Holdings Ltd v Burnley Borough Council [1978] AC 904 discussed Wardley Australia Ltd v Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 referred to