Norman, in the matter of Forest Enterprises Australia Limited (Administrators Appointed) (Receivers & Managers Appointed) v FEA Plantations Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (Receivers Appointed) [2010] FCA 1444

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Norman, in the matter of Forest Enterprises Australia Limited (Administrators Appointed) (Receivers & Managers Appointed) v FEA Plantations Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (Receivers Appointed) [2010] FCA 1444 Citation: Norman, in the matter of Forest Enterprises Australia Limited (Administrators Appointed) (Receivers & Managers Appointed) v FEA Plantations Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (Receivers Appointed) [2010] FCA 1444

Parties: TIMOTHY BRYCE NORMAN and SALVATORE ALGERI in their capacities as receivers and managers of FOREST ENTERPRISES AUSTRALIA LIMITED (ADMINISTRATORS APPOINTED) (RECEIVERS & MANAGERS APPOINTED) and of FEA CARBON PTY LTD (SUBJECT TO DEED OF COMPANY ARRANGEMENT) (RECEIVERS AND MANAGERS APPOINTED) and as controllers of TASMANIAN PLANTATION PTY LTD (SUBJECT TO DEED OF COMPANY ARRANGEMENT) (CONTROLLERS ACTING) and others according to the attached schedule v FEA PLANTATIONS LTD (ADMINISTRATORS APPOINTED) (RECEIVERS APPOINTED) and FEA GROWERS GROUP INC. A0054610B

File number: VID 692 of 2010

Judge: FINKELSTEIN J

Date of judgment: 21 December 2010

Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – receivership – receiver seeking direction regarding termination of leases LANDLORD AND TENANT – lease – lease identifies tenant – whether extrinsic evidence sufficient to avoid that identification CONTRACT – lease – non-payment of rent – tenant in administration – whether a repudiation EQUITY – equitable set-off – set-off against rent – covenant in lease to pay rent "without any deductions whatsoever"

Cases cited: Atco Controls Pty Ltd (in liq) v Newtronics Pty Ltd (recs and mgrs apptd) (in liq) (2009) 78 ASCR 375 Batiste v Lennon (2002) BPR 19,441 British Anzari (Felixstowe) Ltd v International Marine Management (UK) Ltd [1980] 1 QB 137 British & Beningtons Ltd v North Western Cachar Tea Co Ltd [1923] AC 48 Citibank Pty Ltd v Simon Fredericks Pty Ltd [1993] 2 VR 168 Connaught Restaurants Ltd v Indoor Leisure Ltd [1994] 1 WLR 501 Debonair Nominees Pty Ltd v J & K Berry Nominees Pty Ltd (2000) 77 SASR 261 Eagle Star Nominees Ltd v Merril [1982] VR 557 Fuller v Happy Shopper Markets Ltd [2001] 1 WLR 1681 Gilbert-Ash (Northern) Ltd v Modern Engineering (Bristol) Ltd [1974] AC 689 Grant v NZMC Ltd [1989] 1 NZLR 8 James v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1992) 37 FCR 445 KL Tractors, Re [1954] VLR 505 Laurinda Pty Ltd v Capalaba Park Shopping Centre Pty Ltd (1989) 166 CLR 623 Norman v FEA Plantation Ltd (admins apptd) (recs apptd) [2010] FCA 1274 Partnership Pacific Securities Ltd, Re [1994] 1 Qd R 410 Popular Homes Ltd v Circuit Developments Ltd [1979] 2 NZLR 642 Progressive Mailing House Pty Ltd v Tabali Pty Ltd (1985) 157 CLR 17 Rawson v Samuel (1841) Cr & Ph 161; 41 ER 451 Sander Benk Holdings Pty Ltd v Durkan [2010] WASCA 122 Shevill v Builders Licensing Board (1982) 149 CLR 620 Silvia v FEA Carbon Pty Ltd (admins apptd) (recs and mgrs apptd) (2010) 185 FCR 301 Total Oil Great Britain Ltd v Thompson Garages (Biggin Hill) Ltd [1972] 1 QB 318 Universal Cargo Carriers Corp v Citati [1957] 2 QB 401