Plankton Australia Pty Limited v Rainstorm Dust Control Pty Limited [2018] FCA 174

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Plankton Australia Pty Limited v Rainstorm Dust Control Pty Limited [2018] FCA 174 File number: NSD 2072 of 2017

Judge: COLVIN J

Date of judgment: 27 February 2018

Catchwords: CONTRACTS – general principles as to formation of contract – whether legally binding contract formed – whether conduct manifested mutual assent to be legally bound to essential elements of a contract – whether essential terms agreed where necessary party not yet incorporated – no contract found CONSUMER LAW – misleading or deceptive conduct – whether conduct represented the existence of an enforceable agreement - nature of alleged representation as to future conduct – distinctions between promise, prediction, plan and present opinion or intention as to future event – no misleading or deceptive conduct ESTOPPEL – whether representation of the existence of an enforceable agreement – relevance of proportionality when considering grant of relief giving effect to representation – no estoppel found COSTS – whether lump-sum order should be made – relevance of estimates given by parties before outcome known – relevance of urgency and duration of proceedings – lump sum order made

Cases cited: Agricultural and Rural Finance Pty Ltd v Gardiner (2008) 238 CLR 570 Anaconda Nickel Ltd v Tarmoola Australia Pty Ltd (2000) 22 WAR 101 Australian Broadcasting Corporation v XIVth Commonwealth Games Ltd (1988) 18 NSWLR 540 Australian Mud Company Pty Ltd v Coretell Pty Ltd (No 7) [2017] FCA 1469 Baulkham Hills Private Hospital Pty Ltd v GR Securities Pty Ltd (1986) 40 NSWLR 622 Booker Industries Pty Ltd v Wilson Parking (Qld) Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 600 Brambles Holdings Ltd v Bathurst City Council (2001) 53 NSWLR 153 Branir Pty Ltd v Owston Nominees (No 2) Pty Ltd (2001) 117 FCR 424 Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Ltd (2004) 218 CLR 592 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 238 CLR 304 Campomar Sociedad, Limitada v Nike International Limited (2000) 202 CLR 45 Concrete Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594 Ermogenous v Greek Orthodox Community of SA Inc (2002) 209 CLR 95 Fewin Pty Ltd v Burke (No 3) [2017] FCA 693 Forrest v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2012) 247 CLR 486 Glaxosmithkline Australia Pty Ltd v Pharmacor Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1202 Glueck v Stang [2008] FCA 148 Gold & Copper Resources Pty Ltd v Newcrest Operations Ltd [2013] NSWSC 281 Interpharma Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Patents [2008] FCA 1283 Laidlaw v Hillier Hewitt Elsey Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 44 Masters v Cameron (1954) 91 CLR 353 Meehan v Jones (1982) 149 CLR 571 Paciocco v Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (No 2) [2017] FCAFC 146 Rafferty v Madgwicks (2012) 203 FCR 1 Sidhu v Van Dyke (2014) 251 CLR 505 Taco Co of Australia Inc v Taco Bell Pty Ltd (1982) 42 ALR 177 Terrex Resources NL v Magnet Petroleum Pty Ltd (1998) 1 WAR 144 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165 Uranium Equities Ltd v Fewster (2008) 36 WAR 97 Village Building Co Ltd v Canberra International Airport Pty Ltd (2004) 139 FCR 330 Yorke v Lucas (1985) 158 CLR 661 Date of hearing: 19-21 February 2018