CBS Commercial Canberra Pty Ltd v Axis Commercial (ACT) Pty Ltd, in the matter of CBS Commercial Canberra Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 544

Federal Court of Australia

CBS Commercial Canberra Pty Ltd v Axis Commercial (ACT) Pty Ltd, in the matter of CBS Commercial Canberra Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 544 File number(s): ACD 34 of 2021

Judgment of: HALLEY J

Date of judgment: 12 May 2022

Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – application to set aside statutory demand – adjudication determination pursuant to the Building and Construction (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT) (SOPA) – whether offsetting claims that have been rejected by adjudicator can be relied upon for purposes of Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 459H – whether in truth offsetting claims – whether offsetting claims genuine – where offsetting claims available to plaintiff – statutory demand set aside – Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 459G, 459H

Legislation: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 459G, 459H Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) ss 23, 25, 27 Building and Construction (Security of Payment) Act 2009 (ACT) ss 6, 25, 26, 27

Cases cited: Bakota Holdings Pty Ltd v Bank of Western Australia Ltd [2011] NSWSC 1277 BBB Constructions Pty Ltd v Frankpile Australia Pty Ltd (2008) 68 ACSR 1; [2008] NSWSC 982 Britten-Norman Pty Ltd v Analysis & Technology Australia Pty Ltd (2013) 85 NSWLR 601; [2013] NSWCA 344 Chase Manhattan Bank Australia Ltd v OSCTY Pty Ltd (1995) 17 ACSR 128 Chase Oyster Bar Pty Ltd v Hamo Industries Pty Ltd (2010) 78 NSWLR 393; [2010] NSWCA 190 Demir Pty Ltd v Graf Plumbing Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 553 Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Broadbeach Properties Pty Ltd (2008) 237 CLR 473; [2008] HCA 41 Diploma Construction (WA) Pty Ltd v KPA Architects Pty Ltd [2014] WASCA 91 Drum Café Australia Pty Ltd v Lieberman [2010] NSWSC 642 Eumina Investments Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation (1998) 84 FCR 454; [1998] FCA 824 First Equilibrium Pty Ltd v Bluestone Property Services Pty Ltd (in liq) (2013) 95 ACSR 654; [2013] FCAFC 108 Macleay Nominees Pty Ltd v Belle Property East [2001] NSWSC 743 Ozone Manufacturing Pty Ltd v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (2006) 94 SASR 269; [2006] SASC 91 Project Venture Development No 11 Pty Ltd v TQM Design & Construct Pty Ltd (2009) 234 FLR 391; [2009] NSWSC 699 Re Douglas Aerospace Pty Ltd (2015) 294 FLR 137; [2015] NSWSC 167 Re J Group Constructions Pty Ltd (2015) 303 FLR 139; [2015] NSWSC 1607 Re Morris Catering (Australia) Pty Ltd (1993) 11 ACSR 601 Scanhill Pty Ltd v Century 21 Australasia Pty Ltd (1993) 47 FCR 451