Lahey Constructions Pty Ltd v Department of Education [2020] NSWSC 1158

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Lahey Constructions Pty Ltd v Department of Education [2020] NSWSC 1158 Hearing dates: 23 July 2020 Date of orders: 28 August 2020 Decision date: 28 August 2020 Jurisdiction: Equity - Technology and Construction List Before: Henry J Decision: Expert determination final and binding. Proceedings dismissed. See paragraph [116]. Catchwords: CONTRACTS – Construction – Interpretation – expert determination clause – NSW General Conditions of Contract (GC21), cl 71.8 – whether expert determination is final and binding – whether determination requires a party to pay to the other an amount that exceeds contractual threshold, without having regard to amounts paid under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) – meaning of "the determination" and "requires one party to pay the other an amount" – expert determination final and binding CIVIL PROCEDURE — Summary disposal — whether defendant should obtain summary judgment – whether claims should be dismissed or struck out – where defendant did not file a list response or cross claim – proceedings dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 3, 56 Practice Note SC Eq 3, [62]. Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 13.1 Cases Cited: Bellevarde Constructions Pty Ltd v Cosmas Pty Ltd [2016] NSWSC 406 Electricity Generation Corporation v Woodside Energy Limited (2014) 251 CLR 640; [2014] HCA 7 Empire Glass and Aluminium Pty Ltd v Lipman Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 253 Firedam Civil Engineering Pty Ltd v Shoalhaven City Council [2010] NSWCA 59 General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) (1964) 112 CLR 125; [1964] HCA 69 Jireh International Pty Limited t/as Gloria Jean's Coffee v Western Export Services Inc [2011] NSWCA 137 Lawrence v Ciantar [2020] NSWCA 89 Lepcanfin Pty Ltd v Lepfin Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 1328 Lepcanfin Pty Ltd v Lepfin Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 155 Lipman Pty Limited v Emergency Services Superannuation Board [2010] NSWSC 710 Lipman Pty Limited v Emergency Services Superannuation Board [2011] NSWCA 163 Miwa Pty Limited v Siantan Properties Pte Limited [2011] NSWCA 297 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Limited v Wright Prospecting Pty Limited (2015) 256 CLR 104; [2015] HCA 37 Shoalhaven City Council v Firedam Civil Engineering Pty Ltd (2011) 244 CLR 305; [2011] HCA 38 Simmons v Protective Commissioner of New South Wales [2012] NSWSC 455 Spencer v Commonwealth (2010) 241 CLR 118; [2010] HCA 28 Sweetpea Petroluem Pty Ltd v Palter Petroleum [2018] NSWSC 1649 The Illawarra Community Housing Trust Limited v MP Park Lane Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 751 Texts Cited: Nil Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Lahey Constructions Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Department of Education (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Ashurst SC and Mr A Vincent (Plaintiff) Ms J Wright (Defendant)