Superannuation & Corporate Services Pty Ltd v Turner [2020] NSWCA 246

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Superannuation & Corporate Services Pty Ltd v Turner [2020] NSWCA 246 Hearing dates: 11 September 2020 Decision date: 02 October 2020 Before: Basten JA at [1] Gleeson JA at [2] Leeming JA at [150] Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed. (2) Appellant to pay the respondent's costs. Catchwords: CONTRACTS – unjust contracts – Contracts Review Act 1980 (NSW) – where respondent employed by the appellant as an accountant – where respondent resigned following bullying and harassment in the workplace – respondent contacted the appellant's clients – where no covenant not to compete and no restraint of trade – appellant claimed respondent misused client information and contact list – where appellant made overbearing threats of litigation including criminal prosecution – deed of settlement and release entered into – where clause provided that respondent pay 'agreed fee' to appellant – whether deed was unjust in the circumstances – Contracts Review Act ss 7 and 9(2) – challenge to discretionary decision to refuse to enforce the deed AMENDMENT – appeal – notice of appeal – whether new ground of appeal should be permitted – late attempt to rely upon constraint in granting relief contained in Contracts Review Act, s 6(2) – amendment refused Legislation Cited: Annual Holidays Act 1944 (NSW), s 8 Contracts Review Act 1980 (NSW), ss 4, 6, 7, 9 Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 156 Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), ss 44(1), 61(2)(d), 87(1)(a) Long Service Leave Act 1955 (NSW), s 7 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) (UCPR), rr 41.2, 51.18(1)(e), 51.36(2) Cases Cited: Al-Maha Pty Ltd v Coplin [2017] NSWCA 318 Australian Bank Limited v Stokes (1985) 3 NSWLR 174 Canty v PaperlinX Australia Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 309 Chen v Song [2005] NSWSC 19 Commercial Bank Co of Sydney Ltd v Pollard (1983) 1 NSWLR 69 Del Casale v Artedomus (Aust) Pty Ltd [2007] NSWCA 172; (2007) 165 IR 148 Electricity Generation Corporation t/as Verve Energy v Woodside Energy Ltd (2014) 251 CLR 640; [2014] HCA 7 Ford by his Tutor Beatrice Ann Watkinson v Perpetual Trustees Victoria Limited (2009) 75 NSWLR 42; [2009] NSWCA 186 Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118; [2003] HCA 22 Government Insurance Office (NSW) v RJ Green & Lloyd Pty Ltd (1996) 114 CLR 437; [1996] HCA 6 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Lee v Lee (2019) 266 CLR 129; [2019] HCA 28 Metwally v University of Wollongong [1985] HCA 28; (1985) 59 ALJR 481 Perpetual Trustee Company Limited v Albert and Rose Khoshaba [2006] NSWCA 41 Provident Capital Ltd v Papa (2013) 84 NSWLR 231; [2013] NSWCA 36 Quickfund (Australia) Pty Ltd v Airmark Consolidators Pty Ltd [2014] FCAFC 70 Quintano v B W Rose Pty Ltd & Ors [2008] NSWSC 793 Robinson Helicopter Co Inc v McDermott [2016] HCA 22; (2016) 90 ALJR 679 Ring Tread Systems (Australasia) Pty Ltd (Receiver and Manager Appointed) v Tubb (Court of Appeal, 30 October 1998, unreported) Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 Stoltenberg v Bolton; Loder v Bolton [2020] NSWCA 45 Tonto Home Loans Australia Pty Ltd v Tavares; FirstMac Ltd v Di Benedetto; FirstMac Ltd v O'Donnell [2011] NSWCA 389 Toscano v Holland Securities Pty Ltd (1985) 1 NSWLR 145 Walton v National Employers' Mutual General Insurance Association [1973] 2 NSWLR 73 Warren v Coombes (1979) 142 CLR 531; [1979] HCA 9 Water Board v Moustakas (1988) 180 CLR 491; [1988] HCA 12 West v AGC (Advances) Ltd (1986) 5 NSWLR 610 Whisprun Pty Ltd v Dixon [2003] HCA 48; (2003) 77 ALJR 1598 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Superannuation & Corporate Services Pty Ltd (Appellant) Richard Turner (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: I Wylie (Solicitor) (Appellant) Z M Hillman (Respondent)