In the matter of Wetherill Park Holdings Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 282

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: In the matter of Wetherill Park Holdings Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 282 Hearing dates: 1, 2 and 3 September, 6 October 2020 Date of orders: 25 March 2021 Decision date: 25 March 2021 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Rees J Decision: Liquidator appointed. Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – winding up – statutory demand based on default judgment – no application to set aside demand – application to appoint liquidator – default judgment then set aside – no leave under s 459S – whether abuse of process – case law review and principles at [7]-[15] – no abuse of process. SOLVENCY – defendant woefully insolvent – defendant supported by secured creditors – whether defendant thereby solvent – presumption of insolvency not displaced – no issues of principle. Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) s 98 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 95A, 459C(3), 459G, 459J(1)(b), 459P(1)(b), 459S Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 48 Cases Cited: Ace Contractors and Staff Pty Ltd v Westgarth Development Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 728 Alternative Engine Technologies Pty Ltd v Kruger Ventures Pty Ltd (No 2) [2010] SASC 60 Australian Beverage Distributors Pty Ltd v Evans & Tate Premium Wines Pty Ltd (2007) 69 NSWLR 374; [2007] NSWCA 57 Averkin v Insurance Australia Ltd (2016) 92 NSWLR 68; [2016] NSWCA 122 Braams Group Pty Ltd v Miric [2002] NSWCA 417; (2002) 44 ACSR 124 Chief Commissioner of Stamp Duties v Paliflex Pty Ltd [1999] NSWSC 15; (1999) 17 ACLC 467 Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Begonia Pty Ltd (1993) 11 ACLC 1075 Expile Pty Ltd v Jabb's Excavations Pty Ltd [2003] NSWCA 163; (2003) 45 ACSR 711 In the matter of Kornucopia Pty Ltd [2020] VSC 7 In the matter of New View Windows Pty Ltd trading as Narellan Windows and Glass [2020] NSWSC 1905 In the matter of Wetherill Park Holdings Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 982 Leslie v Howship Holdings Pty Ltd [1997] FCA 133; (1997) 15 ACLC 459 Mutton v Living Australia Pty Ltd [2020] FCA 739; (2020) 145 ACSR 82 Radiancy (Sales) Pty Ltd v Bimat Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 962; (2007) 25 ACLC 1216 Redglove Holdings Pty Ltd v GNE & Associates Pty Ltd [2001] NSWSC 867; (2001) 20 ACLC 304 Rhodium Australia Pty Ltd v Stateway Pty Ltd [2012] WASC 205 State Bank of New South Wales v Tela Pty Ltd (No 2) [2002] NSWSC 20; (2002) 188 ALR 702 The Owners – Strata Plan No 17572 v Nomak Holdings Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 1412 TQM Design & Construct Pty Ltd v M I Kitchen Design Pty Ltd [2011] NSWSC 800 Vitali v Stachnik [2001] NSWSC 303 Wetherill Park Plaza Pty Ltd v Halecret Holdings Pty Ltd (District Court (NSW), Hatzistergos DCJ, 6 April 2020, unrep) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Wetherill Park Plaza Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Wetherill Park Holdings Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr A Fernon SC (Plaintiff) Mr G McDonald (Defendant)