CPB Contractors Pty Ltd v DEAL S.R.L. [2021] NSWSC 820

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: CPB Contractors Pty Ltd v DEAL S.R.L. [2021] NSWSC 820 Hearing dates: 3 June 2021; last submissions 15 June 2021 Date of orders: 6 July 2021 Decision date: 06 July 2021 Jurisdiction: Equity - Commercial List Before: Rees J Decision: Proceedings stayed. Catchwords: COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION – claim under the Australian Consumer Law – alleged pre-contractual representations – proceedings commenced on last day of limitation period – application for stay – whether court or arbitrator should determine scope of arbitration clause – kompetenz-kompetenz – principles at [48]-[59] – prima facie approach applied – arbitrator to determine jurisdiction – proceedings stayed. CONDITIONS OF STAY – plaintiff seeks conditions on stay regarding limitation period and applicable law – principles at [92]-[111], [116]-[117] – condition regarding limitation period would substantively alter rights – conditions not imposed. Legislation Cited: Commercial Arbitration Act 2010 (NSW) International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) ss 7, 16, 39, sch 1, sch 2 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) ss 70, 72 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Cases Cited: A v B [2006] EWHC 2006 (Comm); [2007] 1 Lloyd's Rep 237 Ansett Australia Ltd v Malaysian Airline System Berhad [2008] VSC 109; (2008) 217 FLR 376 Cape Lambert Resources Ltd v MCC Australia Sanjin Mining Pty Ltd [2013] WASCA 66; (2013) 298 ALR 666 Comandate Marine Corporation v Pan Australia Shipping Pty Ltd (2006) 157 FCR 45; [2006] FCAFC 192 Dialogue Consulting Pty Ltd v Instagram, Inc [2020] FCA 1846 Francis Travel Marketing Pty Ltd v Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd (1996) 39 NSWLR 160 Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd v Rinehart (2017) 257 FCR 442; [2017] FCAFC 170 Hi-Fert Pty Ltd v Kiukiang Maritime Carriers Inc (1997) 150 ALR 345 Hi-Fert Pty Ltd v Kiukiang Maritime Carriers Inc (No 5) (1998) 90 FCR 1 IBM Australia Ltd v National Distribution Services Pty Ltd (1991) 22 NSWLR 466 John Holland Pty Ltd v Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd [2015] NSWSC 451 Lepcanfin Pty Ltd v Lepfin Pty Ltd (2020) 102 NSWLR 627; [2020] NSWCA 155 O'Brien v Tanning Research Laboratories Inc (1988) 14 NSWLR 601 Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd v APL Co Pte Ltd (No 2) [2021] FCA 606 QH Tours Ltd v Ship Design and Management (Aust) Pty Ltd (1991) 33 FCR 227 Rinehart v Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd (2019) 267 CLR 514; [2019] HCA 13 Tanning Research Laboratories Inc v O'Brien (1990) 169 CLR 332 Tomolugen Holdings Ltd v Silica Investors Ltd [2015] SGCA 57; [2016] 1 SLR 373 Walter Rau Neusser Oel und Fett AG v Cross Pacific Trading Ltd [2005] FCA 1102 WesTrac Pty Ltd v Eastcoast OTR Tyres Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 894; (2008) 219 FLR 461 Texts Cited: Malcolm Holmes and Chester Brown, The International Arbitration Act 1974: A Commentary (3rd ed, 2018, LexisNexis) Category: Principal judgment Parties: CPB Contractors Pty Limited (Plaintiff) Deal S.R.L. (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr B Kremer (Plaintiff) Mr J Giles SC / Mr M Sheldon (Defendant)