Smiths Specialised Building Services Pty Ltd v Brisull Industries Pty Ltd [2021] NSWDC 331

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Smiths Specialised Building Services Pty Ltd v Brisull Industries Pty Ltd [2021] NSWDC 331 Hearing dates: 13 – 15 July 2021 Date of orders: 21 July 2021 Decision date: 21 July 2021 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Abadee DCJ Decision: See paragraph 117 Catchwords: CONTRACTS – contract for supply of maintenance services between contractor and subcontractor –agreement as to quantum of labour rates – whether express term of the contract that the subcontractor must pay its workers the same rates at which it charged the contractor DAMAGES – whether suggested term of contract that is breached involves conferral of benefit upon a third party – whether damages recoverable for 'reliance interest' or loss of bargain – whether promisee suffered loss Legislation Cited: Nil. Cases Cited: Alfred McAlpine Construction Ltd v Panatown Ltd [2001] 1 AC 518 Australian Goldfields NL (in liq) v North Australian Diamonds NL (2009) 40 WAR 191 Clark v Macourt (2013) 253 CLR 1 Commonwealth v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1990) 174 CLR 64 Coulls v Bagot's Executor and Trustee Co Ltd (1967) 119 CLR 490 Hospitality Group Pty Ltd v Australian Rugby Union (2001) 110 FCR 157 Lawrence v Ciantar [2020] NSWCA 89 Mann v Paterson Constructions Pty Ltd (2019) 267 CLR 560 McRae v Commonwealth Disposals Commission (1951) 84 CLR 377 Moore v Scenic Tours Pty Ltd (2020) 377 ALR 209 Motor Yacht Sales Australia Pty Ltd v Blann [2020] NSWCA 349 Placer (Granny Smith) Pty Ltd v Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd (2003) 196 ALR 257 Queensland Independent Wholesalers Ltd v Coutts Townsville Pty Ltd [1989] 2 Qd R 40 Ravinder Rohini Pty Ltd v Krizaic (1991) 30 FCR 300 Robinson v Harman (1848) 1 Ex 850 Tito v Waddell (No.2) [1977] Ch 106 Trident General Insurance Co Ltd v McNiece Bros Pty Ltd (1988) 165 CLR 107 Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387 Texts Cited: J D Heydon, Heydon on Contract: The General Part (2019, Thomson Reuters) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Smiths Specialised Building Services Pty Ltd (plaintiff/cross-defendant) Brisull Industries Pty Ltd (defendant/cross-claimant) Representation: Counsel: Mr D Birch for the plaintiff/cross-defendant Mr M Galvin for the defendant/cross-claimant