PPK Willoughby Pty Ltd v Baird [2021] NSWCA 312

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: PPK Willoughby Pty Ltd v Baird [2021] NSWCA 312 Hearing dates: 25 November 2021 Decision date: 14 December 2021 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Leeming JA at [2]; Simpson AJA at [97]. Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: DAMAGES – developer purchases land by tender – developer obliged to construct development as specified in masterplan – developer makes profit – solicitors acting for developer give misleading advice concerning whether land flood affected – developer incurs costs in persuading council to remove flood notation – developer sues solicitors, advances "no transaction" case and claims difference between purchase price and "true value" – consideration of "Potts v Miller" damages – significance of absence of market for land – significance of obligation to construct development – appeal dismissed Legislation Cited: Conveyancing (Sale of Land) Regulation 2010 (NSW) Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Cases Cited: Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd v Sydney Catchment Authority (No 3) (2006) 67 NSWLR 343; [2006] NSWCA 282 Berry v CCL Secure Pty Ltd [2020] HCA 27; 94 ALJR 715 Brown v Dream Homes SA Pty Ltd (2008) 102 SASR 93; [2008] SASC 295 Chief Commissioner of State Revenue v Adams Bidco Pty Ltd [2019] NSWCA 34 Clarke v Urquhart; Stracey v Urquhart [1930] AC 28 Coleman v Power (2004) 220 CLR 1; [2004] HCA 39 CSR Ltd v Eddy (2005) 226 CLR 1; [2005] HCA 64 Davidson v Tulloch (1860) 3 Macq 783 FSHC Group Holdings Ltd v Glas Trust Corporation Ltd [2020] Ch 365; [2019] EWCA Civ 1361 Gulic v Boral Transport Ltd [2016] NSWCA 269 HTW Valuers (Central Qld) Pty Ltd v Astonland Pty Ltd (2004) 217 CLR 640; [2004] HCA 54 Hussey v Eels [1990] 2 QB 227 Hyde v United States 225 US 347 (1912) Johnson v Perez (1988) 166 CLR 351; [1988] HCA 64 Kenny & Good Pty Ltd v MGICA (1992) Ltd (1999) 199 CLR 413; [1999] HCA 25 Lipohar v The Queen (1999) 200 CLR 485; [1999] HCA 65 Manwelland Pty Ltd v Dames & Moore Pty Ltd [2001] QCA 436 Marks v GIO Australia Holdings Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 494; [1998] HCA 69 McCallister v Richmond Brewing Co (NSW) Pty Ltd (1942) 42 SR (NSW) 187 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Ltd v Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd (2015) 256 CLR 104; [2015] HCA 37 Ng v Filmlock Pty Ltd (2014) 88 NSWLR 146; [2014] NSWCA 389 Peter Sleiman Investments Pty Ltd as trustee for the Sleiman Family Trust v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2017] NSWCA 81 Potts v Miller (1940) 64 CLR 282; [1940] HCA 43 Potts v Miller (1940) 40 SR (NSW) 351 PPK Willoughby Pty Ltd v Baird [2020] NSWSC 1757 Category: Principal judgment Parties: PPK Willoughby Pty Ltd (Appellant) David Baird and 105 others (Respondents) Representation: Counsel: A P Cheshire SC, E Lambert (Appellant) T M Faulkner SC, J D Williams (Respondents)