BSA Advanced Property Solutions (Fire) Pty Ltd v Ventia Australia Pty Ltd [2022] NSWCA 82

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: BSA Advanced Property Solutions (Fire) Pty Ltd v Ventia Australia Pty Ltd [2022] NSWCA 82 Hearing dates: 04 May 2022 Date of orders: 03 June 2022 Decision date: 03 June 2022 Before: Ward P; Leeming JA; White JA; Brereton JA; Basten AJA Decision: (1) Allow the appeal from the judgment in the Equity Division given on 30 November 2021. (2) Set aside orders 1, 2 and 4 entered on 30 November 2021. (3) In lieu thereof order that: (a) the proceedings in the Equity Division be dismissed, and (b) the plaintiff (Ventia) pay the costs of the first defendant (BSA) in the Equity Division. (4) Order that the first respondent (Ventia) pay the appellant's (BSA) costs in this Court. Catchwords: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION – adjudication – payment claim – existence of "one contract" rule – whether entitlement to serve payment claim must arise under one contract – whether "one contract" rule conditions validity of payment claim CONTRACTS – construction – where contract provided that each work order constituted a new agreement – whether there was one or multiple construction contracts – characterisation by parties not determinative – other provisions inconsistent with each work order constituting new agreement STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – jurisdictional constraints on function of adjudication – whether express constraints augmented by implied condition statutory context – focus on work performed under construction contract – no requirement that claim identify source of entitlement – reference to putative entitlements – legislative purpose – facilitation of money flow to subcontractors – Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), Pts 2, 3 Legislation Cited: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) ss 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,13,14,17, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 34 Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Amendment Act 2018 (NSW) Constitution, s 44(v) Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW) Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), s 8 Cases Cited: All Seasons Air Pty Ltd v Regal Consulting Services Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCA 289 Ausipile Pty Ltd v Bothar Boring and Tunnelling (Australia) Pty Ltd [2021] QCA 223 Brodyn Pty Ltd v Davenport (2004) 61 NSWLR 421; [2004] NSWCA 394 Chase Oyster Bar Pty Ltd v Hamo Industries Pty Ltd (2010) 78 NSWLR 393; [2010] NSWCA 190 Fearnley v Australian Fisheries Management Authority [2006] FCAFC 3 Fish v Solution 6 Holdings Ltd (2006) 225 CLR 180; [2006] HCA 22 Kirk v Industrial Court of New South Wales (2010) 239 CLR 531; [2010] HCA 1 Lewis v Bell (1985) 1 NSWLR 731 Matrix Projects (Qld) Pty Ltd v Luscombe [2013] QSC 4 Nepean Engineering Pty Ltd v Total Process Services Pty Ltd (in liq) (2005) 64 NSWLR 462; [2005] NSWCA 409 Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v DDI Group Pty Ltd (2017) 61 NSWLR 421; [2017] NSWCA 151 Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Shade Systems Pty Ltd (2018) 264 CLR 1; [2018] HCA 4 Radaich v Smith (1959) 101 CLR 209; [1959 HCA 45 Rail Corporation of NSW v Nebax Constructions Australia Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 6 Re Day (No 2) (2017) 263 CLR 201; [2017] HCA 14 Re Webster (1975) 132 CLR 270; [1975] HCA 22 Solution 6 Holdings Ltd v Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales (2004) 60 NSWLR 558; [2004] NSWCA 200 Southern Han Breakfast Point Pty Ltd (in Liq) v Lewence Construction Pty Ltd (2016) 260 CLR 340; [2016] HCA 52 TFM Epping Land Pty Ltd v Decon Australia Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 93 Texts Cited: Lewison and Hughes, The Interpretation of Contracts in Australia (2012, Thomson Reuters) Category: Principal judgment Parties: BSA Advanced Property Solutions (Fire) Pty Ltd (Appellant) Ventia Australia Pty Ltd (First Respondent) Edward Smithies/Australian Solutions Centre (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Christie SC/Mr D Hume (Appellant) Mr L Shipway/Mr D Byrne (First Respondent)