The Owners – Strata Plan No 92183 v Samdora Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 41

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: The Owners – Strata Plan No 92183 v Samdora Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 41 Hearing dates: 2 February 2023 Date of orders: 3 February 2023 Decision date: 03 February 2023 Jurisdiction: Equity - Technology and Construction List Before: Rees J Decision: Dismiss application for summary dismissal with indemnity costs Catchwords: SUMMARY DISMISSAL – principles at [4]-[5] – building defects claim – earlier proceedings settled – whether settlement agreement included a release barring these proceedings – release in draft deed circulated without instructions to 'open discussions' – draft deed fell by the wayside in subsequent negotiations – ascertaining contractual terms at [6] – post-contractual conduct at [7]. Legislation Cited: Design and Builders Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW) Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rule 13.4 Cases Cited: Agar v Hyde [2000] HCA 41; (2000) 201 CLR 552 Batistatos v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales (2006) 226 CLR 256; [2006] HCA 27 Brambles Holdings Limited v Bathurst City Council (2001) 53 NSWLR 153; [2001] NSWCA 61 Bryant v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1994) 51 FCR 529 Crown Melbourne Ltd v Cosmopolitan Hotel (Vic) Pty Ltd [2016] HCA 26; 260 CLR 1 Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioners (1949) 78 CLR 62; [1949] HCA 1 Fancourt v Mercantile Credits Ltd (1983) 154 CLR 87 General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) (1964) 112 CLR 125; [1964] HCA 69 In the matters of Earth Civil Australia Pty Ltd, RCG CBD Pty Ltd, Bluemine Pty Ltd, Diamondwish Pty Ltd and Rackforce Pty Ltd (all in liq) (No 2) [2021] NSWSC 1161 Ke Qin Ren v Hong Jiang (2014) 104 ACSR 149; [2014] NSWCA 388 Lym International Pty Limited v Marcolongo (2011) 15 BPR 29,465; [2011] NSWCA 303 Queensland Phosphate Pty Limited v Korda and Shepard (as joint and several liquidators of Legend International Holdings Inc (in liq)) [2017] VSCA 269 Ryledar Pty Ltd v Euphoric Pty Ltd (2007) 69 NSWLR 603 Sagacious Procurement Pty Ltd v Symbion Health Ltd [2008] NSWCA 149 Spencer v Commonwealth of Australia (2010) 241 CLR 118; [2010] HCA 28 Tasman Capital Pty Ltd v Sinclair [2008] NSWCA 248 Category: Procedural rulings Parties: The Owners-Strata Plan No 92183 (Plaintiff/Respondent) 3173 Pty Ltd (Second Defendant/Applicant) Representation: Counsel: Mr P Horobin (Plaintiff/Respondent) Mr T Lynch SC (Second Defendant/Applicant)