Schrader v David Broach t/as David Broach Building Services [2023] NSWDC 97

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Schrader v David Broach t/as David Broach Building Services [2023] NSWDC 97 Hearing dates: 30 January – 3 February, 6 – 7, 15, 17 February 2023 Date of orders: 14 April 2023 Decision date: 14 April 2023 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: J Smith SC DCJ Decision: (1) The Statement of Claim be dismissed with costs (2) The Cross-Claim be dismissed with costs Catchwords: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION — Australian Consumer Law – unconscionability – misleading and deceptive conduct – defective work – budget report – unpaid invoices – quantum merit CONTRACT – cost-plus contract – breach of contract – implied terms – good faith – consequence of breach – damages ­– whether termination by acceptance of repudiation Legislation Cited: Australian Consumer Law ss 4, 18, 21, 22, 29 Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) ss 18B, 18F Cases Cited: ACCC v 4WD Systems Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 850; 59 IPR 435 ACCC v Allphones Retail Pty Ltd (No. 2) [2009] FCA 17; 253 ALR 324 ACCC v Lux Distributors Pty Ltd [2013] FCAFC 90; ATPR ¶42-447 Agricultural and Rural Finance Pty Ltd v Gardiner [2008] HCA 57; 238 CLR 570 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd [2020] FCAFC 130; 278 FCR 450 BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings [1977] UKPCHCA 1; 180 CLR 266 Campbell v Campbell [2015] NSWSC 784 Doepel & Associates Architects Pty Ltd v Hodgkinson [2008] WASCA 262 Foran v Wight [1989] HCA 51; 168 CLR 385 Gestmin SGPS S.A. v Credit Suisse (UK) Limited [2013] EWHC 3560 Howard v Pickford Tool Co [1951] 1 KB 417 Karacominakis v Big Country Developments Pty Ltd [2000] NSWCA 313; [2001] ANZ ConvR 513 Kimberley Developments Pty Ltd v Bale [2023] NSWCA 25 KKL Investments Pty Ltd v Daikyo (North Queensland) Pty Ltd [1995] QCA 25 Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council v Sanpine Pty Ltd [2007] HCA 61; 233 CLR 115 Kronenberg v Bridge [2014] TASFC 10; 26 Tas R 359 Lake Cumbeline Pty Ltd v Effem Foods Pty Ltd (trading as Uncle Ben's of Australia) [1995] FCA 451 Mann v Patterson Constructions Pty Ltd [2019] HCA 32; 267 CLR 560 Morris v Leaney [2022] NSWCA 257 North East Equity Pty Ltd v Proud Nominees Pty Ltd [2012] FCAFC 1; 285 ALR 217 Ogle v Comboyuro Investments Pty Ltd [1976] HCA 21; 136 CLR 444 Paciocco v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd [2015] FCAFC 50; 236 FCR 199 Perri v Coolangatta Investments Pty Ltd [1982] HCA 29; 149 CLR 537 Progressive Mailing House Pty Ltd v Tabali Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 14; 157 CLR 17 Roberts v Goodwin Street Developments Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 5 Shevill v Builders Licensing Board [1982] HCA 47; 149 CLR 620 Société Générale v Geys [2013] 1 AC 523 Stubbings v Jams 2 Pty Ltd [2022] HCA 6; 96 ALJR 271 Williams, William v Williams, William [2023] NSWDC 10 Woods v Woods [2000] NSWSC 851 Texts Cited: Mason K, Carter J, Tolhurst G, Mason and Carter's Restitution Law in Australia (4th Edition, 2021, LexisNexis) Seddon N, Bigwood R, Cheshire and Fifoot's Law of Contract (12th Ed, Aust Ed, 2023) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Matthew Schrader (First Plaintiff and Cross Defendant) Jacqueline Schrader (Second Plaintiff and Cross Defendant) David Broach (Defendant and Cross Claimant) Representation: Counsel: C Stomo (Plaintiffs and Cross Defendants) M Fraser (Defendant and Cross Claimant)