Parkview Constructions Pty Ltd v The Owners – Strata Plan No 90018 [2023] NSWCA 66

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Parkview Constructions Pty Ltd v The Owners – Strata Plan No 90018 [2023] NSWCA 66 Hearing dates: 2 March 2023 Decision date: 17 April 2023 Before: Ward P at [1]; Leeming JA at [2]; Simpson AJA at [108] Decision: 1. Grant leave to appeal to Parkview. 2. Direct Parkview to file a notice of appeal in accordance with the draft notice of appeal but otherwise dispense with the rules as to service. 3. Appeal dismissed. 4. Dismiss the summons filed by The Quay. 5. Parkview and The Quay to pay the costs of the Owners Corporation of the proceedings in this Court. 6. The Quay to pay half of Parkview's costs of filing the notice of appeal. Catchwords: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION – residential building work – statutory warranties under Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) – claims by owners corporation against builder and developer – whether claims statutory or contractual – whether single cause of action for breach of contract – whether amendments to introduce new defects more than six years after completion of building work should be permitted – consideration of Onerati v Phillips Constructions Pty Ltd (in liq) (1989) 16 NSWLR 730 holding that builder had res judicata defence when owners sought to raise further defects – consideration of amendments overturning result in Onerati – legislative amendments did not alter nature of claim for breach of contract – appeal from decision permitting owners corporation's amendments dismissed Legislation Cited: Australian Consumer Law, ss 18, 236 Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, Pts 1A, 2, 3, 4 Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 56, 64, 65, 100, 101 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss 181-183, 1317H, 1324 Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW), s 37 Frustrated Contracts Act 1978 (NSW) Home Building Act 1989 (NSW), ss 3C, 18A, 18B, 18BA, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18G, Pt 2C Home Building Amendment (Statutory Warranties) Act 2006 (NSW) Home Building Amendment (Warranties and Insurance) Act 2010 (NSW), Sch 1, items [2] and [3] Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), s 33 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), s 14(1)(a) Restraints of Trade Act 1976 (NSW) Strata Schemes (Freehold Development) Act 1973 (NSW), s 18 Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 (NSW), s 11 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 75A Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 36.16, 51.53 Cases Cited: Agtrack (NT) Pty Ltd v Hatfield (2005) 223 CLR 251; [2005] HCA 38 Ancient Order of Foresters in Victoria Friendly Society Ltd v Lifeplan Australia Friendly Society Ltd (2018) 265 CLR 1; [2018] HCA 43 Bandelle Pty Ltd v Sydney Capitol Hotels Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 303 Baron Corporation Pty Ltd v Owners of Strata Plan 69567 [2013] NSWCA 238 Berowra Holdings Pty Ltd v Gordon (2006) 225 CLR 364; [2006] HCA 32 Bridge Shipping Pty Ltd v Grand Shipping SA (1991) 173 CLR 231; [1991] HCA 45 Cassaniti v Ball as liquidator of RCG CBD Pty Ltd (in liq) and related matters; Khalil v Ball as liquidator of Diamondwish Pty Ltd (in liq) and related matters [2022] NSWCA 161 CGU Insurance Ltd v Watson (as trustee of the deed of arrangement in respect of Greaves) [2007] NSWCA 301 Conquer v Boot [1928] 2 KB 336 CSR Ltd v Eddy (2005) 226 CLR 1; [2005] HCA 64 Davis v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2023] HCA 10 Dymocks Book Arcade Pty Ltd v Capral Ltd (formerly Alcan Australia Ltd) [2011] NSWSC 1423 Greater Lithgow City Council v Wolfenden [2007] NSWCA 180 H E Daniels Ld v Carmel Exporters and Importers Ld [1953] 2 QB 242 Honeywood as Executrix of the Estate of the late Neville Honeywood v Munnings (2006) 67 NSWLR 466; [2006] NSWCA 215 Horton v Jones (No 2) (1939) 39 SR (NSW) 305 Onerati v Phillips Constructions Pty Ltd (in liq) (1989) 16 NSWLR 730 Parsons v George [2004] EWCA Civ 912; [2004] 3 All ER 633 Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Ltd (1981) 147 CLR 589; [1981] HCA 45 Renowden v McMullin (1970) 123 CLR 584; [1970] HCA 24 Republic of India v India Steamship Co [1993] AC 410 Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association Ltd v Trollope & Colls (City) Ltd (1986) 33 BLR 77; 6 Con LR 11 The Owners – Strata Plan 70030 v Decon Australia [2016] NSWSC 19 The Owners – Strata Plan 76841 v Ceerose Pty Ltd [2016] NSWSC 1545 The Owners – Strata Plan 86807 v Crown Group Constructions Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 44 The Owners – Strata Plan No 89005 v Stromer [2021] NSWSC 853 The Owners – Strata Plan No 90018 v Parkview Constructions Pty Ltd [2022] NSWSC 1123 The Owners Corporation Strata Plan 64757 v MJA Group Pty Ltd (2011) 81 NSWLR 426; [2011] NSWCA 236 Thompson v Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 574; [1996] HCA 38 Tomlinson v Ramsey Food Processing Pty Ltd (2015) 256 CLR 507; [2015] HCA 28 Trentelman v The Owners – Strata Plan No 76700 (2021) 106 NSWLR 227; [2021] NSWCA 242 Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd v Zodiac Seats UK Ltd (formerly Contour Aerospace Ltd) [2014] AC 160; [2013] UKSC 46 Weldon v Neal (1887) 19 QBD 394 Wollongong Coal Ltd v Gujarat NRE India Pty Ltd (2019) 100 NSWLR 432; [2019] NSWCA 135 Zavodnyik v Alex Constructions Pty Ltd (2005) 67 NSWLR 457; [2005] NSWCA 438 Texts Cited: Practice Note SC EQ 3 V Palmer, The Paths to Privity: The History of Third Party Beneficiary Contracts at English Law (Austin & Winfield, 1992) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Parkview Constructions Pty Ltd (Applicant) The Owners – Strata Plan No 90018 (First Respondent) The Quay Haymarket Pty Ltd (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: M Ashurst SC with L Corbett (Applicant) G Sirtes SC with D Hand (First Respondent) S Docker (Second Respondent)