Freedom Development Group Pty Limited v D’Ettorre Properties Pty Limited T/as D’Ettorre Real Estate [2023] NSWCA 81

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Freedom Development Group Pty Limited v D'Ettorre Properties Pty Limited T/as D'Ettorre Real Estate [2023] NSWCA 81 Hearing dates: 4 April 2023 Date of orders: 26 April 2023 Decision date: 26 April 2023 Before: Gleeson JA at [1] Leeming JA at [86] Kirk JA at [87] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed. (2) Set aside orders 1 and 2 made in the District Court on 27 July 2022, and orders 1, 2 and 3 made in the District Court on 1 September 2022. (3) In lieu, order that the proceedings in the District Court be dismissed and the plaintiff pay the defendants' costs. (4) The respondent pay the appellants' costs in this Court. Catchwords: CONTRACTS — Real estate agent contract — Agent's claim for commission — Whether agent "effectively introduced" the purchaser — Where actual purchaser was a trustee – Where no evidence of beneficiaries of the trust – Whether sufficient causal connection between introduction of prospective purchaser and ultimate sale — Where sole director of prospective purchaser one of the directors of actual purchaser Legislation Cited: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2, Australian Consumer Law, ss 237, 243(e) Stamp Duties Act 1997 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 42.1 Cases Cited: ACCC v TPG Internet Pty Limited (2013) 250 CLR 640; [2013] HCA 54 Baker v Leonard Oades Pty Ltd [1964-5] NSWR 1745 Berben v Hedditch [1982] ANZ Conv R 535 Burchell v Gowrie and Blockhouse Collieries Ltd [1910] AC 614 Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Limited (2004) 218 CLR 592; [2004] HCA 60 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 238 CLR 304; [2009] HCA 25 Emmons Mount Gambier Pty Ltd v Specialist Solicitors Network Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 117 Hopper v D J Sincock Pty Ltd (2012) 107 NSWLR 153; [2021] NCWCA 305 LJ Hooker Ltd v WJ Adams Estates Pty Ltd (1977) 138 CLR 52; [1977] HCA 13 McBrayne v Imperial Loan Co (1913) 13 DLR 448 Miller & Associates Insurance Broking Pty Limited v BMW Australia Finance Limited (2010) 241 CLR 357; [2010] HCA 31 Moneywood Pty Limited v Salamon Nominees Pty Limited (2001) 202 CLR 351; [2001] HCA 2 Outerbridge (t/as Century 21 Plateau Lifestyle Real Estate) v Hall (2020) 102 NSWLR 921; [2020] NSWCA 205 Prestige Residential Marketing Pty Ltd v Depune Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 179 T P Carroll Realty Pty Ltd t/as LJ Hooker Neutral Bay v Moyes [1997] NSWCA 321 University of Wollongong v Metwally (1984) 158 CLR 447; [1984] HCA 74 Whisprun Pty Ltd v Dixon Pty Ltd (2003) 234 CLR 492; [2003] HCA 48 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Freedom Development Group Pty Limited (First appellant) Edward Fernon (Second appellant) D'Ettorre Properties Pty Limited T/as D'Ettorre Real Estate (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Cashion SC / Ms R Thrift (Appellants) Ms B Oliak (Respondent)