Medical Device Technologies Pty Ltd v Health Administration Corporation [2023] NSWSC 602

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Medical Device Technologies Pty Ltd v Health Administration Corporation [2023] NSWSC 602 Hearing dates: 27 – 28 February, 1 – 3, 6 – 7, 13 – 17, 21, 27 – 29 March, 5 April, 3 – 4 May 2023 Date of orders: 07 June 2023 Decision date: 07 June 2023 Jurisdiction: Equity - Commercial List Before: Stevenson J Decision: Defendant's purchase order terms and conditions not incorporated into the agreements; no sale by description under s 18 of the Sale of Goods Act 1923 (NSW); ventilators not fit for purpose under s 19 of the Sale of Goods Act; plaintiff engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct for the purpose of s 18 of the Australian Consumer Law; plaintiff to repay $10.395 million Catchwords: CONTRACTS — express terms — incorporation of terms — whether purchaser's standard terms and conditions incorporated by reference into contract CONSUMER LAW — sale of goods – respiratory ventilators – whether goods were accepted — whether there was a sale by description – whether purchaser made known particular purpose for which ventilators were required – whether there was an implied condition as to fitness for purpose – whether ventilators were suitable for use in any clinical setting CONSUMER LAW – misleading or deceptive conduct – whether vendor made misleading or deceptive representations in ventilator user manual brochure – whether vendor provided purchaser user manual brochure as an intermediary or principal Legislation Cited: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2 – Australian Consumer Law Health Administration Act 1982 (NSW) Sale of Goods Act 1923 (NSW) Cases Cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2020) 278 FCR 450; [2020] FCAFC 130 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 640; [2013] HCA 54 BH Australia Constructions Pty Ltd v Kapeller (2019) 100 NSWLR 367; [2019] NSWSC 1086 Brambles Holdings Limited v Bathurst City Council (2001) 53 NSWLR 153; [2001] NSWCA 61 Branir Pty Ltd v Owston Nominees (No 2) Pty Ltd (2001) 117 FCR 424; [2001] FCA 1833 Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Ltd (2004) 218 CLR 592; [2004] HCA 60 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 238 CLR 304; [2009] HCA 25 Campomar Sociedad, Limitada v Nike International Limited (2000) 202 CLR 45; [2000] HCA 12 Carnival plc v Karpik (The Ruby Princess) [2022] FCAFC 149 County Securities Pty Limited v Challenger Group Holdings Pty Limited & Anor [2008] NSWCA 193 Dialogue Consulting Pty Ltd v Instagram, Inc (2020) 291 FCR 155; [2020] FCA 1846 Gardam v George Wills & Co Limited [1988] FCA 289 Gibson v Manchester City Council [1979] 1 All ER 972 Global Sportsman Pty Ltd v Mirror Newspapers Pty Ltd (1984) 2 FCR 82; [1984] FCA 180 Gonzalez v Agoda Company Pte Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1133 Google Inc v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2013) 249 CLR 435; [2013] HCA 1 Grant v Australian Knitting Mills Limited (1935) 54 CLR 49; [1936] AC 85 Hornsby Building Information Centre Pty Ltd v Sydney Building Information Centre Ltd (1978) 140 CLR 216; [1978] HCA 11 Husain v O & S Holdings (Vic) Pty Ltd [2005] VSCA 269 Integrated Computer Services Pty Ltd v Digital Equipment Corp (Aust) Pty Ltd (1988) 5 BPR 11,110 Noone (Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria) v Operation Smile (Australia) Inc (2012) 38 VR 569; [2012] VSCA 91 Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191; [1982] HCA 44 Re Australian Organic Eggs Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 747 Taco Co of Australia Inc v Taco Bell Pty Ltd (1982) 42 ALR 177 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Medical Device Technologies Pty Ltd (Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant) Health Administration Corporation (Defendant/Cross-Claimant) Representation: Counsel: J R Clarke SC with T J Kane (Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant) D B Studdy SC with C Ernst (Defendant/Cross-Claimant)