Akrawe v Culjak [2023] NSWCA 171

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Akrawe v Culjak [2023] NSWCA 171 Hearing dates: 28 March 2023 Date of orders: 27 July 2023 Decision date: 27 July 2023 Before: Bell CJ; Leeming JA; Mitchelmore JA Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: EQUITY — equitable remedies — specific performance — land — contract for the sale of real property — multiple agreements — failure to complete when time is of the essence — whether valid termination of contract — whether applicant was ready and willing to complete APPEALS — from exercise of discretion — whether failure to exercise discretion — no discretionary error of kind referred to in House v The King — relief against forfeiture of deposit — Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), s 55(2A) Legislation Cited: Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), s 55(2A) Cases Cited: Akins v National Australia Bank (1994) 34 NSWLR 155 Bahr v Nicolay (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 604; [1988] HCA 16 Culjak v Akrawe [2022] NSWSC 949 Havyn Pty Ltd v Webster [2005] NSWCA 182; (2005) 12 BPR 22,837 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Lee v Lee (2019) 266 CLR 129; [2019] HCA 28 Lucas & Tait (Investments) Pty Ltd v Victoria Securities Ltd [1973] 2 NSWLR 268 Luu v Sovereign Developments Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 40; (2006) 12 BPR 23,629 Nassif v Caminer (2009) 74 NSWLR 276; [2009] NSWCA 45 Omar v El-Wakil [2001] EWCA Civ 1090; [2002] P & CR 36 Romanos v Pentagold Investments Pty Ltd (2003) 217 CLR 367; [2003] HCA 58 Searle v Commonwealth of Australia (2019) 100 NSWLR 55; [2019] NSWCA 127 Stokes v Toyne [2023] NSWCA 59 Tanwar Enterprises Pty Ltd v Cauchi (2003) 217 CLR 315; [2003] HCA 57 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Behnam Said Akrawe (Appellant) Margaret Marita Culjak (First Respondent) Ante Culjak (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: S Y Reuben (Appellant) M Lozina (Respondents)