The Owners Strata Plan 64757 v Sydney Remedial Builders Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 1127

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: The Owners Strata Plan 64757 v Sydney Remedial Builders Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 1127 Hearing dates: 12 September 2023 Date of orders: 18 September 2023 Decision date: 18 September 2023 Jurisdiction: Equity - Technology and Construction List Before: Rees J Decision: Proceedings dismissed with costs. Catchwords: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION — builder retained to repair defects caused by original builder — whether proceedings for breach of statutory warranty commenced within 7 years after completion of work — s18E, Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) — date of completion of work — s3B, Home Building Act — legislative history – distinction between completion and practical completion – meaning of "completion" — interaction between s3B(2) and (3). REFEREE — separate question — whether to adopt report — error of law in application of section 3B — failed to consider when contractor last attended site to carry out work under section 3B(3)(b) — final date on which contractor attended site was earlier than date of practical completion under section 3B(2) — the earliest date applies — proceedings out of time. Legislation Cited: Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) ss 3B, 18E Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 NSW r 24.24(a) Cases Cited: Abrahams v Degan [2009] NSWDC 315 Bailey v Owners Corporation of Strata Plan 62666 [2011] NSWCA 293 Chocolate Factory Apartments Ltd v Westpoint Finance Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 784 Cordon Investments Pty Ltd v Lesdor Properties Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 184; (2013) 29 BCL 329 Howell v Talevski [2021] NSWSC 1133 Owners Strata Plan 62930 v Kell & Rigby Holdings Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 612 Peter Holmes Investments Pty Ltd v S&C Nicola Pty Ltd (No 2) [2022] NSWSC 1215 Stevenson v Ashton [2019] NSWSC 1689 Super Pty Ltd v SJP Formwork (Aust) Pty Ltd (1992) 29 NSWLR 549 The Owners – Strata Plan 64757 v MJA Group Pty Ltd (2011) 81 NSWLR 426; [2011] NSWCA 236 The Owners – Strata Plan No 74602 v Brookfield Australia Investments Ltd [2015] NSWSC 1916 Vero Insurance Ltd v Kasem [2011] NSWCA 381; (2011) 86 ACSR 607 Vero Insurance Ltd v Nicejade Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 556 Texts Cited: Damien Cremean et al, Brooking on Building Contracts (LexisNexis Butterworths, 6th ed, 2020) Phillip Bambagiotti, Building Disputes & the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) (Thomson Reuters, 2012) Category: Procedural rulings Parties: The Owners – Strata Plan 64757 (Plaintiff) Sydney Remedial Builders Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr IG Robert SC / Ms B Anderson (Plaintiff) Mr WG Muddle SC / Mr JJ Young (Defendant)