Clough v Breen (No. 4) [2023] NSWSC 1155

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Clough v Breen (No. 4) [2023] NSWSC 1155 Hearing dates: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19 May, 14 June, 11 July, 1 August, 19 December 2022, 20 February, 19, 28 April, 4 May 2023, and 3 July 2023. Date of orders: 31 August 2023 Decision date: 22 September 2023 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Slattery J Decision: See paragraph [247] Catchwords: LAND LAW – easements – substantial interference with rights under easements – neighbouring properties have reciprocal benefits and burdens under easements to enable shared use of inclinator and rights of foot access – instrument creating easements adopts the definitions provided for in Conveyancing Act 1919 Schedule 8, Part 11 – Easement for Services and Part 14 – Right of Access – complex and protracted dispute in relation to the use of easements for the use of the inclinator, the supply of services, and rights of pedestrian access – allegations of excessive use of easements and trespass beyond the boundaries of the designated easements and obstruction of or interference with the use of easements occasioning nuisance, in a series of eight incidents – whether the conduct of the parties amounts to a substantial interference with the rights of the other parties under the easements or a trespass upon the servient tenement. LAND LAW – EASEMENTS – Particular easements – right of access – easement for services – construction of easements – general principles of construction – instrument creating easements adopts the definitions provided for in Conveyancing Act 1919 Schedule 8, Part 11 – Easement for Services and Part 14 – Right of Access – whether these statutory easements permit the dominant tenement owner to enter the servient tenement outside the boundary of the easement for any purpose, and if so to what extent. Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 26 Conveyancing Act 1919, ss 88B, 88K, 181A, Sch 8, Pt 11, Pt 14 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Real Property Act 1990 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 28.2 Work Health & Safety Act 2011 Cases Cited: Alma v Nakir [1966] 2 NSWR 396 Andriopoulos v Marshall (1981) BPR 9391 Breen v Clough [2017] NSWSC 1681 Breen v Clough (No. 2) [2018] NSWSC 158 Breen v Clough [2018] NSWCA 172 Bullard v Harrison (1815) 4 M & S 387; 105 ER 877 (KB) Clough v Breen [2020] NSWSC 653 Clough v Breen & Anor [2022] NSWSC 1026 Clough v Breen & Anor (No. 2) [2022] NSWSC 1759 Clough v Breen & Anor (No. 3) [2023] NSWSC 752 Hare v van Brugge (2013) 84 NSWLR 41; [2013] NSWCA 74 Hemmes Hermitage Pty Ltd v Abdurahman (1991) 22 NSWLR 343 Ingram v Morecraft (1863) 33 Beav 49 at 52; 55 ER 284 Maurice Toltz Pty Ltd v Macy's Emporium Pty Ltd [1970] 1 NSWLR 474 McDowall v Reynolds [2004] QCA 245 Milner's Safe Co Ltd v Great Northern and City Rail Co (1907) 1 Ch. 208 Moreland Timber Co v Reid [1946] VLR 237 Powell v Langdon (1944) 45 SR (NSW) 136 Prospect County Council v Cross (1990) 21 NSWLR 601 Selby v Nettlefold (1873) LR 9 Ch App 111 Sertari Pty Ltd v Narimba Developments Pty Ltd (2008) NSW ConvR 56-200; [2007] NSWCA 324 Westfield Management Limited v Perpetual Trustee Company Limited (2007) 233 CLR 528; [2007] HCA 45 Texts Cited: Bradbrook and Neave's, Easements and Restrictive Covenants, A.J Bradbrooke and SV MacCallum, LexisNexis Butterworths Australia 2011 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant: Christine May Clough First Defendant/Cross-Claimant: Douglas Martin Breen Second Defendant/Cross-Claimant: Tracey Jane Dillon Representation: Counsel: Plaintiff/Cross-Defendant: Mr D. O'Connor; Ms C. Langford Defendant/Cross-Claimants: Mr F. Maghami; Mr M. McGirr