Bhatt v YTO Construction Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 318

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Bhatt v YTO Construction Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 318 Hearing dates: 2 June 2023 Date of orders: 15 December 2023 Decision date: 15 December 2023 Before: Mitchelmore JA at [1] Kirk JA at [104] Adamson JA at [105] Decision: (1) Grant leave to the appellant to rely on the further evidence identified in the affidavit of James Pope sworn on 19 May 2023. (2) Appeal allowed. (3) The orders of the District Court made on 18 August 2022 be set aside, and in lieu thereof, order that the Amended Statement of Claim be dismissed. (4) The respondent pay the appellant's costs at first instance and on appeal. Catchwords: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION — adjudication — adjudication application — misleading deceptive conduct for purpose of s 18 of Australian Consumer Law — whether representations made by claimant to adjudicator in application is conduct in trade or commerce Legislation Cited: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), ss 3, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 32 Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Regulation 2020 (NSW), cl 19 Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 56 The Commonwealth Constitution, s 109 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Pt XI; Sch 2 – Australian Consumer Law, ss 2, 18, 236 District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 127 Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW), s 32 Cases Cited: Aardwolf Industries LLC v Tayeh [2020] NSWCA 301 Concrete Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594; [1990] HCA 17 Bank of New South Wales v The Commonwealth (1948) 76 CLR 1 at 381; [1948] HCA 7 Bitannia Pty Ltd v Parkline Constructions Pty Ltd (2006) 67 NSWLR 9; [2006] NSWCA 238 Chase Oyster Bar Pty Ltd v Hamo Industries Pty Ltd (2010) 78 NSWLR 393; [2010] NSWCA 190 Energetech Australia Pty Ltd v Sides Engineering Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 1143; 226 ALR 362 Falgat Constructions Pty Ltd v Equity Australia Corporation Pty Ltd (2005) 62 NSWLR 385; [2005] NSWCA 49 Grocon Constructors Pty Ltd v Planit Cocciardi Joint Venture (No 2) (2009) 26 VR 172; [2009] VSC 426; In the matter of Orix Australia Corporation Limited [2020] NSWSC 1770 Little v Law Institute of Victoria (No 3) [1990] VR 257 Obeid Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2014) 226 FCR 471; [2014] FCAFC 155 Pertzel v QLD Paulownia Forests Ltd [2008] 2 Qd R 526; [2008] QCA 287 Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Ltd (1981) 147 CLR 589; [1981] HCA 45 Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Limited v Shade Systems Limited [2018] NSWSC 540 Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Shade Systems Pty Ltd (2018) 264 CLR 1; [2018] HCA 4 Village Building Company Ltd v Canberra International Airport Pty Ltd (2004) 139 FCR 330; [2004] FCAFC 240 YTO Construction Pty Ltd v Innovative Civil Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 1354 YTO Construction Pty Ltd v Innovative Civil Pty Ltd [2019] NSWCA 110 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ashish Bhatt (Appellant) YTO Construction Pty Ltd (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: M Christie SC / J Smith (Appellant) M R Pesman SC / A Girgis (Respondent)