WIB Australia Pty Ltd v Bi [2023] NSWDC 571

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: WIB Australia Pty Ltd v Bi [2023] NSWDC 571 Hearing dates: 31 October 2023; 1-2 November 2023; 9 November 2023 (plaintiff's submissions); 16 November 2023 (defendant's submissions); 23 November 2023 (plaintiff's submissions in reply); 7 December 2023 (oral submissions) Date of orders: 15 December 2023 Decision date: 15 December 2023 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Dicker SC DCJ Decision: (1) Verdict and judgment for the defendants. (2) The Statement of Claim proceedings are dismissed. (3) Leave to the parties to apply to the Court and to approach the Associate to Dicker DCJ within 7 days to relist the matter for argument in relation to costs. Catchwords: LOAN AGREEMENTS – whether two defendants executed loan agreements, drawdown notices and consents to caveat – if either or both of the defendants signed the documents in question, what is the consequence of their execution – whether advances made to or at the direction of the two defendants or either of them – what judgment amount could be entered against each defendant CONTRACT – whether loan agreements are void for uncertainty – whether court should otherwise refuse to enforce the loan agreements – effect of Deed of Settlement and Release and payment received EQUITY – unconscionable conduct – special disability or disadvantage – whether plaintiff had knowledge Legislation Cited: Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth) Contracts Review Act 1980 (NSW) Land Title Act 1994 (Qld) Cases Cited: Blomley v Ryan (1956) 99 CLR 362 Boncristiano v Lohmann [1998] 4 VR 82 Caterjian v Parfit Investments Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 178 Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd v Amadio [1983] HCA 14; (1983) 151 CLR 447 Croucher v Cachia [2016] NSWCA 132 Ecosse Property Holdings Pty Ltd v Gee Dee Nominees Pty Ltd [2017] HCA 12; (2018) 261 CLR 544 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kakavas v Crown Melbourne Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 392 Kowalczuk v Accom Finance [2008] NSWCA 343 Lauvan Pty Ltd v Bega [2018] NSWSC 154 Lazarus v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [2015] NSWSC 426 Magann v The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Parramatta [2020] NSWCA 167 Meehan v Jones (1982) 149 CLR 571 Misan v Markham Real Estate Partners (KSW) Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 51 Newell; Muraniti v De Costi [2018] NSWCA 49 Nitopi v Nitopi [2022] NSWCA 162 Payne v Parker [1976] 1 NSWLR 191 Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd v Khoshaba [2006] NSWCA 41 Sangha v Baxter [2009] NSWCA 78 The J & P Marlow (No 2) Pty Ltd v Joseph Haynes [2023] NSWCA 117 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165; [2004] HCA 52 Turner v Windever [2005] NSWCA 73 Upper Hunter County District Council v Australian Chilling & Freezing Co Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 429 Wu v Ling [2016] NSWCA 322 Category: Principal judgment Parties: WIB Australia Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Shainaz Bi (First Defendant) Shabnum Begum (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Daniels (Plaintiff) G Radcliff (First and Second Defendants)