Bentancur v Mammoliti [2024] NSWDC 201

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Bentancur v Mammoliti [2024] NSWDC 201 Hearing dates: 21-24 May 2024 Date of orders: 4 June 2024 Decision date: 04 June 2024 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Abadee DCJ Decision: See paragraph [253] Catchwords: CONTRACTS – supply by specialist automotive mechanic of services for restoration of Mercedes Benz 230 SL Pagoda motor vehicle – scope of the works – parties agree that, as a minimum, scope of works included supplier rebuilding engine to the vehicle – implied term to complete rebuild of works within a reasonable time – whether contract validly terminated by customer for delay in performance – whether cost of third party's services to install substitute engine in vehicle was compensable – whether loss caused by breach – whether loss too remote – whether costs not reasonably incurred – asserted damage to paintwork whilst vehicle was in supplier's possession DAMAGES – customer engages third party to install a substitute engine into Vehicle – loss of bargain damages – whether monies paid to supplier recoverable as wasted expenditure – whether damage to external paintwork compensable Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B, 5A Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Arsalan v Rixon (2021) 274 CLR 606 Baltic Shipping Co v Dillon (1993) 176 CLR 344 Carr v JA Berriman (1953) 89 CLR 327 Cessnock City Council v 123 259 932 Pty Ltd [2024] HCA 17 Glebe Island Terminals v Continental Seagram Pty Ltd (1993) 40 NSWLR 206 Hadley v Baxendale (1854) 156 ER 145 In the matter of Qenos Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) [2024] NSWSC 482 Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council v Sanpine (2007) 233 CLR 115 Krupowicz & Anor v CTTT & Anor [2003] NSWSC Laurinda Pty Ltd v Capalba Park Shopping Centre Pty Ltd (1989) 166 CLR 623 Luna Park (NSW) Limited v Tramways Advertising Proprietary Limited (1938) 38 SR (NSW) 632 Robinson v Harman (1848) 154 ER 363 Sanpine v Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council [2006] NSWCA 291 Sindel v Georgiou (1984) 55 ALR 1 Topaloglu v UPS SCS (Australia) Pty Ltd [2011] QSC 217 Texts Cited: J Carter, Breach of Contract (LexisNexis Butterworths, 2011) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Mr Danys Bentancur (Plaintiff) Mr Giovanni John Mammoliti (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr T Cleary (Plaintiff) Ms C Langford (Defendant)