In the matter of Sirrah Pty Ltd (in liq) [2024] NSWSC 784

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: In the matter of Sirrah Pty Ltd (in liq) [2024] NSWSC 784 Hearing dates: 21 June 2024 Date of orders: 26 June 2024 Decision date: 26 June 2024 Jurisdiction: Equity - Corporations List Before: Black J Decision: Leave to distribute surplus granted; order to be made for release of liquidator and deregistration of company but that order deferred. Catchwords: CORPORATIONS — Winding up — Liquidators — Grant of leave to distribute a surplus — application of rule in Cherry v Boultbee — order for release of liquidator and deregistration of company. Legislation Cited: - Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth), s 58 - Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), s 12 - Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss 471B, 480, 488(2), 553C - Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth), regs 5.6.56, 5.6.71 - Evidence Act 1995, s 136 - Insolvency Practice Rules (Corporations) 2016 (Cth), r 75-130(4)(b) - Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations), s 95-15 - Supreme Court (Corporations) Rules 1999 (NSW), r 7.5 Cases Cited: - Australian Securities Commission v Marlborough Gold Mines Ltd (1993) 177 CLR 485 - Cherry v Boultbee 4 Myl & Cr 442; (1839) 41 ER 171 - Elder's Trustee and Executor Co Ltd v Commonwealth Homes and Investment Co Ltd (1941) 65 CLR 603; [1941] HCA 31 - Fused Electrics Pty Ltd (in liq) v Donald [1995] Qd R 7 - Harman v Home Department State Secretary [1983] 1 AC 280; [1982] 1 All ER 532; [1982] 2 WLR 338 - Harris v Harris [2021] NSWCA 329 - HBSY Pty Ltd v Lewis (2022) 108 NSWLR 558; [2022] NSWSC 841 - Ming Tian Real Property Pty Ltd v SGS Platinum Pty Ltd (2020) 145 ACSR 329; [2020] NSWSC 212 - Otis Elevator Co Pty Ltd v Guide Rails Pty Ltd (in liq) & Ors (2004) 49 ACSR 531; [2004] NSWSC 383 - Penson v Palmer [2018] FCA 1202 - Porter v Computer Based Technology Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 476 - Re Anglican Development Fund Diocese of Bathurst (recs and mgrs apptd) [2015] NSWSC 440 - Re Anne Lewis Pty Ltd [2016] NSWSC 1860 - Re Better Drums Pty Ltd (in liq) [2019] NSWSC 1262 - Re Broens Pty Ltd (in liq) [2018] NSWSC 1747 - Re Computer Room Solutions Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 845 - Re Condon; Ex parte James (1874) LR 9 Ch App 609 - Re D & D Corak Investments Pty Limited (in liq) [2020] NSWSC 1197 - Re Force Corp Pty Ltd (in liq) (2020) 149 ACSR 451; [2020] NSWSC 1842 - Re Hawden Property Group Pty Ltd (in liq) (2018) 125 ACSR 355; [2018] NSWSC 481 - Re Hillsea Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 1593 - Re Octaviar Administration Pty Ltd (in liq) [2017] NSWSC 1556 - Re Peruvian Railway Construction Company Ltd [1915] 2 Ch 14 - Re Primespace Property Investment Ltd (In Liq) [2018] NSWSC 919 - Re RR Impex Ltd (in liq) [2013] NSWSC 1667 - Re Sirrah Pty Ltd (in liq) (2021) 152 ACSR 212; [2021] NSWSC 413 - Re Sirrah Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 2) [2021] NSWSC 1326 - Re Sirrah Pty Ltd (in prov liq) [2021] NSWSC 492 - Sargent v ASL Developments Ltd (1974) 131 CLR 634; [1974] HCA 40 - Stephens v Venables (1862) 30 Beav 625; (1862) 54 ER 1032 - Wiltrading (WA) Pty Ltd v Lumley General Insurance Ltd (2005) 30 WAR 290; [2005] WASCA 106 Texts Cited: Derham, S R, The Law of Set-Off (Oxford University Press, 4th ed, 2010) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Alan John Hayes in his capacity as liquidator of Sirrah Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) (Plaintiff) Harris Health Care Pty Ltd (Receivers and Managers appointed) (In Liquidation) (First Defendant) Gregory Thomas Harris and Monica Mary Brown as Executors of the Estate of the Late Aileen Joyce Harris (Second Defendants) The Bankrupt Estate of William Francis Harris (Third Defendant) Michelle Joy Harris (Fourth Defendant) Representation: Counsel: B F Katekar SC/J R Anderson (Plaintiff) A F Fernon SC/B Nolan (First Defendant) G Carolan (Second Defendant)