Nguyen v Northern Sydney Local Health District (No 2) [2024] NSWSC 1533

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Nguyen v Northern Sydney Local Health District (No 2) [2024] NSWSC 1533 Hearing dates: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 November 2024 Date of orders: 12 November 2024 Decision date: 29 November 2024 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Parker J Decision: See [167] Catchwords: CONTRACTS — breach of contract — biomedical invention developed in government-funded health research institute — commercialisation agreement between institute and one of the four inventors — conditional obligation to re-assign patents if "suitable commercialisation deal" not reached within specified period — re-assignment offer from inventor — whether conditions satisfied — failure to re-assign — loss of opportunity — proof of damages — obligation to use best endeavours to arrange continuing employment of inventor — breach — damage Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Cases Cited: Akierman Holdings Pty Limited v Akerman (No 3); In the matter of Akierman Holdings Pty Limited (No 2) [2021] NSWSC 869 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (1973) 129 CLR 99 Doppstadt Australia Pty Ltd v Lovick & Son Developments Pty Ltd (No 2) [2014] NSWCA 219 Nguyen v Northern Sydney Local Health District [2024] NSWSC 1299 Waters v PC Henderson (Australia) Pty Ltd [1994] NSWCA 338 Texts Cited: Nil. Category: Principal judgment Parties: Principal proceeding Tommie Tue Gia Nguyen (Plaintiff) Northern Sydney Local Health District (First Defendant) State of New South Wales (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: D Larish/ J A McKenna (First and Third Defendants)