Smart Distribution Services Pty Ltd v General Wholesale Pty Ltd [2009] NSWDC 274

New South Wales District Court

CITATION: Smart Distribution Services Pty Ltd v General Wholesale Pty Ltd [2009] NSWDC 274

HEARING DATE(S): 29/07/09 - 30/07/09

JUDGMENT DATE: 27 October 2009

JURISDICTION: Civil

JUDGMENT OF: Bozic SC DCJ

CATCHWORDS: CONTRACT - Termination - whether contract terminated orally in February 2008 or in writing in May 2008 - whether conduct sufficiently unequivocal to amount to termination - CONTRACT - Construction of terms - meaning of "wholesale sale" - whether sale takes place upon placing of purchase order or upon passing of title to goods

Brambles Holdings Pty Limited v Bathurst City Council [2001] NSWCA 61; (2001) 53 NSWLR 153 Codelfa Construction Pty Limited v State Rail Authority of New South Wales [1982] HCA 24; (1982) 149 CLR 337 Hide and Skin Trading Pty Limited v Oceanic Meat Traders Limited (1990) 20 NSWLR 310 International Air Transport Association v Ansett Australia Holidays Limited [2008] HCA 3; (2008) 234 CLR 151 CASES CITED: Mannai Investment Co Limited v Eagle Star Life Assurance Co Limited [1997] AC 749 Pacific Carriers Limited v BNP Paribas [2004] HCA 35; (2004) 218 CLR 451; Sagacious Procurement Pty Limited v Symbion Health Ltd (formerly Mayne Group Limited [2008] NSWCA 149 Sargent v ASL Developments Limited [1974] HCA 40; (1974) 131 CLR 634 Toll (FGCT) Pty Limited v Alphapharm Pty Limited [2004] HCA 52; (2004) 219 CLR 164

TEXTS CITED: Cross on Evidence, 7th Aust ed (2004)

PARTIES: Smart Distribution Services Pty Ltd (plaintiff) General Wholesale Pty Ltd (defendant)

FILE NUMBER(S): 4244/08

COUNSEL: Mr N Chen (plaintiff) Mr S Bell (defendant)