Johnson Controls Australia Pty Ltd v Alliance Group Building Services Pty Ltd [2007] NSWDC 277

New South Wales District Court

CITATION: Johnson Controls Australia Pty Ltd v Alliance Group Building Services Pty Ltd [2007] NSWDC 277

HEARING DATE(S): 27,28 February, 1,2,3,6,7,9,10,13,14,15,17,20,22,24 March, 2006; 25 August, 29 September, 13 October, 2006 (mentions); 6,7,8,9,10 November, 2006; 29,30 January, 2007; 2, 3 and 12 April, 1 June 2007 (mentions); 22 August 2007 (final submissions and evidence); 12 September 2007 (judgment)

JUDGMENT DATE: 12 September 2007

JURISDICTION: Civil

JUDGMENT OF: Knox SC DCJ

DECISION: 1. The report and recommendations of the referee are adopted save and except the recommendations as to the amount recommended and interest on the amount recommended on the cross-claim; 2. The statement of claim is dismissed; 3. Judgment on the cross-claim by Alliance in the sum of $358,293 together with interest thereon from 30 June, 1998 to 18 April, 2002; 4. The parties may file any evidence on which they may rely in relation to costs within seven days of these orders together with any written submissions on costs only covering relevant matters which are additional to the matters already set out in the parties' submissions on costs.

CATCHWORDS: Whether referee's report should be adopted or rejected - Contract - Repudiation - Delay - Waiver - Claim for damages - Self-represented litigant

Uniform Civil Procedure Act 2005 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 LEGISLATION CITED: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1997 (Cth) District Court Act 1973 Legal Profession Act 2004

Super Pty Ltd v SJB Formwork (Aust) Pty Ltd (1992) 29 NSWLR 549 Starcevich v Swart and Associates Pty Ltd (2007) NSWSC 86 Ask Business Solutions Pty Ltd v Dib [2005] NSWSC 1000 Bay Marine Pty Ltd v Clayton Country Properties Pty Ltd (1986) 8 NSWLR 104 Abram v Bank of New Zealand [1996] ATPR 41-507 McPherson v R (1981) 37 ALR 81 Expectation Pty Ltd v PRD Realty Pty Limited [2004] FCAFC 189 Sanpine Pty Ltd v Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council and anor [2006] NSWCA 291 Majik Markets Pty Ltd v S&M Motor Repairs Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 49 Buckley & anor v Bennell Design & Constructions (1978) 140 CLR 1 Xuereb & ors v Viola & ors (1989) 18 NSWLR 453 Homebush Abattoir Corporation v Bermria Pty Ltd (1991) 22 NSWLR 605 Skinner & Edwards (Builders) Pty Ltd v Australian Telecommunications Corporation (1992) 27 NSWLR 567 A&P Parkes Constructions Pty Ltd v Como Hotel Holdings (2004) NSWSC 588 Ryde City Council v Tourtouras [2007] NSWCA 218 Hughes Brothers Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (unreported, 17 August 1994) 55011/1991 CASES CITED: Foxman Holdings Pty Limited v NMBE Pty Limited (1994) 38 NSWLR 615 Chloride Batteries Australia Ltd v Glendale Chemical Products Pty Ltd (1988) 17 NSWLR 60 Renard Constructions (ME) Pty Limited v Minister for Public Works (1992) 26 NSWLR 234 Burger King Corporation v Hungry Jack's Pty Limited [2001] NSWCA 187 Integer Computing Pty Ltd v Facom Australian Ltd (Vic SC unrep. 10 April, 1987) Collins Hill Group Ltd v Trollope Silverwood and Beck Pty Ltd [2002] VSCA 205 Vodafone Pacific Ltd v Mobile Innovations Ltd [20-23 October 2003, 20 February 2004] unreported, NSWCA) Ankar Pty Ltd & Arnick Holdings Ltd v National Westminster Finance (Australia) Ltd (1987) 162 CLR 549 Hoenig v Isaacs [1952] 2 All ER 176 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Access Services Group Pty Ltd v McLoughlin [2006] NSWSC 532 Elspan v Eurocopter [1999] NSWSC 55 Nais v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2005) 223 ALR 171; Rajski v Scitec Corp Pty Ltd (CA) unrep. 16 June 1986 Bennett v Jones [1977] 2 NSWLR 355 Antonio Rosiaio Oliveira v Peter Favetti & Sons Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCC 179 NRMA Ltd v Morgan (No 3) [1999] NSWSC 768 Hexiva Pty Ltd v Lederer [2006] NSWSC 1129