Payce Properties v BBC Hardware [1999] NSWSC 968

New South Wales Supreme Court CITATION : Payce Properties v BBC Hardware [1999] NSWSC 968 CURRENT JURISDICTION : Equity Division - Commercial Division FILE NUMBER(S) : 50033/99 HEARING DATE(S) : 14 September 1999 JUDGMENT DATE : 24 September 1999

PARTIES : Payce Properties Pty Limited (Plaintiff) BBC Hardware Limited (Defendant) JUDGMENT OF : Einstein J

COUNSEL : Murray H. Tobias QC & David J. Hammerschlag (Plaintiff) John N. West QC & Guy Parker (Defendant) SOLICITORS : Morgan Lewis Alter (Plaintiff) Allen Allen & Hemsley (Defendant) CATCHWORDS : Landlord and tenant - Construction of lease - Next review clause in long term lease - Whether provision for rent review is one in respect of which time is of the essence - Evidence - Admissibility of surrounding circumstances to aid construction where language ambiguous - Reach of s.55 Evidence Act 1995 does not extend to overcome efficacy of principles laid down in Codelfa Constructions Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW (1981) 149 CLR 337 being principles of substantive contract law. ACTS CITED : Conveyancing Act s.13 Evidence Act s.55 Amherst v James Walker Goldsmith & Silversmith Ltd (1983) Ch 305 Bank of New Zealand v Simpson (1900) AC 182 Codelfa Constructions Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW (1981) 149 CLR 337 DTR Nominees Pty Ltd v Mona Homes Pty Ltd (1978) 138 CLR 423 GR Mailman and Associates v Wormald (Australia) Pty Ltd (1991) 24 NSWLR 80 Louinder v Leis (1982) 149 CLR 509 Manukau CC v Fencible Court Howick Ltd (1991) 3 NZLR 410 Maritime Services Board of NSW v Australian Shipping Commission (1991) 27 NSWLR 258 National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd v Ampol Ltd (1983) 3 BBR 9101 CASES CITED : Payce Properties Pty Ltd v Harrisons Timber Pty Ltd (Supreme Court of New South Wales, 14 December 1990, unreported) Peabody Resources Ltd v Macquarie Generation [Einstein J, Supreme Court of New South Wales, Equity Division, 23 November 1998, unreported] Perri v Coolangatta Investments Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 537 Plinth Property Investments Ltd v Mott Hay & Anderson (1979) 38 P & CR 361 Reardon Smith [Line Ltd v Hansen-Tangen (1976) 1 WLR 989 Samuel Properties (Developments) Ltd v Hayek [1972] 1 WLR 1296 SA Service Stations Pty Ltd v BP Australia Ltd (1989) ATPR 40-949. United Scientific Holdings Ltd v Burnley Borough Council (1987) AC 904 United Scientific in MLC Life Ltd v Edmond Barton Chambers (Level 43) Co-operative Ltd (Supreme Court of NSW, Commercial Division, 17 August 1990, unreported; BC 9002123). Trustees of Henry Smith's Charity v AWADA Trading & Promotion Services Ltd (1983) 47 P & CR 607 DECISION : Short Minutes to be brought in.