Dorothy Jonns & Anor v Kim Seong Tan & 2 Ors [1999] NSWSC 648

Reported Decision : (1999) NSW ConvR 55-906

New South Wales Supreme Court CITATION : Dorothy Jonns & Anor v Kim Seong Tan & 2 Ors [1999] NSWSC 648 CURRENT JURISDICTION : Equity FILE NUMBER(S) : 2531/99 HEARING DATE(S) : 11/06/99 JUDGMENT DATE : 11 June 1999

Dorothy Jonns & Nick Savvas (Ps) PARTIES : Kim Seong Tan (D1) Cenijade Pty Limited (D2) Felderri Pty Limited (D3) JUDGMENT OF : Santow J

COUNSEL : P P O'Loughlin (P) M T Bonnell (Sol) (D2) SOLICITORS : Peter Townsend (P) Mallesons Stephen Jaques (D2) CATCHWORDS : EQUITY — Right of first refusal or pre-emption to tenant under lease — Right fructifies — Option then granted to third party or nominee on constructive or actual notice of right — Does tenant's right of pre-emption as either a mere equity or as an equitable interest prevail over nominee at least on a prima facie basis to maintain injunction — Is the fructified right then still a mere equity or has it become an equitable interest in property — Unconscionable for holder of option on notice of right of pre-emption to prevail — Specific performance versus damages as an adequate remedy Bahr v Nicolay No. 2 (1988) 164 CLR 604 Beneficial Finane Corporation Ltd v Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd (1995) 36 NSWLR 510 Breskvar v Wall (1971) 126 CLR 367 Fraser v Walker [1967] 1 AC 569 CASES CITED : Garcia v National Australia Bank Limited (1998) 155 ALR 614 Mackay v Wilson (1947) 47 SR(NSW) 315 Sterns Trading Pty Limited v Shteinman (1988) NSW Conv R 55-414 Tanzone v Westpac [1999] NSWSC 478 Transfield Properties v Amos Aked Swift Pty Ltd (1994) 36 NSWLR 321 Walker Corporation Limited v Pateman Pty Ltd (1990) 20 NSWLR 624 DECISION : Injunction continued