ANZ Banking Group Ltd v PA Wright & Sons Pty Ltd [1999] NSWSC 628

New South Wales Supreme Court CITATION : ANZ Banking Group Ltd v PA Wright & Sons Pty Ltd [1999] NSWSC 628 CURRENT JURISDICTION : Equity Division Commercial List FILE NUMBER(S) : 50198/96 HEARING DATE(S) : 27.7.98, 28.7.98, 29.7.98, 30.7.98, 3.8.98, 4.8.98, 5.8.98, 6.8.98, 10.8.98, 11.8.98, 12.8.98, 13.8.98, 17.8.98, 18.8.98, 19.8.98, 20.8.98, 24.8.98, 25.8.98, 26.8.98, 27.8.98, 31.8.98, 1.9.98, 2.9.98, 3.9.98, 7.9.98, 8.9.98, 9.9.98, 10.9.98, 14.9.98, 16.9.98, 23.9.98, 28.9.98, 30.9.98, 2.11.98, 3.11.98, 5.11.98 JUDGMENT DATE : 25 June 1999

PARTIES : Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v P.A. Wright and Sons Pty Ltd; Wallamumbi Pty Ltd; Achill Pty Ltd; Yarrowyck Pty Ltd; Ostabrew Pty Ltd; Melrose Meats Pty Ltd; Esrolem Pty Ltd; Phillip David Arundell Wright; Margaret Du Moulin Wright JUDGMENT OF : Hunter J

Plaintiff: Mr I Barker QC + Mr J Thomson COUNSEL : Defendants: Mr D Higgs SC + Mr L Aitken + Ms R Sofroniou + Mr E Finnane SOLICITORS : Plaintiff: Minter Ellison Defendants: Jackson Smith CATCHWORDS : Banker/Customer: special relationship: whether fiduciary relationship: meaning of "basic" facilities: representations of financial support: whether actionable: leave to amend after conclusion of hearing: leave to adduce fresh evidence at conclusion of hearing. CASES CITED : United Dominions Corporation Ltd v Brian Pty Ltd (1985) 157 CLR 1; Legione v Hateley (1983) 152 CLR 406 DECISION : 1. Verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $31,911,666.40 together with interest thereon in an amount to be calculated by the parties; 2. Orders in terms of pars 5, 5A, 6 and 7 of the Second Amended Summons save that execution of the writ of possession is stayed pending final orders as to interest and costs; 3. Judgment for the cross-defendant on the cross-claim; 4. The defendants/cross-claimants are to pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings.