Variety Video v Jones [2001] NSWSC 5

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Variety Video v Jones [2001] NSWSC 5 CURRENT JURISDICTION: Equity FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 3608/94 HEARING DATE(S) : 31 January, 1, 2, 3, 4 February, 2, 9, 24 March 2000 JUDGMENT DATE : 22 January 2001

Variety Video Pty Limited (P1) PARTIES : Juverna Pty Limited (P2) Wayne Jones (D1) Cia Wolf (D2) JUDGMENT OF : Austin J

COUNSEL : I S Young (P) P A Fury (D) SOLICITORS : Lansley Lawyers, Moss Vale (P) Burston, Cole & Co, Penrith (D) CATCHWORDS : PARTNERSHIP - expulsion clause - expulsion for 'serious misconduct' which prejudices partnership business - meaning of 'serious misconduct' - whether two partners can dismiss the other two for serious misconduct, by a single decision - whether remaining partners may exercise option to acquire expelled partners' shares after dissolution of partnership LEGISLATION CITED : Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), s 181 (1) (b); Partnership Act 1892 (NSW), ss 25, 38, 39, 44 Alcatel Australia Ltd v Scarcella (1998) 44 NSWLR 349 Blisset v Daniel (1853) 10 Hare 493 Blue Metal Industries Ltd v Dilley (1969) 117 CLR 651 Bond v Hale (1969) 72 SR (NSW) 201 Carmichael v Evans [1904] 1 Ch 486 Green v Howell [1910] 1 Ch 495 Greenaway v Greenaway (1940) 84 Sol Jo 43 CASES CITED : Hanlon v Brookes (1997) 15 ACLC 1626 Hitchman v Crouch Butler Savage Associates (1983) 127 Sol Jo 441 In re A Solicitors' Arbitration [1962] 1 WLR 353 Johnson v Marshall Sons, & Co, Ltd [1906] AC 409 Kerr v Morris [1987] 1 Ch 90 Marlborough Harbour Board v Goulden [1985] 2 NZLR 378 Russell v Clarke [1995] 2 Qd R 310 Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387 DECISION : See paragraphs 185-190