Commonwealth Securities Ltd v South Pacific Securities Pty Ltd [2003] NSWCA 199

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Commonwealth Securities Ltd v South Pacific Securities Pty Ltd [2003] NSWCA 199 HEARING DATE(S) : 16 July 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 28 July 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Hodgson JA at 1; Ipp JA at 7; Tobias JA at 8 DECISION : (a) Appeal allowed.; (b) Set aside the judgment of Graham DCJ of 30 August 2002 and in lieu thereof enter judgment for the defendant with costs.; (c) The respondent to pay the costs of the appeal but to have, in respect thereof, if otherwise qualified, a certificate under the Suitor's Fund Act 1951.; (d) Dismiss the respondent's Notice of Motion filed 11 June 2003 with costs.

CATCHWORDS : Procedural fairness - case pleaded specific contract - case conducted on that basis - judge finds no contract as pleaded but finds for plaintiff on basis (either contractual or quasi-contractual) which was not pleaded and differed from way case conducted - whether denial of procedural fairness - ND LEGISLATION CITED : Suitor's Fund Act 1951 Pavey & Matthews Pty Limited v Paul (1987) 162 CLR 221 Banque Commerciale SA., en liquidation v Akhil Holdings Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 279 Suttor v Gundowda Pty Limited (1950) 81 CLR 418 CASES CITED : University of Wollongong v Metwally (No.2) (1985) 59 ALJR 481 Coulton v Holcombe (1986) 162 CLR 1 Water Board v Moustakas (1987) 180 CLR 491 RT & Y E Investments Pty Ltd v New South Wales (2001) NSWSC 1027 PARTIES : Commonwealth Securities Limited South Pacific Securities Pty Limited FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40851/02 COUNSEL : A - R G Forster SC / G Colman R - J Donohoe SOLICITORS : A - L E Taylor R - Addisons