Middleton v Arthur [2002] NSWSC 627

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Middleton v Arthur [2002] NSWSC 627 CURRENT JURISDICTION: Equity Division FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 2062/02 HEARING DATE(S) : 13, 14 and 18 June, 2002 JUDGMENT DATE : 16 July 2002

Robert Wilmot Middleton - Plaintiff PARTIES : Susan Elizabeth Middleton - Plaintiff Gillian Margaret Flower - Plaintiff Peter John Elliot Arthur - Defendant JUDGMENT OF : Palmer J

COUNSEL : Peter Walsh - Plaintiffs Nye Perram - Defendant SOLICITORS : Church & Grace - Plaintiffs Allens Arthur Robinson - Defendant CATCHWORDS : EASEMENTS - RIGHT OF WAY - CONSTRUCTION - Principles of construction discussed. RIGHT OF WAY - SUBSTANTIAL INTERFERENCE - Principles discussed. INJUNCTION - LACHES ACQUIESCENCE AND DELAY - Defendant takes calculated risk in proceeding with proposed obstruction after warning of litigation. HELD: Defendant's proposed building plans would create a substantial interference with the Plaintiffs' Right of Way - no discretionary defences available - injunction should be granted. LEGISLATION CITED : Conveyancing Act, 1919 (NSW) - s.88B Sydney Water Act, 1994 (NSW) - s.44(1) - Bulstrode v Lambert [1953] 2 All ER 728 - Butler v Muddle (1995) 6 BPR 13,984 - S.S. & M. Ceramics Pty Ltd v Yau Kin [1996] 2 Qd R 540 - Clifford v Hoare (1874) LR9CP 362 - Finlayson v Campbell (1997) 8 BPR 15,703 - Gallagher v Rainbow (1994) 179 CLR 624 - Jones v Pritchard [1908] 1 Ch 630 - Keefe v Amor [1965] 1 QB 334 CASES CITED : - Purcell, Ex parte (1982) 47 LGRA 433 - Robinson v Bailey [1948] 2 All ER 791 - Robmet Investments Pty Ltd v Don Chen Pty Ltd (1997) 8 BPR 15,461 - Todrick v Western National Omnibus Company Ltd [1934] Ch 190 - Treweeke v 36 Wolseley Road Pty Ltd (1973) 128 CLR 274 - White v Grand Hotel, Eastbourne Ltd [1913] 1 Ch 113 - Williams v James (1867) LR2CP 577 - Wood v Saunders (1876) LR 10 Ch App 582 - Zenere v Leate (1980) 1 BPR 9300 DECISION : Plaintiffs entitled to declarations and injunctions accordingly.