Walter Construction Group Ltd v CPL (Surry Hills) Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 266

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Walter Construction Group Ltd v CPL (Surry Hills) Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 266 HEARING DATE(S) : 5 March 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 9 April 2003

JURISDICTION: Equity Division Technology and Construction List JUDGMENT OF : Nicholas J DECISION : Defendant liable to pay Plaintiff amount claimed as consequence of failure to comply with s14(4); Plaintiff entitled to summary judgment of $13,962,904.00.

CATCHWORDS : CONSTRUCTION - CONTRACT - SECURITY OF PAYMENT Whether payment claim valid - Whether failure to provide payment schedule attracts liability - Whether entitlement to summary judgment - Whether claim related to construction work - Whether Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) applies - Whether payment claim premature - Whether claimant entitled to progress payment - Whether misleading or deceptive LEGISLATION CITED : Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) s 3(1); s 5(1)(a) - (g); s 5(2)(a) - (c); s 6(1)(a)(i) and (ii); s 6(1)(b)(i) - (iii); s 6(1)(c)(ii); s 7(1), (2), (2)(c); s 8, 8(2)(a)(i); s 9(a); s 13(1), (2)(a)-(c); s14(1)-(3), (4)(a), 4(b)(i)-(ii); s 15(2)(a)-(b), s 15(4) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 52 ADI Ltd v Environment Protection Authority; Environment Protection Authority v ADI Ltd (2000) A Crim R 335 Beckhaus v Brewarrina Council (2002) NSWSC 960 Brewarrina Shire Council v Beckhaus Civil Pty Ltd (2003) NSWCA 4 Central Pacific (Campus) Pty Ltd v Staged Developments Australia Pty Ltd (1998) V Conv R 54-575 Chugg v Pacific Dunlop Ltd (1990) 170 CLR 249 CASES CITED : Fyntray Constructions Pty Ltd v Macind Drainage an Hydraulic Services Pty Ltd (2002) 18 BCL 402 Hawkins Construction (Aust) Pty Ltd v Mac's Industrial Pipework Pty Ltd (2002) NSWCA 136 Jemzone Pty Ltd v Trytan Pty Ltd (2002) 42 ACSR 42 Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191 Pyneboard Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commision (1982) 39 ALR 565 Vines v Djordjevitch (1955) 91 CLR 512 PARTIES : Walter Construction Group Ltd - Plaintiff CPL (Surry Hills) Pty Ltd - Defendant FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 55005/03 COUNSEL : G Inatey SC/B McManus - Plaintiff S Finch SC/R Cheney - Defendant SOLICITORS : Corrs Chambers Westgarth - Plaintiff Holding Redlich - Defendant