Americana Leadership College v Coll [2003] NSWSC 295

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Americana Leadership College v Coll [2003] NSWSC 295 HEARING DATE(S) : 13/02/03, 14/02/03 JUDGMENT DATE : 15 April 2003 JURISDICTION: Equity Division JUDGMENT OF : Barrett J DECISION : Plaintiff's claims based on resulting and constructive trust dismissed. Plaintiff entitled to reimbursement of certain outgoings and to charge over property therefor. Defendant entitled to order for possession and mesne profits.

CATCHWORDS : TRUSTS AND TRUSTEES - property purchased in names of joint tenants in 1976 - whether company subsequently incorporated entitled pursuant to resulting trust as real purchaser - whether constructive trust should be imposed - "title by estoppel" - whether charge for outgoings incurred should be imposed - CORPORATIONS - promoters - whether purchasers of property in breach of duties as promoters so that property held on constructive trust - REAL PROPERTY - possessory title claim by company - periodic occupation by one co-owner - not shown to be traceable to right derived from claimant to title by adverse possession Business Names Act 1962 LEGISLATION CITED : Conveyancing Act 1919, ss.23 and 54A Real Property Act 1900, s.45D Aequitas Ltd v Sparad No 100 Ltd (2001) 19 ACLC 1006 Americana Leadership College Pty Ltd v Coll [2003] NSWSC 59 Big River Timbers Pty Ltd v Stewart (1998) 9 BPR 16,599 Calverley v Green (1984) 155 CLR 243 Charles Marshall Pty Ltd v Grimsley (1956) 95 CLR 353 CASES CITED : Dillwyn v Llewelyn (1862) 4 DeGF&J 517 (45 ER 1285) Gissing v Gissing [1971] AC 886 Giumelli v Giumelli (1999) 196 CLR 101 Muschinski v Dodds (1985) 160 CLR 583 Ramsden v Dyson (1866) LR 1 HL 129 Sugden v Lord St Leonards (1876) 1 PD 154 Tracy v Mandalay Pty Ltd (1953) 88 CLR 215 PARTIES : Americana Leadership College Pty Limited - Plaintiff Mary Annette Coll - Defendant FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 5217/01 COUNSEL : Mr M J Neil QC/Mr M R J Ellicott - Plaintiff Mr S Y Reuben - Defendant SOLICITORS : John R Quinn & Co - Plaintiff Gary Cassim & Associates - Defendant