Stewart Investments v Legge Building [2003] NSWSC 193

Reported Decision : (2004) NSW ConvR 56-070

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Stewart Investments v Legge Building [2003] NSWSC 193 HEARING DATE(S) : 17/03/03 JUDGMENT DATE : 25 March 2003

JURISDICTION: Equity Division Commercial List JUDGMENT OF : Barrett J DECISION : Option clause in lease rectified; summons otherwise dismissed

CATCHWORDS : LANDLORD AND TENANT - lease of part of property - subject matter of lease - subject matter of option to purchase - whether discoverable from lease - rectification - resort to evidence of background facts - conditional contract upon exercise of option to purchase - lessor's failure to take steps required by condition - whether lessor disentitled to regard contract as discharged Brambles Holdings Ltd v Bathurst City Council (2001) 53 NSWLR 53 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337 Commissioner of Stamp Duties v Carlenka Pty Ltd (1995) 41 NSWLR 329 Maralinga Pty Ltd v Major Enterprises Pty Ltd (1973) 128 CLR 336 CASES CITED : Mitchell v Pattern Holdings Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 212 Pukullus v Camerson (1982) 150 CLR 447 Radaich v Smith (1959) 101 CLR 209 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust v South Sydney Council (2002) 76 ALJR 436 Standard Portland Cement Co Pty Ltd v Good [1982] 2 NSWLR 668 PARTIES : L E Stewart Investments Pty Ltd - Plaintiff F C & M Legge Building Contractors & Developers FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 50186/02 COUNSEL : Mr A G Diethelm - Plaintiff Mr R S Angyal - Defendant SOLICITORS : Philip Boyce & Associates - Plaintiff Peter Cornelius & Partners - Defendant