3WJ v Director-General, Fair Trading [2003] NSWSC 331

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : 3WJ v Director-General, Fair Trading [2003] NSWSC 331 HEARING DATE(S) : 16 April 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 17 April 2003 JURISDICTION: Equity JUDGMENT OF : Austin J DECISION : Declaration that the defendant's determination was ultra vires and void, and order setting the determination aside

CATCHWORDS : ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - defendant empowered by Motor Dealers Act to give notice to show cause if of opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing plaintiff's business carried on in dishonest or unfair manner - Act empowers defendant to impose restriction on licence if satisfied that matter has been established - Director-General gives notice and then makes determination for stated reasons - reasons include matters incorrect in law - determination invalid LEGISLATION CITED : Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) s 42 Motor Dealers Act 1974 (NSW) ss 20D, 20E, 24 Arbest Pty Ltd v State Bank of New South Wales (1996) ATPR para 41-481 Green v Daniels (1977) 13 ALR 1 CASES CITED : Hornsby Building Information Centre Pty Ltd v Sydney Building Information Centre Pty Ltd (1978) 140 CLR 216 Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191 WA Pines Pty Ltd v Bannerman (1980) 30 ALR 559 PARTIES : 3WJ Pty Ltd (P) The Director-General of Department of Fair Trading (D) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 2054/02 COUNSEL : B Toomey QC with P Ramos (P) P Griffin (D) SOLICITORS : R F Bergagnin & Co (P) David Catt (D)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES EQUITY DIVISION