Australian Aloe Limited v Export Growth Finance Pty Limited and Australian Aloe Marketing Limited [2003] NSWSC 252

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Australian Aloe Limited v Export Growth Finance Pty Limited and Australian Aloe Marketing Limited [2003] NSWSC 252 HEARING DATE(S) : 20 February, 3 March 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 3 April 2003 JURISDICTION: Equity Division JUDGMENT OF : Master McLaughlin DECISION : In 5445 of 2002; 1. I order that the originating process be dismissed; 2. I order that the Plaintiff pay the costs of the Defendant; 3. The exhibits may be returned; In 5446 of 2002; 1. I make an order in the terms of prayer 1 in the originating process; 2. The exhibits may be returned; 3. I will hear Counsel concerning costs

CATCHWORDS : Corporations - Statutory demand - Whether there is a genuine dispute as to the existence of the debt - Offsetting claim - Whether there must be mutuality between the character of the offsetting claim and the character of the demand. LEGISLATION CITED : Corporations Act 2001 Classic Ceramic Importers Pty Ltd v Ceramica Antiga SA (1994) 13 ACSR 623 Eyota v Havane (1994) 12 ACSR 785 CASES CITED : Mibor Investments Pty Limited v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1993) 11 ACSR 362 PCH Group Limited v Hallbridge Pty Limited [2002] WASC 88 (19 April 2002, unreported) Stec v Orfanos [1999] FCA 457 Australian Aloe Limited (Plaintiff) PARTIES : Export Growth Finance Pty Limited (Defendant 5445/02) Australian Aloe Marketing Limited (Defendant 5446/02) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 5445/02; 5446/02 COUNSEL : R. Dubler (Plaintiff) D.R. Pritchard (Defendants) SOLICITORS : Deacons (Plaintiff) Blake Dawson Waldron (Defendants)