National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited v Parkin [2004] NSWCA 153

49 ACSR 485 Reported Decision : 60 NSWLR 224 (2004) 22 ACLC 861

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited v Parkin [2004] NSWCA 153 HEARING DATE(S) : 12/05/04 JUDGMENT DATE : 25 May 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Santow JA at 1; Ipp JA at 10; Bryson JA at 106 DECISION : Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS : CORPORATIONS - Whether proposed resolutions for special general meeting of a company void due to ambiguity - Where proposed resolutions would limit the powers of the company - Whether proposed resolutions void for uncertainty - Correct test to be applied to determine uncertainty - EVIDENCE - Whether extrinsic evidence can be used to construe company's constitution. D LEGISLATION CITED : Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss 124, 125, 249D, 249L Industrial Relations Act 1996 (NSW), s 42(1) Anaconda Nickel Ltd v Tarmoola Australia Pty Ltd (2000) 22 WAR 101 Bratton Seymour Service Co Ltd v Oxborough [1992] BCLC 693 Cotman v Brougham [1918] AC 514 Egyptian Salt & Soda Company Limited v Port Said Salt Association Limited [1931] AC 677 Foss v Harbottle (1843) 2 Hare 461 Holmes v Keyes (1958) Ch 199 In Re Hartley Baird Limited (1954) 1 Ch 143 Isle of Wight Railway Company v Hahourdin (1884) 23 Ch D 320 McDermott v Black (1940) 63 CLR 161 Meehan v Jones (1982) 149 CLR 571 National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited v Geeson (2002) 40 ACSR 1 CASES CITED : Norths Ltd v McCaughan Dyson Capel Cure Ltd (1988) 12 ACLR 739 NRMA Limited v Snodgrass (2001) 52 NSWLR 383 Rayfield v Hands [1960] Ch 1 Santos Ltd v Pettingell (1979) 4 ACLR 110 Scammell (G) & Nephew Ltd v Ouston [1941] AC 251 Scott v Frank F Scott (London) Ltd [1940] Ch 794, CA Simon v HPM Industries Pty Limited (1989) 15 ACLR 427 Stillwell Trucks Pty Limited v Nectar Brook Investments Pty Ltd (1993) 115 ALR 294 Street v Queensland Bar Association (1985) 168 CLR 461 Tosich v Tosich Construction Pty Limited (1993) 10 ACSR 590 Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Veterans' Association of New South Wales Ltd v Gadd (1998) 146 FLR 161 Upper Hunter County District Council v Australian Chilling and Freezing Company Limited (1968) 118 CLR 429 PARTIES : National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited (Appellant) John Parkin (Respondent) FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40317/04 COUNSEL : T F Bathurst QC/R G McHugh (Appellant) J B Whittle SC/J V Gooley (Respondent) SOLICITORS : Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Appellant) Turner Freeman (Respondent)