Galaxidis v Galaxidis [2004] NSWCA 111

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Galaxidis v Galaxidis [2004] NSWCA 111 HEARING DATE(S) : 18 March 2004 19 March 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 20 May 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Giles JA at 1; Hodgson JA at 2; Tobias JA at 14 DECISION : The appeal is allowed in part, the cross-appeal dismissed with costs and the declaration and orders made by Austin J on 20 December 2002 to be set aside; The parties to bring in short minutes.

CATCHWORDS : ESTOPPEL - general principles - promissory estoppel - propriety estoppel - whether representation sufficiently clear and unambiguous - whether a representation insufficiently clear to found a contractual relationship can instead found a promissory estoppel - whether representation gave rise to an expectation - whether detrimental reliance - whether detrimental reliance is necessary for grant of relief - appropriate relief for detriment. - EQUITY - laches - whether plaintiff acquiesced in seeking redress after realising violation of rights. - REAL PROPERTY - whether representation founding estoppel gave rise to proprietary beneficial interest or indefinite licence. - PRACTICE & PROCEDURE - whether a party who has not asked for relief ought to be granted relief - where no controversy exists between party and respondent LEGISLATION CITED : Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) Supreme Court Rules 1970 (NSW) Austotel Pty Limited v Franklins Self Serve Pty Limited (1989) 16 NSWLR 582 Australian Crime Commission v Gray [2003] NSWCA 318 Blair v Curran (1939) 62 CLR 464 Flinn v Flinn [1999] 3 VR 712 Giumelli v Giumelli (1988) 196 CLR 101 CASES CITED : Legione v Hateley (1983) 152 CLR 406 Morris v Morris [1982] NSWLR 61 Riches v Hogben [1985] 2 Qd R 292 Running Pigmy Productions Pty Ltd v AMP General Insurance Co Ltd [2001] NSWSC 431 Walton Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387 Woodhouse A.C. Israel Cocoa Ltd S.A. v Nigerian Produce Manufacturing Co Ltd [1971] 2 QB 23 Athanasios Galaxidis Georgia Galaxidis PARTIES : Antonios Galaxidis John Galaxidis Nikolaos Galaxidis FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40078/03 COUNSEL : 1A, 2A & 3A:J E Thomson / M J Watts 1R: D A Smallbone 1A, 2A & 3A: Colin Biggers & Paisley SOLICITORS : 1R: M J Woods & Co, Sydney 2R: G B Fernie & Co, Sydney