Ruthol Pty Ltd v Tricon (Aust) Pty Ltd; and Tricon (Aust) Pty Ltd v Ruthol Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 1190

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Ruthol Pty Ltd v Tricon (Aust) Pty Ltd; and Tricon (Aust) Pty Ltd v Ruthol Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 1190 HEARING DATE(S) : 19 November, 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 19 November 2004 JURISDICTION: Equity Division JUDGMENT OF : Palmer J DECISION : Judgment for the Defendant with costs.

CATCHWORDS : CONTRACT - BREACH - DAMAGES - Plaintiff leases property to Defendant - Lease contains option to purchase - Defendant exercises option and parties exchange contracts for sale - Plaintiff fails to complete on stipulated date - completion delayed because of litigation arising out of fraud practised by Plaintiff on third party - Defendant held entitled to specific performance of contract for sale - Plaintiff sues Defendant for rent for occupation after stipulated date for completion - Defendant sues Plaintiff for failing to complete on stipulated date. - HELD: Plaintiff cannot take advantage of its own wrong in failing to complete on stipulated date to claim rent payable by Defendant thereafter - Plaintiff's claim defeated by circuity of action. CASES CITED : Andrews v Nominal Defendant [1963] NSWR 359 Susan, The v Luckenbach [1951] P 197 5102/04: Ruthol Pty Ltd - Plaintiff Tricon (Australia) Pty Ltd - Defendant PARTIES : 4858/01: Tricon (Australia) Pty Ltd - Plaintiff Ruthol Pty Ltd - First Defendant Brian Mills - Second Defendant Elaine Mills - Third Defendant FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 5102/04; 4858/01 COUNSEL : R.S. Angyal SC, K. Andronos - Ruthol Pty Ltd M.W. Young - Tricon (Aust) Pty Ltd SOLICITORS : David Landa Stewart - Ruthol Pty Ltd Grahame Jackson & Associates - Tricon (Aust) Pty Ltd