Wilson v Meudon [2004] NSWSC 1183

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Wilson v Meudon [2004] NSWSC 1183 HEARING DATE(S) : 8/11/04, 9/11/04,10/11/04 JUDGMENT DATE : 15 December 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Gzell J DECISION : Shareholders of top floor home unit relieved from payment of levy. Otherwise, proceedings dismissed. Declaratory relief granted to cross claiming shareholder of penthouse.

CATCHWORDS : REAL PROPERTY - Strata and related titles and occupancy - Home unit company with corporate title - Whether exclusive use and enjoyment of a top floor home unit prevented extension of a penthouse onto the roof above the home unit - Whether board of directors and company in general meeting acted oppressively or unfairly prejudicially in approving extensions - Whether an allotment of additional shares at par for extensions was contrary to the interests of the members as a whole - Whether the board of directors had power to raise a levy to defend proceedings brought by the shareholders of the top floor home unit - Whether the raising of the levy against such shareholders was oppressive or unfairly prejudicial LEGISLATION CITED : Corporations Act (Cth) BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1977) 180 CLR 266 HH Halls Ltd v Lepouris (1964) 82 WN (Pt 2) (NSW) 87 Magill v Santina Pty Ltd (1983) 1 NSWLR 517 at 525 Reid House Pty Ltd v Beneke (1987) 5 ACLC 451 Crumpton v Morrine Hall Pty Ltd (1965) NSWR 240 Herrman v Simon (1990) 4 ACSR 81 Re Old Silkstone Collieries Ld [1954] 1 Ch 169. CASES CITED : Devereaux Holdings Pty Ltd v Pelsart Resources N L (N0 2) (1985) 9 ACLR 956 Gambotto v WCP Ltd (1994-1995) 182 CLR 432 Peter's American Delicacy Co Ltd v Heath (1938-1939) 61 CLR 457 O'Neill v Phillips [1999] 1 WLR 1092 Fexuto Pty Ltd v Bosnjak Holdings Pty Ltd (2001) 37 ACSR 672 Allen v Gold Reefs of West Africa Ltd [1900] 1 Ch 656 New South Wales Rugby League Ltd v Wayde (1985) 1 NSWLR 86 Zephyr Holdings Pty Ltd v Jack Chia (Aust) Ltd (1989) 14 ACLR 30 Thomas v H W Thomas Ltd (1984) 1 NZLR 686 Wayde v New South Wales Rugby League Ltd, 61 ALR 225 Michael Wilson - 1st Plaintiff PARTIES : Roberta Wilson - 2nd Plaintiff Muedon Pty Ltd - 1st Defendant John Baker - 2nd Defendant FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 5011/02 Mr S D Rares SC/ Mr K Andronos for Plaintiffs COUNSEL : Mr M Cashion SC/Mr R C Scruby for 1st Defendant Mr D H Murr SC/ Mr M K Meek for 2nd Defendant Anthony Murrell Solicitor - Plaintiff SOLICITORS : Dibbs Barker Gosling Lawyers - 1st Defendant Stephen Wawn & Associates Lawyers - 2nd Defendants