Parist Holdings Pty Ltd v WT Partnership Australia Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 365

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Parist Holdings Pty Ltd v WT Partnership Australia Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 365 HEARING DATE(S) : 22/04/03; 23/04/03; 24/04/03 JUDGMENT DATE : 5 May 2003

JURISDICTION: Equity Division Technology & Construction List JUDGMENT OF : Nicholas J DECISION : Defendant entitled under s 25(2)(a) of the Building Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) to recover whole of adjudicated amount from Plaintiff as debt due to it; Defendant entitled to summary judgment of $71,086.52

CATCHWORDS : CONSTRUCTION, SECURITY OF PAYMENT ADJUDICATION, Whether Adjudicator acted ultra vires in adjudication and determination - whether Adjudicator's determination a nullity - whether payment claim is foundation of jurisdiction of Adjudicator - whether serious issues to be tried - whether Defendant entitled to declarations and summary judgment - HELD: Defendant entitled to recover adjudicated amount from Plaintiff as debt due to it and entitled to summary judgment of $71,086.52 LEGISLATION CITED : Building Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) ss 4-7, s 13, s, 13(2), s 13(2)(a)-(b), s 14, s 17, s 17(2), s 19(2), s 20, s 20(2), s 21, s 22, s 22(1), s 22(2), s 22(2)(b)-(d), s 23(1)(a)-(b), s 25, s 25(1), s 25(2), s25(1)(a)-(b), s 25(2)(a), s 25(4), s 25(5)(a) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) s 94 Beckhaus v Brewarrina Council (2002) NSWSC 960 Coulton v Holcombe (1986) 162 CLR 1 Cowling Construction Ltd v CFW Architects (a firm) [2002] EWHC 2914 (TCC) CASES CITED : Hawkins Construction (Aust) Pty Ltd v Mac's Industrial Pipework Pty Ltd (2002) NSWCA 136 Liftronic Pty Ltd v Unver (2001) HCA 24; (2001) 75 ALJR 867 Renard Constructions (ME) Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (1992) 26 NSWLR 234 Walter Construction Group Ltd v CPL (Surry Hills) Pty Ltd (2003) NSWSC 266 PARTIES : Parist Holdings Pty Ltd - Plaintiff WT Partnership Australia Pty Ltd - Defendant FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 55010/03 COUNSEL : R K Newton - Plaintiff M Christie - Defendant SOLICITORS : Summit Law - Plaintiff Deacons - Defendant