HSH Hotels v Multiplex [2004] NSWCA 302

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : HSH Hotels v Multiplex [2004] NSWCA 302 HEARING DATE(S) : 21 July 2004, 22 July 2004 JUDGMENT DATE : 15 September 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Mason P at 1; Hodgson JA at 2; Tobias JA at 12 DECISION : (a) Appeal dismissed with costs; (b) Cross-appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS : Contract - Building contracts - Construction of - Completion - Minor defects - If considered collectively - Referee's report - Evidence - No cross-examination - Whether practical - Evidence in direct contradiction - Rejection of non-cross-examined evidence - Practice and Procedure - Amendments - Prejudice - Trial in near future - Costs - Offer of compromise - Addressed to two parties - Only acceptable by both - One party reasonably refuses offer - Other party liable in amount greater than offer - Whether indemnity costs may be ordered against other party LEGISLATION CITED : Nil M & EM Hull Pty Limited v Thompson [2001] NSWCA 359 CASES CITED : Bulstrade v Trimble [1970] V.R. 840 Super Pty Ltd v SJP Formwork (Aust) Pty Ltd (1992) 29 NSWLR 549 State of Queensland v J L Holdings Pty Ltd (1997) 189 CLR 146 PARTIES : HSH Hotels (Australia) Ltd Multiplex Constructions Pty Limited FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40088/04 COUNSEL : A: Mr A Sullivan QC / Mr Watts QC R: Mr Rudge SC / Mr D Miller SOLICITORS : A: Griffins, Sydney R: Minter Ellison, Sydney

LOWER COURT Supreme Court - Equity Division JURISDICTION : LOWER COURT SC 55002/00 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Bergin J JUDICIAL OFFICER :

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES COURT OF APPEAL CA 40088/04 SC 55002/00