Biscayne Partners Pty Ltd v Valance Corp Pty Ltd & Ors [2003] NSWSC 1016

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Biscayne Partners Pty Ltd v Valance Corp Pty Ltd & Ors [2003] NSWSC 1016 HEARING DATE(S) : 3/11/03 JUDGMENT DATE : 6 November 2003

JURISDICTION: Equity Division Commercial List JUDGMENT OF : Einstein J DECISION : Questions of quantum determined. Short minutes of order to be brought in.

CATCHWORDS : Damages - Quantum - Damages for loss of opportunity - Presumption against wrongdoer - Compensation to be assessed in a robust manner, relying on the presumption against wrongdoers, the onus of proof, and resolving doubtful questions against the party whose actions have made an accurate determination problematic - Contract - Questions of construction LEGISLATION CITED : Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) ADC v White [1999] NSWSC 43 Alghussein Establishment v Eton College [1988] 1 WLR 587 Allen v Bega Valley Council (1994) 85 LGERA 364 C B S Records Australia Ltd v Telmak Teleproducts (Aust) Pty Ltd (1987) 17 FCR 48 Universal Music Australia v EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd [2000] ACopyT 5 Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2003] FCAFC 193 Cheall v APEX [1983] 1 All ER 1130 Commonwealth of Australia v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 64 Davies v Taylor [1974] AC 207 Global Network Services Pty Ltd v Legion Telecall Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 279 Grozier v Tate (1946) 16 LGR (NSW) 57 CASES CITED : Houghton v Immer (No 155) Pty Ltd (1997) 44 NSWLR 46 Lakatoi Universal Pty Ltd & LA Walker [2000] NSWSC 113 McIntosh v Williams [1979] 2 NSWLR 543 Malec v J C Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638 Mallett v McMonagle [1970] AC 166 New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd v Societe et des Ateliers et Chantiers de France [1919] AC 1 Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72 Perry v Fitzhowe 8 QB 757 Sellars v Adelaide Petroleum NL (1994) 179 CLR 332 Sinanian v EKS Carpentry Pty Ltd (Unreported, New South Wales Court of Appeal, 5 September 1997) T.C. Industrial Plant Pty Limited v Robert's Queensland Pty Limited (1963) 180 CLR 130 Twycross v Grant (1877) 2 CPD 469 Yango Pastoral Co Pty Ltd v First Chicago Australia Ltd (1978) 139 CLR 410 Biscayne Partners Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) PARTIES : Valance Corp Pty Ltd (First Defendant) Holly Rachel Vukadinovic (also known as Holly Valance) (Second Defendant) Rachel Jane Stevens (Third Defendant) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 50199/02 COUNSEL : Mr JJ Garnsey QC, Mr R Lancaster (Plaintiff) Mr R Cobden, Ms R Rana (Defendants) SOLICITORS : Tress Cocks & Maddox (Plaintiff) Henry Davis York (Defendants)