Smith v Smith [2004] NSWSC 663

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Smith v Smith [2004] NSWSC 663 HEARING DATE(S) : 20/07/04, 21/07/04 JUDGMENT DATE : 28 July 2004 JURISDICTION: Equity Division JUDGMENT OF : Barrett J DECISION : Declaration that defendant holds undivided one-half share in property upon trust for plaintiff. Order that defendant transfer interest to plaintiff. Order for possession. Leave to issue writ of possession.

CATCHWORDS : EQUITY - unilateral mistake - whether elements exist - unconscionable dealing - intervention by equity even though affected party may have given consent - party affected by profound deafness and unfamiliarity with business and financial affairs - also heavily reliant on husband nearing death - dependence transferred to daughter who took unconscionable advantage LEGISLATION CITED : Conveyancing Act 1919, s.66G Blomley v Ryan (1956) 99 CLR 362 Bridgewater v Leahy (1998) 194 CLR 457 Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd v Amadio (1983) 151 CLR 447 Huguenin v Baseley (1807) 14 Ves Jun 273 Leibler v Air New Zealand Ltd (No 2) [1999] 1 VR 1 CASES CITED : Louth v Diprose (1992) 175 CLR 621 Sande v Medsara Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 147 Shehata v Hussein [2004] NSWSC 617 Taylor v Johnson (1983) 151 CLR 422 Turner v Windever [2003] NSWSC 1147 Tutt v Doyle (1997) 42 NSWLR 10 PARTIES : Pauline Therese Smith - Plaintiff Helen Jane Smith (now Vocalan) - Defendant FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 3428/04 COUNSEL : Ms J A D Needham - Plaintiff Defendant in person SOLICITORS : Eakin McCaffery Cox - Plaintiff Defendant in person