Ruthol Pty Ltd v Tricon (Australia) Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 443

Reported Decision : (2006) NSW ConvR 56-145

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Ruthol Pty Ltd v Tricon (Australia) Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 443

HEARING DATE(S): 3 November 2005

JUDGMENT DATE: 21 December 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Giles JA at 1; Santow JA at 70; Hunt AJA at 71

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: Damages - breach of contract - delay in completion of sale of land - purchaser was lessee from vendor - vendor sued for rent for period of delay - whether claim failed because was taking advantage of own wrong - was entitled to rent - purchaser entitled to damages in the same amount - whether in assessing damages allowance for benefit to purchaser of not having to pay purchase price for period of delay - what was benefit - needed proof of actual benefit - and no allowance because in the circumstances any benefit not caused by breach of contract. D

Alghussein Establishment v Eton College (1988) 1 WLR 587; Allen v Bega Valley Council (1994) 85 LGERA 364; Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd v GSF Australia Pty Ltd (2001) 215 ALR 385; Bendall v Haines (1991) 172 CLR 60; British Westinghouse Manufacturing Co Ltd v Underground Electrical Railways Co of London Ltd (1912) AC 673; Chappell v Hart (1998) 195 CLR 232; Cheall v Association of Professional Executive Clerical and Computer Staff (1983) 2 AC 180; re C L Nye Ltd (1971) Ch 442; Cordiant Communications (Australia) Pty Ltd v The Communications Group Holdings Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 1005; Environment Agency (formerly National Rivers Authority) v Empress Car Co (Abertillery) Ltd (1999) 2 AC 22; Erie County Natural Gas & Fuel Co Ltd v Caroll (1911) AC 105; Gates v The City Mutual Life Assurance Society Pty Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 1; Grozier v Tate (1946) 16 LGR 57; Harbutt's "Plasticine" Ltd v Wayne Tank & Pump Co Ltd (1970) 1 QB 447; Hi-Fert Pty Ltd v Kiukiang Maritime Carriers Inc (2000) 173 ALR 263; Hoad v Scone Motors Pty Ltd (1977) 1 NSWLR 88; Hobartville Stud Pty Ltd v Union Insurance Co Ltd (1991) 25 NSWLR 358; Hooper v Lane (1859) 6 HL Cas 443; 10 ER 1368; Hussain v New Taplow Paper Mills Ltd (1988) 1 AC 514; CASES CITED: Hungerfords v Walker (1988) 171 CLR 125; Hyder Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd v Whlh Wilhelmsen Agency Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 313; Koch Marine Inc v D'Amica Societa di Navigazione ARL ("The Elena d'Amico") (1980) 1 Ll LR 75; Lavarack v Woods of Colchester Ltd (1967) 1 QB 278; Levison v Farin (1978) 2 All ER 1149; re London Celluloid Company (1988) 39 Ch D 190; Mills v Ruthol Pty Ltd [2002] NSWSC 294; Mitchell v Pattern Holdings Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 212; Monroe Schneider Associates (Inc) v No 1 Raberem Pty Ltd (1991) 35 FLR 1; New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd v Societe des Ateliers et Chantiers de France (1919) AC 1 (HL); (1917) 2 KB 717 (CA); Richco International Ltd v Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH (1991) 1 Ll R 136; Ruthol Pty Ltd v Mills [2003] NSWCA 56; Screenco Pty Ltd v R L Drew Pty Ltd (2003) 58 NSWLR 720; Simonius Vischer & Co v Holt & Thompson (1979) 2 NSWLR 322; Steedman v The Council of the Shire of Baulkham Hills (No 2) (1993) 80 LGERA 323; Sutor v Gundowda Pty Ltd (1950) 81 CLR 418; TCN Channel 9 Pty Ltd v Hayden Engerprises Pty Ltd (1989) 16 NSWLR 130; The World Beauty (1970) P 144; Travel Compensation Fund v Robert Tambree [2005] HCA 69; Tyco Australia Pty Ltd v Optus Network Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 433;