Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd v Sydney Catchment Authority [2005] NSWSC 662

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd v Sydney Catchment Authority [2005] NSWSC 662

HEARING DATE(S) : 23/05/2005 to 26/05/2005

JUDGMENT DATE : 11 July 2005

JURISDICTION : Equity

JUDGMENT OF : McDougall J at 1

DECISION : I direct the parties, within fourteen days of today's date, to bring in Short Minutes of Order to give effect to these reasons. If the parties cannot agree on the proper costs order to be made, I will hear argument on costs.

CATCHWORDS : TRADE PRACTICES - where Court of Appeal remitted application for adoption of Referee's report - whether conduct misleading or deceptive - whether plaintiff relied on alleged misleading or deceptive conduct - whether Court should make own findings or refer issues to Referee or another referee - whether Referee's finding that plaintiff suffered no loss or damage should be adopted - - whether Court should adopt or reject Referee's finding that plaintiff was not delayed in achieving Practical Completion - whether Court should adopt or reject Referee's finding that there was no agreement that a claim for extension of time could be brought notwithstanding cl 35.5.5 of contract - whether plaintiff entitled to extension of time under cl 35.5 or cl 23. - ESTOPPEL - estoppel by convention - estoppel by representation - whether plaintiff estopped from bringing s 52 claim - - DAMAGES - causation - assessment of damages - whether damages assessed on "no contract" or "alternative contract" basis - nature of alternative contract - whether plaintiff proved loss or damage on either basis.

Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED : Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)

Chloride Batteries Australia Ltd v Glendale Chemical Products Pty Ltd (1988) 17 NSWLR 60 Coghlan v S H Lock (Australia) Ltd (1985) 4 NSWLR 158 Con-Stan Industries of Australia Pty Ltdv Norwich Winterthur Insurance (Australia) Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 226, 244 Eslea Holdings Pty LTd v BUtts (1986) 6 NSWLR 175 Foxman Holdings Pty Ltd v NMBE Pty Ltd (1995) 38 NSWLR 615 Franks & Anor v Berem Constructions Pty Ltd (NSWCA 2/12/98, unreported; BC 9806367) Henjo Investments Pty Ltd v Collins Marrickville Pty Ltd (1988) 79 ALR 83 HTW Valuers (Central Qld) Pty Ltd v Astonland Pty Ltd (2004) 79 ALJR 190 Hughes Bros Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (Rolfe J, 17 August 1994, unreported; BC 9402885) IOOF Australia Trustees (NSW) Ltd v Tantipech (1998) 156 ALR 470 Keen Mar Corp Pty Ltd v Labrador Park Shopping Centre Pty Ltd (1989) ATPR (Digest) 46-048 March v Stramare (E&MH) Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506 CASES CITED : Marks v GIO Australia Holdings Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 494 Murphy & Anor v Overton Investments Pty Limited (2004) 78AYR 324 Oraka Pty Ltd v Leda Holdings Pty LTd (1997) ATPR 41-558 Peninsula Balmain Pty Limited v Abigroup Contractors Pty Limited [2002] NSWCA 211 Seven Sydney v Fuji Zerox [2004] NSWSC 902 Smith New Court Securities Ltd v Scrimgeour Vickers (Asset Management) Ltd [1997] AC 254, 284 Super Pty Ltd v SJP Formwork (Aust) P/L (1992) 29 NSWLR 549 The Commonwealth v Verwayen (1990) 170 CLR 394 Waltip Pty LTd v Capalaba Park Shopping Centre Pty Ltd (1989) ATPR 404-975 Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387 Wardley Australia Ltd v The State of Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 White Constructions (NT) Pty Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia (1990) 7 BCL 193 Zuereb v Viola (1988) 18 NSWLR 453