Benwine v Jabetin; Jabetin v Liqour Adminsitration [2004] NSWSC 995

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Benwine v Jabetin; Jabetin v Liqour Adminsitration [2004] NSWSC 995 HEARING DATE(S) : 11/10/04 JUDGMENT DATE : 1 November 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Gzell J DECISION : Judicial review of Board's approval dismissed. Declaration made that remaining poker machine entitlements at end of lease will be held in trust for lessee.

CATCHWORDS : LIQUOR LAW - Licensing - Liquor Administration Board - Poker Machine Entitlements - Board's Approval of Transfer - Whether Board erred in finding that hotel owner had no financial interest in the hotelier's licence - Whether financial interests exhaustibely defined - Whether entitlements a species of property separate from the hotelier's licence - Whether hotel owner will hold any remaining poker machine entitlements on expiry or earlier determination of lease of hotel on a resulting or constructive trust for the current lessee Gaming Machines Act 2001 LEGISLATION CITED : Gaming Machines Amendment Act 2002 Conveyancing Act 1919 Supreme Court Act 1970 Mellor v Liquor Administration Board [2003] NSWSC 38 Wonall Pty Ltd v Clarence Property Corporation Ltd (2003) 58 NSWLR 23 Craig v South Australia (1994-1995) 184 CLR 163 Hart v Bell, unreported, NSWCA, 6 November 1992 Mark v Green (1984) 1 NSWLR 148 at 151 Cross v McHugh (1974) 1 NSWLR 500 O'Sullivan v Farrer (1989) 168 CLR 210 O'Sullivan v Watson (1986) 7 NSWLR 693 YZ Finance Co Pty Ltd v Cummings (1963-1964) 109 CLR 395 CASES CITED : Dilworth v Commissioner of Stamps [1899] AC 99 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Murry (1998) 193 CLR 605 Calverley v Green (1984) 155 CLR 242 Muschinski v Dodds (1984-1985) 160 CLR 583 Nelson v Nelson (1995) 184 CLR 538 The Queen v Toohey Ex Parte Meneling Station Pty Ltd (1982) 158 CLR 327 National Provincial Bank Ltd v Ainsworth [1965] AC 1175 Halwood Corporation Ltd v Chief Commissioner of Stamp Duties (1994) 33 NSWLR 395 Naval, Military and Airforce Club of South Australia Inc v Commissioner of Taxation (1994) 51 FCR 154 Ex parte Berry, Re Kessell (1936) SR (NSW) 485 Baungartner v Baungartner (1987) 164 CLR 137 Benwine Pty Ltd - Plaintiff in Proceedings 1592/04 and 2nd Defendant in Proceedings 5487/04 Jabetin Pty Ltd - 1st Defendant in Proceedings 1592/04 and Plaintiff in Proceedings 5487/04 PARTIES : Liquor Administration Board NSW - 2nd Defendant in Proceedings 1592/04 and 1st Defendant in Proceedings 5487/04 Allan Jackson - 3rd Defendant in Proceedings 5487/04 Fanted Pty Ltd - 4th Defendant in Proceedings 5487/04 FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 1592/04; 5487/04 COUNSEL : Mr T F Bathurst QC/ A Hatzis - Plaintiff in Proceedings 1592/04 and 2nd Defendant in Proceedings 5487/04 Mr D P F Officer QC/ Mr J B Costigan / Mr N Murray - Defendant in Proceedings 1592/04 and Plaintiff in Proceedings 5487/04 Deutsch Partners Lawyers Pty Ltd SOLICITORS : Turnbull Hill Lawyers Crown Solicitors Office - Submitting appearance