Transgrid v Siemens & Anor [2004] NSWSC 87

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Transgrid v Siemens & Anor [2004] NSWSC 87 revised - 1/03/2004 HEARING DATE(S) : 09/12/03, 10/12/03 JUDGMENT DATE : 25 February 2004

JURISDICTION: Equity Division Technology & Construction List JUDGMENT OF : Master Macready at 1 DECISION : Summons dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS : ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - Whether the determination of an adjudicator under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) is open to judicial review - Order in the nature of certiorari sought - discretionary considerations as to the granting of relief - relief refused on discretionary grounds. - CONTRACT LAW - Construction contract - progress claims issued pursuant to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) - Discussion as to whether an adjudictor can exercise the powers of a certifier under the construction contract. Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 LEGISLATION CITED : Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1998 Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, Craig v The State of South Australia (1995) 184 CLR 163 at 178 Anisminic Limited v Foreign Compensation Commission [1969] 2 AC 147 at 171 Musico & Ors v Davenport & Ors [2003] NSWSC 977 Brodyn Pty Limited t/as Time Cost and Quality (ACN 001 998 830) v Philip Davenport & Ors [2003] NSWSC 1019 Abacus v Davenport & Ors [2003] NSWSC 1027 Multiplex Constructions Pty Limited v Luikens & Ors [2003] NSWSC 1140 Hill v King (1993) 31 NSWLR 654 at 661 Leighton Contractors Pty Limited v Campbelltown Catholic Club [2003] NSWSC 1103 at paragraph 73 Transgrid v Walter Construction Group [2004] NSWSC 21 Gill v The Residential Tribunal (2001) 53 NSWLR 425 Valentine v Eid (1992) 27 NSWLR 615 IW v City of Perth (1997) 191 CLR 1 at 12 WMC Resources Limited v Leighton Contractors Pty Limited [1999] WASCA 10, paragraphs 15-26 Atlantic Civil Pty Limited v Water Administration Ministerial Corporation (1992) 39 NSWLR 468 Brodyn Pty Limited t/as Time Cost and Quality (CAN 001 998 830) v Phillip Davenport & Ors [2003] NSWSC 1019 at [14] CASES CITED : Emag Constructions Pty Ltd v Highrise Concrete Contractors (Aust) Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 903 at [35] Luchitti t/as Palluc Enterprises v Tolco Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 1070 at [40] Beckhaus v Brewarrina Shire Council [2002] NSWSC 960 Brewarrina Shire Council v Beckhaus Civil Pty Limited [2003] NSWCA 4 Walter Construction Group Limited v CPL (Surry Hills) Pty Limited [2003] NSWSC 266 R v PLV (2001) 51 NSWLR 736 at 743-4 Campbell v Edwards [1976] 1 WLR 403 Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Ex Parte Palme (2003) 77 ALJR 1829 Re Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Ex Parte Lam (2003) 77 ALJR 699 at 703 Re McBain, Ex Parte Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (2002) 209 CLR 372 at 383 Glennan v The Commissioner of Taxation (2003) 77 ALJR 1195 at 1198 Re Heerey, Ex Parte Heinrich (2001) 185 ALR 106 R v Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration; ex parte Ozane Theatres (Australia) Ltd (1949) 78 CLR 389 at 400 Meagher v Stevenson (1993) 30 NSWLR 736 at 738: PARTIES : Transgrid (A Statutory State-owned Corporation) v Siemens Limited ACN 004 347 880 and William Timothy Sullivan FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 55045/03 COUNSEL : Mr F Corsaro SC for plaintiff Mr RW White SC & Mr M Christie for first defendant SOLICITORS : Doyles Construction Lawyers for plaintiff Baker & McKenzie for first defendant