Hometeam Constructions Pty Ltd v McCauley [2005] NSWCA 303

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Hometeam Constructions Pty Ltd v McCauley [2005] NSWCA 303

HEARING DATE(S): 27 September 2004; 28 September 2004

JUDGMENT DATE: 7 September 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Ipp JA at 1; Tobias JA at 2; McColl JA at 3

DECISION: Statement of Claim; (1) Appeal allowed.; (2) Set aside the verdict for the respondent on the claim and all orders (including costs orders) made on the claim by Murrell DCJ on 18 June 2003.; (3) Verdict for the appellant on the claim.; (4) Remit the matter to Murrell DCJ to quantify the loss or damage suffered by the appellant and determine all questions of costs of the claim.; ; Amended Cross-Claim; (5) Set aside the verdict, judgment and orders made against the appellant on the cross-claim by Murrell DCJ on 18 June 2003.; (6) Verdict for the appellant on the cross-claim.; (7) Order the respondent to pay the appellant's costs of and incidental to the cross-claim.; Costs of Appeal; (8) Respondent to pay the appellant's costs of and incidental to the appeal.

CATCHWORDS: BUILDING & ENGINEERING CONTRACTS - Notice of Default - whether Notice technically valid - construction - whether warranty to perform building works with due diligence and within the time stipulated in the contract imposed conjoint obligation - due diligence - breach of contract - onus of proof - works not completed by date set for practical completion - evidence of failure to perform building work with due diligence - explanation of period works took. (D)

Conveyancing Act 1881 (Imp) Fair Trading Act 1987 LEGISLATION CITED: Home Building Act 1989 Trade Practice Act 1974

Australian Development Corporation Pty Ltd v White Constructions (ACT) Pty Ltd (1996) 12 BCL 317 Brady v Group Lotus Car Cos plc [1987] 3 All ER 1050 Brenmar Building Co Pty Ltd v University of Newcastle (1999) 15 BCL 467 Etlis v New Age Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 165 Fletcher v Nokes [1897] 1 Ch 271 Pauling v Mayor, Alderman & Burgesses of Borough of Dover (1855) 10 Exch 753; (1855) 156 ER 644 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; (2003) 214 CLR 118 Greater London Council v Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Co Ltd (1986) 34 BLR 50 Hart v MacDonald [1910] HCA 13; (1910) 10 CLR 417 Hick v Raymond & Reid [1893] AC 22 CASES CITED: Hobbs v Petersham Transport Co Pty Ltd [1971] HCA 26; (1971) 124 CLR 220 Hooker Constructions Pty Ltd v Chris's Engineering Contracting Co [1970] ALR 821 Hounslow London Borough Council v Twickenham Garden Developments Ltd [1971] Ch 233 Mannai Investment Co Ltd v Eagle Star Life Assurance Co Ltd [1997] AC 749 Maynard v Goode [1926] HCA 4; (1926) 37 CLR 529 Minister for Public Works v Renard Constructions (ME) Pty Ltd (Supreme Court of New South Wales, unreported, 15 February 1989, BC8902548) Re Stewardson Stubbs & Collett Pty Ltd & Bankstown Municipal Council [1965] NSWR 1671 State of New South Wales v Austeel Pty Ltd [2003] NSWCA 392 Watson v George [1953] HCA 41(1953) 89 CLR 409 Westminster Corporation v J Jarvis & Sons Ltd and Another [1970] 1 WLR 637 Hudson's Building and Engineering Contracts (11th Ed)