Taylor v Dexta Corporation Limited and Others [2006] NSWCA 310

Reported Decision : (2006) 14 ANZ Insurance Cases 61-712

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Taylor v Dexta Corporation Limited and Others [2006] NSWCA 310

HEARING DATE(S): 21 June 2006

JUDGMENT DATE: 10 November 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Beazley JA at 1; Santow JA at 2; Ipp JA at 74

DECISION: Appeal allowed with costs. (See orders at [73])

CATCHWORDS: INSURANCE – home warranty insurance required by the now repealed and replaced Home Building Act 1989 and the Home Building Regulations 1997 – construction of residential dwelling proceeded on assumption by all parties that such construction was covered by home warranty insurance – Insurer denied liability when building contract discovered to pre-date insurance policy – Whether policy, properly construed in those circumstances, covers appellant's house construction.

LEGISLATION CITED: Home Building Act 1989 s18B, s18G, s92(1), s94, s99(1), s102(3) s103B, Home Building Regulations 1997 42(1)(a)(i), 43(1), 43(3), 52, 58

AMP Financial Planning Pty Ltd v CGU Insurance Limited (2004) 13 ANZ Insurance Cases 61-624 Antaios Compania Naviera SA v Salen Rederierna AB [1985] AC 191 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (1973) 129 CLR 99 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337 Cohen & Co v Ockerby & Co Ltd (1917) 24 CLR 288 Investors Compensation Scheme Ltd v West Bromwich Building Society [1998] 1 WLR 896 CASES CITED: Love v Rowtor Steamship Co ltd [1916] 2 AC 527 Maggbury Pty Limited v Hafele Australia Pty Ltd (2001) 210 CLR 181 Prenn v Simmonds [1971] 1 WLR 1381 Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust v South Sydney Council (2002) 186 ALR 289 Sabah Flour and Feedmills Sdn. Bhd. v Comfez Ltd [1988] 2 Lloyd's Rep 18 Walker v Giles (1848) 6 CB 662 Winks v W H Heck & Sons Pty Ltd [1986] 1 Qd R 226