Waters Lane Pty Limited v Sweeney [2006] NSWSC 222

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Waters Lane Pty Limited v Sweeney [2006] NSWSC 222

HEARING DATE(S) : 2-3/03/06, 4/04/06

JUDGMENT DATE : 26 April 2006

JURISDICTION : Equity Division

JUDGMENT OF : Rein AJ

DECISION : Summons dismissed: see [168].

CATCHWORDS : Contract for development of property - declaratory relief - onus - construction - "all reasonable endeavours" - express obligation of "good faith" - material breach - notice provisions - whether validly exercised - whether breaches curable - whether "but for" test applicable - reliance on inability caused by party's own breach - whether notice that Conditions Subsequent could not be satisfied should have been sent - materiality of breaches

LEGISLATION CITED : Conveyancing Act 1919, s 129 US Uniform Commercial Code, para 1-203

Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (1973) 129 CLR 99 Australian Casualty Co Limited v Federico (1986) 160 CLR 513 Batson v De Carvalho (1948) 48 SR (NSW) 417 Blanch v British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd (2005) 62 NSWLR 653; [2005] NSWSC 241 Brand v Digi-Tech (Australia) Ltd [2002] NSWSC 416 Burger King Corp v Hungry Jack's Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 187 Commonwealth v Verwayen (1990) 170 CLR 394 Concut Pty Ltd v Worrell (2000) 176 ALR 693; [2000] HCA 64 Dovuro Pty Ltd v Wilkins (2000) 105 FCR 476; [2000] FCA 1902 Egan v Geraghty (unreported, CA(Qld), 16/2/1994, Fitzgerald P, Pincus and Williams JJA, BC9404565) Egerton v Esplanade Hotels London Ltd [1947] 2 All ER 88 Grundt v Great Boulder Pty Gold Mines Ltd (1937) 59 CLR 641 Harrison v Teton Valley Trading Co Ltd [2004] 1 WLR 2577; [2004] EWCA Civ 1028 Hide & Skin Trading Pty Ltd v Oceanic Meat Traders Ltd (1990) 20 NSWLR 310 Hi-Fert Pty Ltd v United Shipping Adriatic Inc (1998) 89 FCR 166; 165 ALR 265 Hong Kong Fir Shipping Co Ltd v Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd [1962] 2 QB 26 Horsey Estate Ltd v Steiger & Petrifite Company Ltd [1899] 2 QB 79 Hospital Products Ltd v United States Surgical Corp (1984) 156 CLR 41 Hungry Jack's Pty Ltd v Burger King Corp [1999] NSWSC 1029 Immer (No 145) Pty Ltd v Uniting Church in Australian Property Trust (NSW) (1993) 182 CLR 26 Investors Compensation Scheme Ltd v West Bromwich Building Society [1998] 1 WLR 896 CASES CITED : Italo-Australian Club Ltd v National Australia Bank Ltd (1989) NSW Conv R 55-461 L Schuler AG v Wickman Machine Tool Sales Ltd [1974] AC 235; [1973] 2 All ER 39 Maggbury Pty Ltd v Hafele Australia Pty Ltd (2001) 210 CLR 181 Massoud v NRMA Insurance Ltd (1995) 62 NSWLR 657 Minister for Immigration Local Government & Ethnic Affairs v Dela Cruz (1992) 34 FCR 348 MK & JA Roche Pty Ltd v Metro Edgley Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 39 Moorgate Mercantile Co Ltd v Twitchings [1976] QB 225; [1975] 3 All ER 314 North v Marina (2003) 11 BPR 21,359; [2003] NSWSC 64 Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas (2004) 218 CLR 451; [2004] HCA 35 Paltara Pty Ltd v Dempster (1991) 6 WAR 85 Re Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance; Ex parte Hoyts Corporation Pty Ltd (1993) 178 CLR 379 Re Strand Music Hall Co Ltd (1865) 35 Beav 153; 55 ER 853 Sargent v ASL Developments Ltd (1974) 131 CLR 634 Taylor v Raglan Developments Pty Ltd [1981] 2 NSWLR 117 Terrell v Mabie Todd & Co Ltd [1952] 2 TLR 574; (1952) 69 RPC 234 The Glendarroch [1894] P 226 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165; [2004] HCA 52 Transfield Pty Ltd v Arlo International Ltd (1980) 144 CLR 83 Tricontinental Corporation Ltd v HDFI Ltd (1990) 21 NSWLR 689 UBH (Mechanical Services) Ltd v Standard Life Assurance Co (The Times, 13 November 1986, CA) United States Surgical Corp v Hospital Products International [1983] 2 NSWLR 157 Vodafone Pacific Ltd v Mobile Innovations Ltd [2004] NSWCA 15 Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387