Energy Australia v Downer Construction (Australia) Pty Ltd & 2 ors [2006] NSWSC 52

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Energy Australia v Downer Construction (Australia) Pty Ltd & 2 ors [2006] NSWSC 52

HEARING DATE(S) : 31.10.05, 01.11.05

JUDGMENT DATE : 15 February 2006

JUDGMENT OF : Nicholas J

DECISION : para 117

CATCHWORDS : BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION – Contracts – Payment claims – Adjudication – Challenge to validity of adjudication application and adjudication determination – Basic and essential requirements for application and determination – Whether differences between payment claim and adjudication application rendered application invalid – Whether adjudicator determined claim substantially different to payment claim – Whether failure to determine payment claim rendered determination void – Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 ss 13, 14, 17, 20, 22, 25. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Judicial Review – Judisdictional error – Whether determination a bona fide exercise of power – Whether denial of natural justice

LEGISLATION CITED : Building & Construction Security of Payment Act 1999 s 13(2); s 14; s 17(1), (3); s 20; s 22; s 25

Brodyn Pty Ltd v Davenport (2004) 61 NSWLR 421 Co-ordinated Construction Co Pty Ltd v Climatech (Canberra) Pty Ltd & Ors [2005] NSWCA 229 Energetech v Sides Engineering & Anor [2005] NSWSC 801 Hawkins Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Mac's Industrial Pipework Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 136 John Holland Pty Ltd v Cardno MBK (NSW) Pty Ltd & Ors [2004] NSWSC 258 CASES CITED : Jemzone Pty Ltd v Trytan Pty Ltd (2002) 42 ACSR 42 Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd v Luikens & Ors [2003] NSWSC 1140 Parist Holdings Pty Ltd v WT Partnership Australia Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 365 Sims v Wran (1984) 1 NSWLR 317 Timwin Construction v Facade Innovations [2005] NSWSC 548 The Minister for Commerce v Contrax Plumbing (NSW) Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 142 Walter Construction Group Ltd v CPL (Surry Hills) Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 266