COSHOTT v LENIN [2007] NSWCA 153

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: COSHOTT v LENIN [2007] NSWCA 153

HEARING DATE(S): 20 June 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 20 June 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Spigelman CJ at 1; Mason P at 2; Campbell JA at 19

EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE: 20 June 2007

DECISION: Appeal dismissed.

CATCHWORDS: LIMITATION OF ACTIONS – Contracts, torts and personal actions – when time begins to run – particular causes of action – cause of action founded on quasi-contract – unjust enrichment – restitution – quantum meruit – time runs from when the defendant received the benefit – Limitation Act 1969, s 14 - RESTITUTION – Recompense for services rendered – quantum meruit – legal practitioner claim for unpaid fees - RESTITUTION – general principles – whether there is a right of action for unjust enrichment simpliciter – where a contractual promise subsists – relationship of restitution to contract – restitution operates around contract and does not subvert it - STATUTE – Acts of parliament – interpretation – particular words and phrases – general – "quasi contract" – rules of construction – irrelevant that phrase may no longer be used in law – Act to be interpreted according to its plain meaning and not according to prevailing legal orthodoxy – Limitation Act 1969, s 14(1)(a)

LEGISLATION CITED: Limitation Act 1969 s14

David Securities Pty Ltd v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1992) 175 CLR 353 Farah Constructions Pty Ltd v Say-Dee Pty Ltd [2007] HCA 22 Pavey & Matthews Pty Ltd v Paul (1987) 162 CLR 221 Robert Coshott v Michael Lenin [2006] NSWDC 139 CASES CITED: Roxborough v Rothmans of Pall Mall Australia Ltd (2001) 208 CLR 516 Sharpe v Goodhew (1990) 33 IR 238 Stinchcombe v Thomas [1957] VR 509 Trimis v Mina [1999] NSWCA 140 Update Constructions Pty Ltd v Rozelle Child Care Centre Pty Ltd (1990) 20 NSWLR 251 Wasada Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (No 2) [2003] NSWSC 987