Champion Mortgage Services Pty Limited v Charles Menzies Craigie and Anor [2006] NSWSC 869

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Champion Mortgage Services Pty Limited v Charles Menzies Craigie and Anor [2006] NSWSC 869

HEARING DATE(S) : 6 April 2006, 4 May 2006

JUDGMENT DATE : 30 August 2006

JUDGMENT OF : Johnson J at 1

DECISION : The Farm Debt Mediation Act 1994 does not apply in this case - the relief sought by the Defendants on this ground is declined.

CATCHWORDS : REAL PROPERTY - claim by mortgagee for possession of land following alleged default under mortgage by mortgagors - property used as fish farm - commercial fish hatchery for supply of fish to pet shops and aquariums - whether a "farming operation" under the Farm Debt Mediation Act 1994 - use of dictionary meaning as aid to statutory interpretation

Farm Debt Mediation Act 1994 LEGISLATION CITED : Rural Assistance Act 1989 Fisheries Management Act 1994 Interpretation Act 1987

Varga v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1997) NSW ConvR 55-797 Khoury v Government Insurance Office (NSW) (1983-1984) 165 CLR 622 Miles v Ficuga Pty Limited (1996) 131 FLR 171 Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Clark (2003) 57 NSWLR 113 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Horniblow v Napier (1955) NZLR 104 Ellison v Vukicevic (1986) 7 NSWLR 104 Underwood v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1995) 56 FCR 145 CASES CITED : Australian Cherry Exports Limited v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1996) 39 NSWLR 337 Gain v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1997) 42 NSWLR 252 Lawloan Mortgages Pty Limited v Hancock [2001] NSWSC 607 Liberty Funding Pty Limited v Ivosevich [2002] NSWSC 140 Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (NSW) v Zest Manufacturing Company Pty Limited (1949) 79 CLR 166 Mills v Cannon Brewing Company Limited (1920) 2 Ch 38 Halliday v Hornsby Shire Council (1979) 1 NSWLR 391 Symonds v Vass [2003] NSWSC 170 Bradley v Ashton [1999] NSWSC 782 Sherritt Gordon Mines Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1976) 10 ALR 441