Stephenson v Dwyer [2008] NSWCA 123

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Stephenson v Dwyer [2008] NSWCA 123

HEARING DATE(S): 14 February 2008

JUDGMENT DATE: 30 May 2008

JUDGMENT OF: Mason P at 1; Hodgson JA at 72; McColl JA at 123

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: CONTRACTS – EASEMENTS – Documents signed by neighbours containing terms for extinguishment of easement – Signatures expressed as signifying "in principle approval" – Whether binding agreement intended – If so, whether order under s 89 of the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) should be made – Whether necessary, for such an order, that a mortgagee of dominant tenement agree or be joined as a party to the proceedings – Whether necessary, for such an order, that the party agreeing to extinguishment of the easement receive the consideration for that agreement.

LEGISLATION CITED: Real Property Act 1900 (NSW) s 49(4), s 56 Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) s 54A, s 89

CATEGORY: Principal judgment

Ashoil Holdings Pty Ltd v Fassoulas (2005) 12 BPR 23,525; [2005] NSWCA 80 Cacace v Bayside Operations Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 572 Chiu v Healey (2003) 11 BPR 21,241; [2003] NSWSC 857 Re Ellenborough Park [1956] Ch 131 Ermogenous v Greek Orthodox Community of SA Inc [2002] HCA 8; (2002) 209 CLR 95 English Scottish and Australian Bank Ltd v Phillips (1937) 57 CLR 302 CASES CITED: GR Securities Pty Ltd v Baulkham Hills Private Hospital Pty Ltd (1986) 40 NSWLR 631 Masters v Cameron (1954) 91 CLR 353 Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas [2004] HCA 35; (2004) 218 CLR 451 Pieper v Edwards [1982] 1 NSWLR 336 Pralle v Scharka [1978] 2 NSWLR 450 Stephenson v Dwyer [2006] NSWSC 1439 Treweeke v 36 Wolseley Road Pty Ltd (1972) 128 CLR 274 Wolfe v Freijahs' Holdings Pty Ltd [1988] VR 1017