Australand Holdings Limited v Transparency & Accountability Council Incorporated [2008] NSWSC 669

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Australand Holdings Limited v Transparency & Accountability Council Incorporated [2008] NSWSC 669

HEARING DATE(S) : 25 March - 28 March 2008 & 1 April 2008

JUDGMENT DATE : 4 July 2008

JURISDICTION : Common Law

JUDGMENT OF : McCallum J

1. I make orders 1 to 4 sought in the Statement of Claim dated 16 January 2007 with the omission of the words "the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW)" from item 3 in the Allegations set out in the schedule to the Statement of Claim. DECISION : 2. I dismiss the plaintiff's claim to the extent that it sought an order restraining the defendants from publishing the allegation that the plaintiff in its dealings with the second defendant and his wife has breached the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW). 3. I dismiss the plaintiff's claim under the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW). 4. I order the defendants to pay half the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings.

CATCHWORDS : COMMON LAW - Fair Trading Act - whether defendants' conduct in trade or commerce - whether allegations misleading or deceptive - injurious falsehood - malice - whether threat of publication constitutes improper purpose

Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED : Home Building Act 1989 (NSW) Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) Secret Commissions Act 1905 (NSW)

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Chapman v Luminous Pty Ltd (2001) 123 FCR 62 Concrete Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594 Fasold v Roberts (1997) 70 FCR 489 Horrocks v Lowe [1975] AC 135 Houghton v Arms (2006) 225 CLR 553 CASES CITED : Palmer Bruyn & Parker Pty Ltd v Parsons (2001) 208 CLR 388 Swimsure Laboratories v McDonald [1979] 2 NSWLR 796 TCN Pty Ltd v Ilvariy Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 9 Unilan Holdings Pty Limited v Kerin (1992) 35 FCR 272 Webb v Bloch (1928) 41 CLR 331 Wilts United Dairies v Thomas Robinson Sons & Co [1957] RPC 220 Yorke v Lucas (1985) 158 CLR 661