Proctor v Chahl [2008] NSWSC 1252

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Proctor v Chahl [2008] NSWSC 1252

HEARING DATE(S) : 4 and 5 November 2008

JUDGMENT DATE : 26 November 2008

JURISDICTION : Equity Division

JUDGMENT OF : Ward J at 1

DECISION : Judgment for defendants/cross claimants.

CATCHWORDS : CONVEYANCING – Contract for sale of land – Whether contract validly terminated – Notice to complete given before completion date, as properly construed, had expired – Whether Vendors otherwise entitled to terminate by reason of repudiation or fundamental breach – Whether Vendors unable to rely on notice to complete due to Vendors' breach – Whether Vendors ready willing and able to complete - HELD: Notice to complete invalid – No repudiation or other breach justifying termination by Vendors – Wrongful termination by Vendors itself constituted repudiation. - TIME, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES – Particular words and expressions – Completion date defined as the day "12 months after the date of this contract" – meaning of that expression – HELD: completion date as defined means the day immediately following the expiration of the period of 12 months commencing with the day following the date of the contract.

Interpretation Act 1987 LEGISLATION CITED : Land Tax Management Act 1956 (NSW) Strata Titles Act 1973

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Afovos Shipping Co SA v Pagnan [1982] 1 All ER 449 Angus v Kinraid (1988) ANZ Conv Rep 130 Castle Constructions Pty Ltd v Fekala Pty Ltd (2002) NSW Conv R 56-020 Castle Hill Tyres v Luxspice Pty Limited (1996) 7 BPR 14,959 Codelfa Constructions Pty Limited v State Rail Authority (NSW) (1982) 149 CLR 337 Collingridge v Sontor Pty Limited (1997) 141 FLR 440 Dainford v Yulura (1984) NSW Conv R 55-184 Fekala v Castle Constructions Pty Ltd (2003) NSW Conv R 50-042 Gold Coast Oil Pty Limited v Lee Properties Pty Limited [1985] 1 Qd R 416 Holland v Wiltshire (1950) 90 CLR 409 Jillinda Pty Limited v McCourt [1983] NSW Conv R 55 145 Lester v Garland (1808) 15 Ves 248; 33 ER 748 Lohar Corporation Pty Ltd v Dibu Pty Ltd (1976) 1 BPR 9177 Louinder v Leis (1982) 149 CLR 509 CASES CITED : McNally v Waitzer [1981] 1 NSWLR 294 Mitchell v Foster (1840) 12 Ad & E 472 Neeta (Epping) Pty limited v Phillips (1974) 131 CLR 286 New Zealand Shipping Company v Société des Ateliers et Chantiers de France [1919] AC 1 Ogle v Comboyuro Investments Pty Limited (1976) 136 CLR 444 Regina v The Justices of Shropshire (1838) 9 Ad & E 173 Rian Financial Services v Alfred Investments Properties Pty Limited (1988) NSW Conv R 55-400 Robinson v Waddington (1949) 18 LJ QB 250 Shaddick v Dunsford Investments Pty Limited (1993) 6 BPR 13-295 Shepherd v Felt & Textiles (1931) 45 CLR 759 Sindel v Georgiou (1984) 154 CLR 661 Strickland v Grieve (1996) NSW Conv R 55-762; (1995) 7 BPR 14-376 Taylor v Raglan Developments [1981] 2 NSWLR 117 Wilde v Anstee (1999) 48 NSWLR 387 Young v Higgon (1840) 6 M & W 49