Dubel Pty Limited –v- G&A Constructions Pty Limited [2007] NSWSC 934

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Dubel Pty Limited –v- G&A Constructions Pty Limited [2007] NSWSC 934

HEARING DATE(S) : 9 October 2007

JUDGMENT DATE : 22 October 2007

JUDGMENT OF : Hammerschlag J

DECISION : The report is adopted with modifications. The balance to be repaid by the defendant to the plaintiff is varied to $109,422.69.

CATCHWORDS : CIVIL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Notice of motion for adoption of referees' report pursuant to r 20.24 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) – Adoption opposed on ground that referees erred in findings – Referees not shown to have acted incorrectly in principle or in any other respect – Report adopted CONTRACT – Whether conversation amounted to oral agreement - whether parties intended to be immediately bound - whether exchange of correspondence in any event amounted to binding agreement

LEGISLATION CITED : Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW)

Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd v Sydney Catchment Authority [2005] NSWSC 662 Super Pty Ltd v SJP Formwork (Aust) Pty Ltd (1992) 29 NSWLR 549 Chloride Batteries Australia Ltd v Glendale Chemical Products Pty Ltd (1988) 17 NSWLR 60 Astor Properties Pty Ltd v L'Union des Assurance de Paris (1989) 17 NSWLR 483 Ermogenous v Greek Orthodox Community of SA Inc (2002) 209 CLR 95 CASES CITED : Brambles Holdings Limited v Bathurst City Council (2001) 53 NSWLR 153 Howard Smith & Co Limited v Varawa (1907) 5 CLR 68 Australian Broadcasting Corporation v XIVth Commonwealth Games Ltd (1988) 18 NSWLR 540 Masters v Cameron (1954) 91 CLR 353 G R Securities Pty Limited v Baulkham Hills Private Hospital Pty Limited (1986) 40 NSWLR 631 Helmos Enterprises Pty Limited v Jaylor Pty Limited (2005) 12 BPR 23,021 Baulkham Hills Private Hospital Pty Ltd v G R Securities Pty Ltd (1996) 40 NSWLR 622