DTC No 1 Pty Ltd & ors v David Norman Matthew & ors [2009] NSWSC 1485

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : DTC No 1 Pty Ltd & ors v David Norman Matthew & ors [2009] NSWSC 1485

HEARING DATE(S) : 12-15 October 2009 JURISDICTION : Equity Division

JUDGMENT OF : Brereton J

EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE : 15 October 2009

DECISION : Specific performance refused. Declare that defendants breached contract. Order inquiry as to damages.

CATCHWORDS : CONTRACT – construction – whether dispute resolution clause operative – no question of principle – CONTRACT – specific performance – contractual dispute resolution clause provides for compulsory sale of land and division of proceeds – whether damages a sufficient remedy – CONTRACT – abandonment – CONTRACT – termination for failure of condition subsequent whether right to terminate once and for all and waived, or continuing

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Barooga Projects (Investments) Pty Limited v Duncan [2004] QCA 149 Devpro v Seamark Pty Limited [2007] QCA 241 ETNA v ARIF [1999] 2 VR 353, [1999] VSCA 99 Immer (No. 145) Pty Limited v Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) (1993) 182 CLR 26 Kayserian Nominees (No. 1) Pty Limited v JR Garner Pty Limited [2008] NSWSC 803 Lantry v Tomule Pty Limited (2007) 12 BPR 23,727, [2007] NSWSC 81 CASES CITED : Lutre Pty Limited & Anor v Ellison (1997) 151 ALR 626 Neate v Parfit [2006] WASC 121 Penola Trading Co Pty Limited v Sunny Springs Pty Limited [2009] VSCA 161 Plumor Pty Limited v Handley (1996) 41 NSWLR 30 Suttor v Gundowda Pty Limited (1950) 81 CLR 418 Waterways Authority of New South Wales v Coal & Allied (Operations) Pty Limited [2007] NSWCA 276. Williams v Commonwealth Bank of Australia [1999] NSWCA 345