Guang Dong Zhi Gao Australia Pty Limited v Fortuna Network Pty Limited [2009] NSWSC 1170

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Guang Dong Zhi Gao Australia Pty Limited v Fortuna Network Pty Limited [2009] NSWSC 1170 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S) : 12/10/09 - 16/10/09, 19/10/09 - 21/10/09, 26/10/09 - 27/10/09

JUDGMENT DATE : 4 November 2009

JURISDICTION : Equity Division Commercial List

JUDGMENT OF : Einstein J

DECISION : Parties held to have entered into a contract on the terms provided for by the Deed.

CATCHWORDS : Contract - Deeds - Whether deed only in writing or alternatively only partly in writing - Mode of execution of document purporting to be a deed - Whether or not document invalid for formal reasons - Plaintiffs alternative case that by one of a number of routes that which purported to be signed as deed of release could simply be treated as a binding and enforceable agreement - Estoppel - Holding out-Masters and Cameron - Whether defendant entitled to have deed set aside or varied pursuant to section 87 Trade Practices Act - Principles informing decision as to whether or not an agreement that parties have entered into is wholly in writing or partly in writing and partly oral

Corporation Act 2001 (Cwlth) Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED : Evidence Act 1995 (Cwlth) Sale of Goods (Vienna Convention) Act 1986 No. 119 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cwlth)

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Amalgamated Property Company v Texas Bank [1982] QB 84 Australian Medic-Care Company Ltd v Hamilton Pharmaceutical Pty Limited [2009] FCA 1220 Bank of Australasia v Palmer [1897] AC 540); Baulkham Hills Private Hospital Pty Ltd v GR Securities Pty Ltd (1986) 40 NSWLR 622 Bolckow v Seymour (1864) 17 CB NS 107; 144 ER 43; 142 RR 272 Branir Pty Ltd v Owston Nominees (No 2) Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 1833; (2001) 117 FCR 424 (FC) Carmichael v National Power Plc [1999] 1 WLR 2042; [1999] 4 All ER 897 (UKHL) County Securities Pty Ltd v Challenger Group Holdings Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 193 Crabtree-Vickers Pty Ltd v Australian Direct Mail Advertising & Addressing Company Pty Ltd (1975) 133 CLR 72 Deane v The City Bank of Sydney (1904) 2 CLR 198 Equuscorp Pty Ltd v Glengallan Investments Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 55; (2004) 218 CLR 471 Finucane v NSW Egg Corporation (1988) 80 ALR 486 (FCA) Freeman & Lockyer (a firm) v Buckhurst Park Properties ( Mangal) Ltd & Anor [1964] 2 QB 480 Gardiner v Grigg (1938) 38 SR (NSW) 524 Gillespie Brothers & Co v Cheney, Eggar & Co [1896] 2 QB 59 Gordon v Macgregor (1909) 8 CLR 316 Handbury v Nolan (1977) 13 ALR 339 (HCA) Health Outdoor at 191D-F Helmos Enterprises Pty Limited v Jaylor Pty Limited [2005] NSWCA 235 CASES CITED : Hope v RCA Photophone of Australia Pty Ltd (1937) 59 CLR 348 Hoyt's Pty Ltd v Spencer (1919) 27 CLR 133 J Evans & Son (Portsmouth) Ltd v Andrea Merzario Ltd [1976] 1 WLR 1078; [1976] 2 All ER 930 Jessop v McInteer [2003] QCA 170 (FC) Liverpool City Council v Irwin [1977] AC 239 Maggs v Marsh [2006] EWCA Civ 1058; [2006] BLR 395 Masterton Homes PTY LTD v Palm Assets Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 234 Maybury v Atlantic Union Oil Co Ltd (1953) 89 CLR 507 Moore v Garwood (1849) 4 Exch 681 at 689-90; 154 ER 1388 Nicolazzo v Harb [2009] VSCA 79 Nicom Interiors Pty Ltd v Circuit Finance Pty Ltd (2004) 50 ACSR 25 Norwest Beef Industries Ltd v Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co (1987) 8 NSWLR 568 NSW Cancer Council v Sarfaty (1992) 28 NSWLR 68 Palmer v Bank of Australasia (1895) 16 NSWLR (L) 219 Prime Constructions v West Bridge Investments [2004] NSWSC 861 Saad v TWT Ltd [1998] NSWCA 199 State Rail Authority (NSW) v Health Outdoor Pty Ltd (1986) 7 NSWLR 170 Stones v Dowler (1860) 29 LJ Ex 122 Torbett v Faulkner [1952] 2 TLR 659 (EWCA) Turner v Forwood [1951] 1 All ER 746 (EWCA) Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387