Islamic Council of South Australia Inc v Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Inc [2009] NSWSC 211

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Islamic Council of South Australia Inc v Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Inc [2009] NSWSC 211

HEARING DATE(S) : 13 February 2009 JURISDICTION : Equity Division Expedition List

JUDGMENT OF : Brereton J

EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE : 16 February 2009

DECISION : Declaration that AFIC has been bound to call a meeting of the Federal Council since 25 November 2008. Order that AFIC convene meeting. Order that Defendant pay Plaintiff's costs.

CATCHWORDS : VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS - Declaration and injunction sought requiring calling of meeting pursuant to requisition of member - Organisations – whether preconditions satisfied - whether requests to call meeting validly made - whether request via email "in writing" - held that requests validly made – held that email is writing – whether dispute justiciable - whether constitution of organisation constitutes a legally binding and enforceable contract – where Constitution had been treated by parties as binding in earlier litigation –held that organisation's constitution is legally binding and enforceable – whether relief should be refused on discretionary grounds

LEGISLATION CITED : (NSW) Associations Incorporation Act 1984 s 11(2) (NSW) Limitation Act 1969 s 54(4)

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

B Seppelt & Sons Ltd v Commissioner for Main Roads (1975) 1 BPR 9147 Barrier Wharfs Ltd v W Scott Fell & Co Ltd (1908) 5 CLR 647 Brambles Holdings Ltd v Bathurst Industry Council [2001] NSWCA 61, (2001) 53 NSWLR 153 Cameron v Hogan (1934) 51 CLR 358 Carter v NSW Netball Association [2004] NSWSC 737 Coleman v Liberal Party of the Australia (NSW Division) (No 2) [2007] NSWSC 736, (2007) 212 FLR 271 Dixon v Esperance Bay Turf Club Inc [2002] WASC 110 Exceptional Sunrise Pty Ltd v Jones [2008] QSC 190 Field v NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners & Trainers Association [1972] 2 NSWLR 948 Goodwin v VVMC Club Australia (NSW Chapter) [2008] NSWSC 154 Green v Page [1957] Tas SR 66 CASES CITED : Howard Smith & Co v Varawa (1907) 5 CLR 68 Islamic Council of NSW v Australian Federation of Islamic Councils [2000] NSWSC 115 Kovacic v Australian Karting Association (Qld) Inc [2008] QSC 344 McClelland v Burning Palms Surf Life Saving Club [2002] NSWSC 470, (2002) 191 ALR 759 McGuren v Simpson [2004] NSWSC 35 Millar v Houghton Table Tennis & Sports Club Inc [2003] SASC 1 Plenty v Seventh-Day Adventists Church of Port Pirie [2009] SASC 10 Rose v Boxing New South Wales Inc [2007] NSWSC 20 Rush v WA Amateur Football League (Inc)[2007] WASCA 190 Rush v WA Amateur Football League(Inc) [2001] WASC 154 Scandrett v Dowling (Women's Ordination case) (1992) 27 NSWLR 483 South Norseman Gold Mines v MacDonald [1937] SASR 53