Palinkas v Palinkas [2009] NSWSC 92

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Palinkas v Palinkas [2009] NSWSC 92

HEARING DATE(S) : 19 & 20 February 2009

JUDGMENT DATE : 27 February 2009

JURISDICTION : Equity

JUDGMENT OF : Austin J

DECISION : Declaration that the plaintiffs are entitled to recoupment of $210,000 plus interest reflecting their contribution to the defendant's property; order imposing equitable charge to secure that entitlement

CATCHWORDS : EQUITY - plaintiffs'contribution to improvement of defendant's property pursuant to joint relationship or endeavour, the substratum of which is later removed without attributable blame - whether it would be unconscionable for defendant to retain plaintiffs' contribution - appropriate remedies to give effect to plaintiffs' equity - effect of subsequent agreement between the parties

LEGISLATION CITED : Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 68

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Allina Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1991) 28 FCR 203 Atwood v Maude (1868) LR 3 Ch App Baumgartner v Baumgartner (1987) 164 CLR 137 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW (1982) 149 CLR 337 Congreve v Inland Revenue Commissioners [1947] 1 All ER 168 Corbett Court Pty Ltd v Quasar Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 1163 CASES CITED : Hirst v Tolson (1850) 2 Mac & G 134 [42 ER 52] Hospital Products Ltd v United States Surgical Corporation (1984) 156 CLR 41 Jones v Padavatton [1969] 2 All ER 616 Legione v Hateley (1983) 152 CLR 406 Lyon v Tweddell (1881) 17 ChD 529 Morris v Morris [1982] 1 NSWLR 61 Muschinski v Dodds (1985) 160 CLR 583 SJP Formwork (NSW) Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [1999] NSWSC 941