GE Commercial Corporation (Aust) Pty Ltd v Mell Associates Pty Ltd & Ors [2009] NSWSC 787

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : GE Commercial Corporation (Aust) Pty Ltd v Mell Associates Pty Ltd & Ors [2009] NSWSC 787

HEARING DATE(S) : 29 & 30 July 2009

JUDGMENT DATE : 13 August 2009

JURISDICTION : Equity Division

JUDGMENT OF : Palmer J

DECISION : Declaration as sought by Plaintiff; Amended Cross Claim dismissed.

CATCHWORDS : SALE OF GOODS – TITLE – RETENTION – CONTRACT – Whether statements on face of invoice were contractual terms – whether printed conditions on back of invoice were incorporated into contract – whether inconsistency – whether retention of title clauses authorised on-sale by dealer under floor plan with passing of title.

LEGISLATION CITED : Sale of Goods Act 1923 (NSW) – s 22, s 26(1), s 28(2)

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

- Aluminium Industrie Vaassen BV v Romalpa Aluminium Ltd [1976] 2 All ER 552 - Chattis Nominees Pty Ltd v Norman Ross Homeworks Pty Ltd (Receiver Appointed) (In liq) (1992) 28 NSWLR 338 - Cory Brothers & Co Ltd v Owners of the Turkish Steamship 'Mecca' [1897] AC 286 - Farrow Finance Co Ltd (in liq) v ANZ Executors and Trustee Company Ltd [1998] 1 VR 50 CASES CITED : - Hillas & Co Ltd v Arcos Ltd [1932] All ER Rep 494 - L'Estrange v F. Graucob Ltd [1934] 2 KB 394 - Meehan v Jones (1982) 149 CLR 571 - Simson v Ingham (1823) 2 B & C 65 - Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165 - The Council of the Upper Hunter County District v Australian Chilling & Freezing Co Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 429

GE Commercial Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd (Plaintiff/First Cross Defendant) DMS Davlan Pty Ltd (Second Cross Defendant) PARTIES : Mell Associates Pty Ltd (First Defendant) Parravan Caravan Hire Service Pty Ltd (Second Defendant) LMC Caravan GmbH & Co KG (Third Defendant/Cross Claimant)