Salib v Gakas; Newport Pacific Pty Ltd v Salib [2010] NSWSC 505

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Salib v Gakas; Newport Pacific Pty Ltd v Salib [2010] NSWSC 505 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S) : 22-26 February, 8 & 9 March 2010

JUDGMENT DATE : 21 May 2010

JURISDICTION : Equity

JUDGMENT OF : Ward J

DECISION : Dismiss plaintiff's claim in proceeding 2007/00256633 Judgment for plaintiff in proceedings 2008/00278795

CATCHWORDS : PARTNERSHIP - principles concerning existence of partnership - whether business relationship constituted a partnership entitling Ms Salib to share of capital of business - HELD - no partnership but arrangement whereby Ms Salib provided administrative services in return for commission on profits earnt - RESTITUTION - whether Ms Salib had been overpaid commission by mistake - whether final payment made by Mr Gakas was due to a mistaken belief as to accuracy of calculations concerning Ms Salib's entitlement or was to determine business relationship between them on a final basis - HELD - final payment was not made under a mistake although earlier payments were made under a mistake

LEGISLATION CITED : Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Partnership Act 1892 (NSW)

Adam v Newbigging (1888) 13 App Cas 308 Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation [1988] HCA 17; (1988) 164 CLR 662 Badeley v Consolidated Bank (1888) 38 Ch D 238 BSP Technical Services Pty Limited v AMEV-UDC Finance Limited (unreported, Hodgson J, 25 March 1985 Canny Gabriel Castle Jackson Advertising Pty Limited v Volume Sales (Finance) (1974) 131 CLR 321; (1974) 3 ALR 409 Cartwright v Rowley (1799) 2 Esp 723; 170 ER 509 Commercial Bank of Australia v Younis [1979] 1 NSWLR 444 Cribb v Korn (1911) 12 CLR 205; [1911] HCA 9 David Securities Pty Ltd v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1992) 175 CLR 353; (1992) 109 ALR 57 Elkin & Co v Specialised TV Installations [1961] SR (NSW) 165; (1959) 77 WN (NSW) 844) Farah Constructions Pty Ltd v Say-Dee Pty Ltd [2007] HCA 22; (2007) 230 CLR 89; (2007) 236 ALR 209 Gould v Vaggelas (1985) 157 CLR 215 Henville v Walker (2001) 206 CLR 459 Hybernia Management & Development Co v Newfoundland Steel Inc (1996) NFLD & PEIR 90 In re Young: Ex parte Jones [1896] 2 QB 484 CASES CITED : Industrial Equity Limited v Lyons (NSWSC unreported, Cohen J, 15 October 1991) Kelly v Solari (1841) 9 M & W 53; 152 ER 24 Lumbers v W Cook Builders Pty Limited [2008] HCA 27; (2008) 232 CLR 635; (2008) 247 ALR 412 Makita (Australia) Pty Limited v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 Malco Engineering Pty Limited v Ferreira & ors (1994) 10 NSWCCR 117 Mollwo, March & Co v Court of Wards (1872) LR 4 P.C. 419; 17 ER 495 Momentum Productions Pty Limited v Lewarne [2009] FCAFC 30; (2009) 268 FCR; (2009) 254 ALR 471 Pavey & Matthews Pty Ltd v Paul [1987] HCA 5; (1987) 162 CLR 221; (1987) 69 ALR 577 Phillips-Higgins v Harper [1954] 1 QB 411; [1954] 2 All ER 51 San Sebastian Pty Ltd v The Minister (1986) 162 CLR 340 Television Broadcasters Limited v Ashton's Nominees Pty Limited [No 1] (1979) 22 SASR 552 Torrens Aloha Pty Ltd v Citibank NA [1997] FCA 77; (1997) 72 FCR 581; (1997) 144 ALR 89; (1997) 35 ATR 36 United Dominion Corporation Limited v Brian [1985] HCA 49; (1985) 157 CLR 1; (1985) 60 ALR 741 United Builders Pty Limited v Mutual Acceptance Limited (1980) 144 CLR 673; (1980) 33 ALR 1 Wasada Pty Limited v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (No.2) [2003] NSWSC 987 Weiner v Harris [1910] 1 KB 285 Wiltshire v Kuenzli (1945) 63 WN (NSW) 47