Kheng Kok Chua v Archiworks Architects Pty Limited [2010] NSWSC 76

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Kheng Kok Chua v Archiworks Architects Pty Limited [2010] NSWSC 76

HEARING DATE(S) : 2 February 2010 JURISDICTION : Equity Division Technology and Construction List

JUDGMENT OF : McDougall J at 1

EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE : 2 February 2010

1. The Court adopts the reference report of Mr J M N Rolfe QC dated 30 July 2009. 2. Verdict and judgment in favour of the Cross Claimant against the Cross DECISION : Defendants in the amount of $120,583.30 (inclusive of interest payable in accordance with the terms of the Construction Management Agreement dated 1 November 2004). 3. The Cross Defendants to pay the Cross Claimant's costs of the Cross-Claim.

CATCHWORDS : PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - referee's report - whether referee's report should be adopted - relevant principles - whether referee erred in construction of orders for reference - no error in construction - UCPR r 20.24. - CONTRACTS - construction - whether referee misconstrued relevant provisions of construction management agreement - meaning of "costs of the works" in contract. - COSTS - indemnity costs - whether time limit for acceptance of offer of compromise was reasonable - not reasonable - costs not ordered UCPR rr 20.26, 42.12.

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Chocolate Factory Apartments Limited v Westpoint Finance Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 784 Chloride Batteries Australia Ltd v Glendale Chemical Products Pty Ltd (1988) 17 NSWLR 60 Franks & Anor v Berem Constructions Pty Ltd (NSWCA, 2 December 1998, unreported; BC 9806367) CASES CITED : Foxman Holdings Pty Ltd v NMBE Pty Ltd (1994) 38 NSWLR 615 Hughes Bros Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (Rolfe J, 17 August 1994, unreported; BC 9402885) Super Pty Ltd v SJP Formwork (Aust) Pty Ltd (1992) 29 NSWLR 549 White Constructions (NT) Pty Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia (1990) 7 BCL 193 Xuereb v Viola (1989) 18 NSWLR 453