Chep v Bunnings [2010] NSWSC 301

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Chep v Bunnings [2010] NSWSC 301 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S) : 8/03/10, 9/03/10, 10/03/10, 11/03/10, 12/03/10

JUDGMENT DATE : 7 May 2010

JURISDICTION : Equity Division Commercial List

JUDGMENT OF : McDougall J at 1

DECISION : Direct entry of judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant for damages to be assessed.

CATCHWORDS : TORTS – conversion and detinue – where defendant was in possession of a substantial number of the plaintiffs' pallets – whether demands made on defendant for return of pallets – whether defendant failed to comply – whether defendant is liable for conversion or detinue – whether plaintiffs had a right to immediate possession of pallets – whether the defendant had implied licence to use pallets - whether plaintiffs estopped from contending that any wrong was committed by the defendant by acquiescing in any holding and use of pallets by the defendant. - DAMAGES – whether loss suffered – proper measure of damages for any conversion or detinue – quantum of damages.

LEGISLATION CITED : Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Armory v Delamirie (1722) 1 Strange 505; 93 ER 664 Baud Corp, NV v Brook (1973) 40 DLR (3d) 418 BIS Cleanaway v Tatale [2007] NSWSC 378 Brambles Australia Ltd t/as Chep Australia v Tatale Pty Ltd (2004) Aust Torts Reports 81-759 Butler v Egg and Egg Pulp Marketing Board (1966) 114 CLR 185 Butler v Hobson [1838] 4 Bing. N.C. 290 Commercial Union Assurance Company of Australia Ltd v Ferrcom Pty Ltd (1991) 22 NSWLR 389 Flowfill Packaging Machines Pty Ltd v Fytore Pty Ltd (1993) Aust Torts Reports 81-244 Gaba Formwork Contractors Pty Ltd v Turner Corporation Ltd (1991) 32 NSWLR 175 Gould v Vaggelas (1985) 157 CLR 215 Henry Berry & Co Pty Ltd v Rushton [1937] St. R. Qd. 109 CASES CITED : Houghton v Immer (No 155) Pty Ltd (1997) 44 NSWLR 46 HTW Valuers (Central Qld) Pty Ltd v Astonland Pty Ltd (2004) 217 CLR 640 IBL Ltd v Coussens [1991] 2 All ER 133 John F Goulding Pty Limited v The Victorian Railways Commissioners (1932) 48 CLR 157 Kahler v Midland Bank Limited [1950] AC 24 Livingstone v Rawyards Coal Co (1880) 5 App Cas 25 McKenna and Armisterd Pty Ltd v Excavations Pty Ltd [1957] SR (NSW) 515 Murphy v Overton Investments Pty Ltd (2004) 216 CLR 388 Penfolds Wines Pty Limited v Elliott (1946) 74 CLR 204 Screenco Pty Ltd v R L Dew Pty Ltd (2003) 58 NSWLR 720 Smith New Court Securities Limited v Citibank NA [1997] AC 254 Strand Electric and Engineering Co Ltd v Brisford Entertainments Ltd [1952] 2 QB 246