Statewide Developments Pty Ltd v Higgins [2011] NSWCA 35

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Statewide Developments Pty Ltd v Higgins [2011] NSWCA 35 Hearing dates: 1 February 2011 Decision date: 07 March 2011 Before: Macfarlan JA at 1; Handley AJA at 2; Sackville AJA at 3 Decision: 1. Appeal dismissed. 2. The appellant pay the respondent's costs of the appeal. [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: CONTRACT - damages - purchaser under a contract for the sale of a unit defaults - vendor terminates contract - vendor claims as damages mortgage interest payments - whether evidence established that the claimed loss was caused by the purchaser's breach

CONVEYANCING - primary Judge orders return of deposit under s 55(2A) of the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) by reason of the vendor's misrepresentation prior to the contract - whether any error shown in the exercise of the primary Judge's discretion Legislation Cited: Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 51A, 52, 82

Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), s 55(2A)

Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Alexander v Cambridge Credit Corporation Ltd (1987) 9 NSWLR 310 Carpenter v McGrath (1996) 40 NSWLR 39 Flight v Booth (1834) 1 Bing NC 370; 131 ER 1160 Hadley v Baxendale (1854) 9 Exch 341; 156 ER 145 Havyn Pty Ltd v Webster [2005] NSWCA 182, ATPR (Digest) 46-266 Higgins v Statewide Developments Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 183 Higgins v Statewide Developments Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 383 Hungerfords v Walker [1989] HCA 8; 171 CLR 125 Jampco Pty Ltd v Cameron (No 2) (1985) 3 NSWLR 391 March v E & HM Stramore Pty Ltd [1991] HCA 12; 171 CLR 506 Murphy v Overton Investments Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 3; 216 CLR 388 Nassif v Caminer [2009] NSWCA 45; 74 NSWLR 276 Palasty v Parlby [2007] NSWCA 345; (2008) NSW Conv R 56-205 Robinson v Harman (1848) 1 Ex 850; 154 ER 363 The Commonwealth v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd [1991] HCA 54; 174 CLR 64 Texts Cited: P Butt, The Standard Contract for the Sale of Land in New South Wales (2nd ed, 1998) N Seddon and M P Ellinghaus, Cheshire & Fifoot's Law of Contract (8th Aust ed, 2002) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Statewide Developments Pty Limited (A.C.N. 120 080 404 842) (Appellant) Damian Paul Higgins (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Leeming SC and Ms J Taylor - Appellant Mr P Barham - Respondent Solicitors: Mills Oakley Lawyers - Appellant Paladin Law - Respondent File Number(s): 289007/09 Decision under appeal Citation: Higgins v Statewide Developments Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 183 Date of Decision: 2010-03-16 00:00:00 Before: Barrett J File Number(s): SC 2009/289007