Powell General Sheet Metal Pty Ltd v Autopak Nominees Pty Ltd [2011] NSWSC 321

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Powell General Sheet Metal Pty Ltd v Autopak Nominees Pty Ltd [2011] NSWSC 321 Hearing dates: 7 and 8 February 2011, 22 February 2011 Decision date: 06 April 2011 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Sackar J Decision: 1. Declaration that it was the common intention of the plaintiff and the defendant at the time of entry into contract that the contract price was one million five hundred and seventy thousand dollars ($1,570,000.00) plus GST. 2. Order that the contract be rectified to give effect to such intention by providing that the contract price is one million five hundred and seventy thousand dollars ($1,570,000.00) plus GST. 3. Defendant to pay the Plaintiff's costs of the proceedings. Catchwords: CONTRACTS - rectification of contract EQUITY - common mistake - when rectification of contract for common mistake is warranted - common intention of parties to contract on basis other than that specified in the contract - contract inclusive or exclusive of GST EVIDENCE - drawing of adverse inferences due to failure to call witnesses. Cases Cited: Allied Pastoral Holdings Pty Ltd v Hunt FCT (1983) 1 NSWLR 1 Warburton v National Westminster Finance Australia Ltd (1988) 15 NSWLR 238 Marlinga Pty Ltd v Maoor Enterprises Pty Ltd (1973) 128 CLR 336 New South Wales Medical Defence Union Ltd v Transport Industries Insurance Co. Ltd. (1986) 6 NSWLR 740 National Australia Bank Ltd v Budget Stationery Supplies Pty Ltd (1997) 9 BPR 97804 Chartbrook Ltd v Persimmon Homes Ltd [2009] AC 1101 Bishopgate Insurance Australia Ltd v Commonwealth Engineering (NSW) Pty Ltd [1981] 1 NSWLR 429 Re B T Property Trust (unreported, SC NSW, 31 March 1998) Jones v Dunkel 101 CLR 298 Cubillo v Commonwealth 174 ALR 97 Christmas v Nicol Bros Pty Ltd (1941) 41 SR (NSW) 317 S v M (1984) 36 SASR 316 Flint v Lowe (Fed C of A, von Doussa, Higgins, Nicholson JJ, 23 June 1995, unreported) Jones and Another v Sutherland Shire Council (unreported judgment of June 15; Sep 5, 1979) Asim v Penrose & Anor [2010] NSWCA 366 Texts Cited: JD Heydon (2010), Cross on Evidence, Eighth Australian Edition Category: Principal judgment Parties: Powell General Sheet Metal Pty Ltd - Plaintiff Autopak Nominees Pty Ltd - Defendant Representation: Counsel: P Walsh - for plaintiff J Levingston - for defendant Solicitors: Adams & Partners Lawyers - Plaintiff Alexander Lee & Associates - Defendant File Number(s): 2010/301584