Patey-Dennis v MUT Constructions (NSW) Pty Limited [2011] NSWSC 497

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Patey-Dennis v MUT Constructions (NSW) Pty Limited [2011] NSWSC 497 Hearing dates: 29/04/2011 Decision date: 30 May 2011 Before: Rothman J Decision: (i) Leave to appeal granted; (ii) Appeal allowed; (iii) The judgment of the Local Court of 8 November 2010 in this matter be set aside; (iv) The defendant pay damages to the plaintiffs in the sum of $24,146.25; (v) Interest on the sum awarded from the date of the filing of the statement of claim in the Local Court, being 27 January 2009, to the date of judgment, being 30 May 2011, in the sum of $5,024.08; (vi) Pursuant to the provisions of s 101 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005, interest runs on the amounts as varied from 30 May 2011; (vii) The defendant pay the plaintiffs' costs of and incidental to the appeal and the proceedings in the Local Court, as agreed or assessed; (viii) Otherwise the proceedings are dismissed. Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - appeal from magistrate - question of law, mixed law and fact with leave - no appeal available on ground of factual error - error of law in judgment below; TRADE PRACTICES - misleading or deceptive conduct - failure to inform - examination of whole relationship required; DAMAGES - reliance where omission is misleading - loss of opportunity damages awarded Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 Consumer Protection Act 1969 Local Court Act 2007 Mine Subsidence Compensation Act 1961 Supreme Court Act 1970 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Cases Cited: Allesch v Maunz [2000] HCA 40; (2000) 203 CLR 172 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Telstra Corporation Limited [2004] FCA 987; (2004) 208 ALR 459 Blatch v Archer (1774) 1 Cowp 63; 98 ER 769 CRW Pty Ltd v Sneddon [1972] A.R. (NSW) 17 Farquhar v Bottom [1980] 2 NSWLR 380 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; (2003) 214 CLR 118 Fraser v NRMA Holdings Limited (1995) 55 FCR 452 General Newspapers Pty Ltd v Telstra Corporation (1993) 40 FCR 98 Gould v Vaggelas [1985] HCA 75; (1985) 157 CLR 215 Henjo Investments Pty Ltd v Collins Marrickville Pty Ltd (No 1) (1998) 39 FCR 546 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 9; (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kostas v HIA Insurance Services Pty Limited t/as Home Owners Warranty [2010] HCA 32; (2010) 84 ALJR 663 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd [1990] HCA 20; (1990) 169 CLR 638 March v Stramare (E&MH) Pty Ltd [1991] HCA 12; (1991) 171 CLR 506 Miller & Associates Insurance Broking Pty Ltd v BMW Australia Finance Limited [2010] HCA 31; (2010) 84 ALJR 644 Pappas v Soulac Pty Ltd (1983) 50 ALR 231 Sellars v Adelaide Petroleum NL [1994] HCA 4; (1994) 179 CLR 332 Stuart Alexander & Co (Interstate) Pty Ltd v Blenders Pty Ltd (1981) 53 FLR 307 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Andrew Kevin Patey-Dennis (First Plaintiff) Joanna Ruth Patey-Dennis (Second Plaintiff) MUT Constructions (NSW) Pty Limited (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: