Almond Investors Limited v Kualitree Nursery Pty Limited & Anor [2011] NSWCA 198

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Almond Investors Limited v Kualitree Nursery Pty Limited & Anor [2011] NSWCA 198 Hearing dates: 23 June 2011 Decision date: 27 July 2011 Before: Bathurst CJ at 1; Giles JA at 91; Handley AJA at 92 Decision: 1 Appeal allowed. 2 In the event that the appellant and the respondents agree on the question of costs, direct that the appellant file short minutes of order to give effect to this judgment within 7 days of the date hereof. 3 In the event that the parties are unable to agree on the question of costs: (a) Order that the appellant file any submissions on this issue within 10 days of the date hereof; (b) Order that the respondents file any submissions in reply 7 days thereafter. [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: CONTRACTS - general contractual principles - construction of contract CONTRACTS - general contractual principles - anticipatory breach - negotiations for substituted performance fail - repudiation - whether election to affirm CONTRACTS - general contractual principles - repudiation - where terminating party is in breach of a non-essential term - whether breach of non-essential term negates right to terminate for repudiation Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2009, s 100 Cases Cited: Ankar Pty Limited v National Westminster Finance (Australia) Ltd [1987] HCA 15; (1987) 162 CLR 549 DTR Nominees Pty Limited v Mona Homes Pty Limited [1978] HCA 12; (1978) 138 CLR 423 Foran v Wight [1989] HCA 51; (1989) 168 CLR 385 Franklins Pty Limited v Metcash Trading Ltd [2009] NSWCA 407; (2009) 76 NSWLR 603 Hongkong Fir Shipping Co Limited v Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd [1962] 2 QB 26 Immer (No 145) Pty Limited v The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) [1993] HCA 27; (1993) 182 CLR 26 Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council v Sanpine Pty Limited [2007] HCA 61; (2007) 233 CLR 115 Laurinda Pty Limited v Capalaba Park Shopping Centre Pty Limited [1989] HCA 23; (1989) 166 CLR 623 Macquarie International Health Clinic Pty Limited v Sydney South West Area Health Service [2010] NSWCA 268 Maggbury Pty Limited v Hafele Australia Pty Limited [2001] HCA 70; (2001) 210 CLR 181 Nursery Nuts v Almond Investors Ltd [2010] NSWDC 71 Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas [2004] HCA 35; (2004) 218 CLR 451 Rawson v Hobbs [1961] HCA 72; (1961) 107 CLR 466 Roadshow Entertainment Pty Limited v (ACN 053006269) Pty Limited (Receiver & Manager Appointed) (1997) 42 NSWLR 462 Sargent v ASL Developments Ltd [1974] HCA 40; (1974) 131 CLR 634 Sharjade Pty Limited v The Commonwealth [2009] NSWCA 373; (2009) 15 BPR 28,443 Shepherd v Felt & Textiles of Australia Ltd (1931) 45 CLR 359 Shevill v The Builders' Licensing Board [1982] HCA 47; (1982) 149 CLR 620 Suttor v Gundowda Pty Limited (1950) 81 CLR 418 The Craftsmen Restoration & Renovations Pty Limited v Boland [2011] NSWCA 147 Toll (FGCT) Pty Limited v Alphapharm Pty Limited [2004] HCA 52; (2004) 219 CLR 165 Tramways Advertising Pty Limited v Luna Park (NSW) Ltd (1938) SR (NSW) 632 at 641-642 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Almond Investors Limited (Appellant) Kualitree Nursery Pty Limited (First Respondent) Trading Consultants Pty Limited (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel J Gleeson SC and E M Peden (Appellant) A Black SC (Respondents) Solicitors Bruce Stewart Dimarco (Appellant) Walsh & Blair (Respondents) File Number(s): CA 2010/130203 Decision under appeal Citation: [2010] NSWDC 71 Date of Decision: 2010-04-28 00:00:00 Before: Norrish DCJ File Number(s): 73/08 (Wagga Wagga)