Aalders v PA Putney Finance Australia Pty Ltd (formerly Anzax Finance Australia Pty Ltd) and ors [2011] NSWSC 756

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Aalders v PA Putney Finance Australia Pty Ltd (formerly Anzax Finance Australia Pty Ltd) and ors [2011] NSWSC 756 Hearing dates: 10 May 2011 Decision date: 20 July 2011 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Corporations List Before: Ward J Decision: Separate determination of questions of construction of Terms of Settlement as per [161]. Judgment for plaintiff in claim under s 73 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW). Catchwords: CONTRACTS - construction of Terms of Settlement on application pursuant to s 73 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) - whether obligation to pay sum of money was a dependent or independent obligation - construction of option to purchase "each" of a number of vehicles - whether option exercised - whether best endeavours clause amenable to specific performance - claim under indemnity - HELD - obligation to pay money independent of substantial compliance with other obligations - judgment for sum of money - option to purchase construed not as a single all-or-nothing option - option has been exercised on various occasions - best endeavours clause not amenable to specific performance - claim under indemnity partially upheld Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: ABC v Australasian Performing Rights Association Ltd (1973) 129 CLR 99 Barrier Wharfs Limited v W Scott Fell & Co Limited (1908) 5 CLR 647 BCC v Ali [2002] 1 WLR 896 BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1977) 16 ALR 363 Brunner v Greenslade [1971] Ch 993 Carter v Scargill (1875) LR 10 QB 564 Chamber Colliery Ltd v Twyerould [1915] Ch 268 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales [1982] HCA 24; (1982) 41 ALR 367 Edge v Boileau (1885) 16 QBD 117 Film Bars Pty Limited v Pacific Film Laboratories Pty Limited (1979) 1 BPR 9251 Heard v Wadham (1801) 1 East 619 Investors Compensation Scheme Ltd v West Bromwich Building Society [1998] 1 WLR 896 Leadenhall Australia Ltd v Digicall Group Ltd (1996) 19 ACSR 141 Mannai Investments Co Ltd v Eagle Star Life Assurance Co Ltd [1997] AC 749 Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas (2004) 218 CLR 451 Rajski v Bainton [1991] NSWCA 231 Tito v Waddell (No 2) [1977] Ch 106; 3 All ER 129 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165 Texts Cited: Carter, Peden and Tolhurst, Contract Law in Australia (5th edn) Lewison, The Interpretation of Contracts (4th edn) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Adrian Emile Francois Aalders (Plaintiff/First Cross-Defendant) PA Putney Finance Australia Pty Ltd (formerly Anzax Finance Australia Pty Ltd) (First Defendant/ Third Cross-Claimant) Paul Anthony Aalders (Second Defendant/ First Cross-Claimant) Suzanne Maree Aalders (Third Defendant/ Second Cross-Claimant) PA Putney Custodians Pty Ltd (formerly Anzax Custodians Pty Ltd) (Third Cross-Claimant) Alders Finance Pty Ltd (Second Cross-Defendant) Representation: MP Cleary (Plaintiff/Cross-Defendants) J Emmett (Defendants/Cross-Claimants) Cordato Partners (Plaintiff/Cross-Defendants) Shaw Reynolds Bowen & Gerathy (Defendants/Cross-Claimants) File Number(s): 10/029032