Sugar Australia Limited v Conneq [2011] NSWSC 805

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Sugar Australia Limited v Conneq [2011] NSWSC 805 Hearing dates: 13/07/2011 Decision date: 13 July 2011 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Technology and Construction List Before: McDougall J Decision: Interlocutory injunction refused. Proceedings stayed for 42 days, thereafter to be transferred to the Supreme Court of Victoria. Catchwords: CONTRACT - interlocutory application - injunction sought to prevent termination of contract - whether parties should be left to resolve consequences of termination according to mechanisms within the contract - whether specific performance appropriate relief in building contracts. PROCEDURE - contract contains mandatory dispute resolution procedure - whether proceedings should be stayed to that procedure to be followed. PROCEDURE - jurisdiction - whether proceedings ought to be transferred to Supreme Court of Victoria pursuant to s 5(2) of the Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (NSW) - factors for consideration in determining whether proceedings ought to be transferred. Legislation Cited: Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (NSW) Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (VIC) Cases Cited: Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill (2006) 227 CLR 57 Crouch Developments Pty Ltd v D & M (Australia) Pty Ltd [2008] WASC 151 Patrick Stevedores Operations No 2 Proprietary Limited v Maritime Union of Australia (1998) 195 CLR 1 Wolverhampton Corporation v Emmons [1901] 1 KB 515 Texts Cited: Carter's Breach of Contract 3rd ed, (2011) Contract Law in Australia (5th ed, 2007) Doctrines and Remedies (4th ed, 2002) Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (NSW) Meagher, Gummow and Lehane's Equity Category: Principal judgment Parties: Sugar Australia Pty Ltd ACN 081 245 169 (Plaintiff) Conneq Infrastructure Services (Australia) Pty Ltd ACN 081 540 847 (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: F C Corsaro SC / D L Cook / T Cogley (Plaintiff) B W Collins QC / C N Bova (Defendant) Solicitors: Herbert Geer (Plaintiff) Mallesons Stephen Jaques (Defendant) File Number(s): 2011/214730