Atlas Financial International Ltd v Nortbale Pty Ltd; Atlas Financial International Ltd v Nortbale Pty Ltd; Atlas Financial International Ltd v John Palasty [2011] NSWSC 815

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Atlas Financial International Ltd v Nortbale Pty Ltd; Atlas Financial International Ltd v Nortbale Pty Ltd; Atlas Financial International Ltd v John Palasty [2011] NSWSC 815 Hearing dates: 25/7/2011 - 27/7/2011 Decision date: 01 August 2011 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Commercial List Before: Einstein J Decision: 1. The defendants are liable to pay the plaintiff the amounts claimed under the loans in accordance with their obligations as guarantors; 2. The parties are to bring in short minutes of order to reflect these reasons at which time they may address on costs. Catchwords: Oral agreement - Terms of contract - Credit - Assessing documentary evidence - 'without prejudice' proposal - section 131(2)(e) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) - section 131(2)(f) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) - section 131(2)(g) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) - Exceptions to 'without prejudice' rule - Voir dire Legislation Cited: Contracts Review Act 1980 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Cases Cited: Austotel Management Pty Ltd v Jamieson (1995) 57 FCR 411 Barrett Property Group Pty Ltd v Dennis Family Homes Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 276 Bloss Holdings Pty Ltd v Brackley Industries Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 756 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Brown v Commissioner of Taxation [2001] FCA 596; (2001) 187 ALR 714 Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Shahen Serobian [2009] NSWSC 302 Hancock v Williams (1942) 42 SR (NSW) 252 Helton v Allen (1940) 63 CLR 691 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 KC & Ors v Shiley Inc & Anor [1997] FCA 617 Korean Air Lines v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (No 3) (2008) ALR 781 Lohar Corp Pty Ltd v Dibu Pty Ltd (1976) 1 BPR 9177 McFadden v Snow (1952) 69 WN (NSW) 8 Pitts v Adney [1961] NSWR 535 Rejfek v McElroy (1965) 112 CLR 517 SWV Ltd v Spiroc Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 668 Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315 Texts Cited: Odgers, S. Uniform Evidence Law (9th ed), Lawbook Co. 2010. Category: Principal judgment Parties: Atlas Financial International Ltd (Plaintiff in all proceedings) Nortbale Pty Ltd (First Defendant 2009/298726; 2009/298747) Judith Katherine Palasty (also known as Judith Palasty) (Second Defendant 2009/298726; 2009/298747) Billabong Hotel (St Marys) Pty Limited (Third Defendant 2009/298726) John Palasty also known as John Palasty Horvat (Fourth Defendant 2009/298726; Third Defendant 2009/298747; First Defendant 2009/298748)) Ilona Horvat (Fifth Defendant 2009/298726) Representation: Counsel: Mr HJ Neal (Plaintiff) Mr R Dubler SC, Mr D Allen (Defendants) Solicitors: Holman Webb (Plaintiff) Proctor & Associates (Defendants) File Number(s): 2009/298726; 2009/298747; 2009/298748