Janos v Chama Motors Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 238

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Janos v Chama Motors Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 238 Hearing dates: 4 July 2011 Decision date: 23 August 2011 Before: Giles JA at [1], Young JA at [2], Handley AJA at [10] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed with costs. (2) Judgment in the District Court set aside. (3) Order of the District Court that the defendants pay the plaintiff's costs on an indemnity basis from 25 November 2009 set aside. (4) In lieu thereof substitute judgment for the plaintiff for $69,351.50 with costs with effect from 10 May 2010. (5) The respondent to have a certificate under the Suitors Fund Act if qualified. [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: CONTRACT - election -- termination for breach -- unequivocal act -- service of legal process CONTRACT - breach -- damages for loss of bargain -- assessment as at date of breach -- later facts relevant CONTRACT - damages -- mitigation -- landlord accepts tenant's repudiation and terminates -- later sells freehold -- sale mitigated loss Legislation Cited: Conveyancing Act 1919; s 23D(2) Landlord and Tenant Act 1899; ss 8 & 10 Real Property Act 1900; s 55 Suitors Fund Act Supreme Court Act 1970; s 73 Cases Cited: Arnold v Mann [1957] HCA 64; 99 CLR 462 Banque Belge v Hambrouk [1921] 1 KB 321 CA Clough v London & North Western Railway Co (1871) LR Ex 26 Dendy v Evans [1910] 1 KB 263 G & A Lanteri Nominees Pty Limited v Fishers Stores Consolidated Pty Limited [2007] VSCA 4 Johnson v Agnew [1980] AC 367 Lakshmijit v Sherani [1974] AC 605 McDonald v Dennys Lascelles Ltd [1933] HCA 25, 48 CLR 457 Nicholas v Thompson [1924] VLR 554 Progressive Mailing House Pty Ltd v Tabali Pty Limited [1985] HCA 14, 157 CLR 17 Property Holdings Pty Limited v Duffy Bros Fruit Market (Campbelltown) Pty Limited [2008] HCA 10, 234 CLR 237 Tebb v Filsee Pty Limited [2010] VSCA 311 The Golden Victory [2007] UK HL 12, [2007] 2 AC 353. The Golden Victory [2007] UKHL 12, [2007] 2 AC 353 Willis v The Commonwealth [1946] HCA 22, 73 CLR 105 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Peter Janos - First Appellant PJ Automotive Pty Ltd - Second Appellant Chama Motors Pty Ltd - Respondent Representation: COUNSEL A Loxton - Appellants D Provera - Respondent John D Hancock Solicitor - Appellants Bazzi Lawyers - Respondent File Number(s): 2010/136923 Decision under appeal Date of Decision: 2010-05-11 00:00:00 Before: Judge Walmsley SC File Number(s): DC 2220 of 2009