St George Fertility Centre Pty Ltd v Clark [2011] NSWSC 1276

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: St George Fertility Centre Pty Ltd v Clark [2011] NSWSC 1276 Hearing dates: 26, 27, 28 September 2011 Decision date: 25 October 2011 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Gzell J Decision: Damages assessed on hypothetical purchase from only supplier with no credit for betterment on number of straws of those supplied that cross-claimant expected to use. Catchwords: DAMAGES - General Principles - breach of contract - sale of goods - Robinson v Harman - plaintiff conducting an assisted reproduction technology practice - hypothetical sale and purchase of straws of sperm - sperm supplied valueless - assessment of time of breach - whether subsequent changes in legislation, codes of practice and ethical guidelines should be taken into account - whether credit should be given for betterment Legislation Cited: Sale of Goods Act 1923 Sale of Goods Act 1893 (UK) Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2007 Human Tissue Act 1983 Health Legislation Amendment Act 2004 Human Tissue Regulation 2005 Cases Cited: Robinson v Harman (1848) 1 Exch 850; (1848) 154 ER 363 Ruxley Electronics and Construction Ltd v Forsyth [1994] 1 WLR 650; [1994] 3 All ER 801 Tabcorp Holdings Ltd v Bowen Investments Pty Ltd [2009] HCA 8; (2008-2009) 236 CLR 272 The Commonwealth v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd [1991] HCA 54; (1991) 174 CLR 64 Johnson v Perez [1988] HCA 64; (1988) 166 CLR 351 Golden Strait Corp v Nippon Yusen Kubishika Kaisha [2007] 2 WLR 691; [2007] 3 All ER 1 Gagner Pty Ltd (t/as Indochine Cafe) v Canturi Corporation Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 413; (2009) 262 ALR 691 Dodd Properties Ltd v Canterbury City Council [1980] 1 All ER 928 Kizbeau Pty Ltd v WG & B Pty Ltd [1995] HCA 4; (1995) 184 CLR 281 Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158 Roberts v Rodier [2006] NSWSC 282; (2006) 12 BPR 98191 Harbutt's Plasticine Ltd v Wayne Tank and Pump Co Ltd [1970] 1 QB 447 Photo Production Ltd v Securicor Transport Ltd [1980] AC 827 Biscayne Partners Pty Ltd v Valance Corp Pty Ltd & Ors [2003] NSWSC 1016 Houghton v Immer (No 155) Pty Ltd (1997) 44 NSWLR 46 Commercial & Accounting Services (Camden) v Cummins [2011] NSWSC 843 Category: Costs Parties: St George Fertility Centre Pty Ltd (Plaintiff/First Cross-Defendant) Anne Clark (Defendant/Cross-Claimant) David Charles Ross Macourt (Second Cross-Defendant) Representation: Counsel C Harris SC/ H Altan (Plaintiff/Cross-Defendants) A Leopold SC/ A Vincent (Defendant/Cross-Claimant) Solicitors Redmond Hale Simpson Solicitors (Plaintiff/Cross-Defendants) Norton Rose Australia (Defendant/Cross-Claimant) File Number(s): 2006/255614