DHJPM Pty Limited v Blackthorn Resources Limited (formerly called AIM Resources Limited) [2011] NSWCA 348

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: DHJPM Pty Limited v Blackthorn Resources Limited (formerly called AIM Resources Limited) [2011] NSWCA 348 Hearing dates: 15 August 2011 Decision date: 30 November 2011 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1] Meagher JA at [2] Handley AJA at [92] Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. [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: ESTOPPEL - equitable estoppel - lease of commercial office premises taken by appellant on basis that premises would be occupied as to part by respondent - subsequent refusal by respondent to occupy that part - claim to enforce an equitable estoppel - issues on appeal - findings of fact challenged - circumstances in which equitable proprietary or promissory estoppels might arise - whether equitable proprietary estoppel in circumstances of this case - requirement that expectation be intended and understood to affect legal relations - whether unjust or unconscionable for respondent to depart from expectation that it would enter into a sub-lease - whether appellant entitled to relief by way of equitable compensation. Legislation Cited: Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Real Property Act 1900 Cases Cited: Actionstrength Ltd v International Glass Engineering In.Gl.En. SpA [2003] 2 AC 541 Amalgamated Property Co v Texas Bank [1982] QB 84 Attorney-General of Hong Kong v Humphreys Estate (Queen's Gardens) Ltd [1987] 1 AC 114 Austotel Pty Ltd v Franklins Self-Serve Pty Ltd (1989) 16 NSWLR 582 Australian Securities Commission v Marlborough Gold Mines Ltd [1993] HCA 15; (1993) 177 CLR 485 Baird Textiles Holdings Ltd v Marks & Spencer PLC [2002] 1 All ER (Comm) 737 Cobbe v Yeoman's Row Management Ltd [2008] 1 WLR 1752; 4 All ER 713 Commonwealth v Verwayen [1990] HCA 39; (1990) 170 CLR 394 Crabb v Arun DC [1976] Ch 179 Delaforce v Simpson-Cook [2010] NSWCA 84 Duke of Beaufort v Patrick (1853) 17 Beavan 60 [51 ER 954] East India Co v Vincent (1740) 2 Atk 83 [26 ER 451] Evans v Evans [2011] NSWCA 92 Flinn v Flinn [1999] 3 VR 712 Gillet v Holt [2001] Ch 210 Giumelli v Giumelli [1999] HCA 10; (1999) 196 CLR 101 Laird v Birkenhead Rail Co [1859] Johns 500 [70 ER 519] Legione v Hateley [1983] HCA 11; (1983) 152 CLR 406 Metropolitan Transit Authority (Vic) v Waverley Transit Pty Ltd [1991] 1 VR 207 Mobil Oil Australia Ltd v Wellcome International Pty Ltd (1998) 81 FCR 475 Plimmer v Mayor of Wellington (1884) 9 App Cas 699 Ramsden v Dyson (1866) LR 1 HL 129 Riches v Hogben [1985] 2 Qd R 292 Selah v Romanous [2010] NSWCA 274 Silovi Pty Ltd v Barbaro (1988) 13 NSWLR 466 S & E Promotions Pty Ltd v Tobin Bros Pty Ltd (1994) 122 ALR 637 Sledmore v Dalby (1996) 72 P&CR 196 Taylor's Fashions Ltd v Liverpool Victoria Trustees Co Ltd [1982] QB 133 Thorner v Major [2009] 1 WLR 776 Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher [1988] HCA 7; (1988) 164 CLR 387 Walton v Walton (Court of Appeal, Civ Div, 14 April 1994, unreported) Whitlock v Brew [1968] HCA 71; (1968) 118 CLR 445 Category: Principal judgment Parties: DHJPM Pty Limited (Appellant) Blackthorn Resources Limited (formerly called AIM Resources Limited) (Respondent) Representation: Counsel M R Speakman SC; N E Chen (Appellant) J C Giles (Respondent) Solicitors Gillis Delaney Lawyers (Appellant) Minter Ellison (Respondent) File Number(s): CA 2010/151645 Decision under appeal Citation: DHJPM Pty Limited v AIM Resources Limited Date of Decision: 2010-06-08 00:00:00 Before: Curtis DCJ File Number(s): DC 4050 of 2008