Walters v Scarborough [2011] NSWSC 1380

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Walters v Scarborough [2011] NSWSC 1380 Hearing dates: 8-11 August, 24 October 2011 Decision date: 15 November 2011 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Ward J Decision: Alleged partnership/joint venture not established. Declaratory relief refused. Plaintiffs' claim dismissed. Catchwords: PARTNERSHIP - JOINT VENTURE - whether the parties engaged in partnership or joint venture for the importation and sale of insulation ceiling batts - whether breach of fiduciary obligations on unilateral termination of any such agreement - questions of liability only to be determined in preliminary hearing - HELD - no partnership or joint venture for the importation and sale of batts established - no breach of fiduciary obligations Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Partnership Act 1982 (NSW) Cases Cited: Adam v Newbigging & Townend (1888) 13 App Cas 308 Agricultural and Rural Finance v Gardiner [2008] HCA 57; (2008) 251 ALR 322 Ampolex Ltd v Perpetual Trustee Company (Canberra) Ltd (1995) 37 NSWLR 405 Sargant v ASL Developments Ltd; Turnbull v ASL Developments Ltd (1974) 131 CLR 634 Bathurst City Council v PWC Properties Pty Limited [1998] HCA 59; (1998) 195 CLR 566 Baumgartner v Baumgartner [1987] HCA 59; (1987) 164 CLR 137 Birtchnell v Equity Trustees, Executors & Agency Co. Ltd (1929) 42 CLR 384 Brostoff v Clark Kenneth Leventhal (March 11,1996, Dyson J) Canny Gabriel Jackson Advertising Pty Ltd v Volume Sales (Finance) (1974) 131 CLR 321 Commonwealth v Verwayen [1990] HCA 39; (1990) 95 ALR 321 Davies v Newman (2000) W.L.1841655 Dollar Land (Cumbernauld) Ltd v CIN Properties Ltd (1996) S.L.T 186 Giumelli v Giumelli [1999] HCA 10; (1999) 196 CLR 101 Industrial Equity Ltd v Lyons (NSWSC unreported, Cohen J, 15 October 1991) Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Keech v Sandford (1726) 25 ER 223 Liquor National Wholesale Pty Limited v Redrock Co Pty Limited [2007] NSWSC 392 Muschinski v Dodds [1985] HCA 78; (1985) 160 CLR 583 Sargent v ASL Developments Ltd; Turnball v ASL Developments Ltd (1974) 131 CLR 634 United Dominion Corporation Ltd v Brian Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 49; (1985) 157 CLR 1 Weiner v Harris [1910] 1 KB 285 Texts Cited: Handley, Estoppel by Conduct and Election Lindley & Banks On Partnership (18th edn) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Paul Walters (First Plaintiff) *Aussie Insulations* Pty Ltd (Second Plaintiff) Kent Paul Scarborough (Defendant) Representation: Counsel M W Sneddon with A Ahmad (Plaintiffs) S Bell (Defendant) Solicitors Lee Hourigan & Brooks (Plaintiffs) Terrett Lawyers (Defendant) File Number(s): 09/291363