Ocean Star Resort Pty Ltd v David Hokyoon Kwon & Anor [2012] NSWSC 318

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Ocean Star Resort Pty Ltd v David Hokyoon Kwon & Anor [2012] NSWSC 318 Hearing dates: 18, 19 & 20 April 2011, 27 May 2011, 16 June 2011, 30 August 2011, 8 & 9 September 2011 and 26 October 2011. Decision date: 11 April 2012 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Slattery J Decision: Assignee's claims not compromised. Moneys paid not recoverable under contract. But contract abandoned and moneys paid recoverable as a result of the abandoned contract, or otherwise in restitution. Directions made for submissions in relation to costs and orders. Catchwords: CONTRACT - contract for assignment of Crown leases subject to conditions precedent including a condition that the Commonwealth consent to assignment - Commonwealth does not give consent - proposed assignee pays money under contract - no assignment - lessor alleges assignee repudiates contract - assignee seeks recovery of moneys paid under contract - whether assignee repudiated contract - whether moneys paid under contract recoverable under contract or in restitution - whether contract abandoned - whether agreement to compromise assignee's claim by repayment of moneys paid under contract. Cases Cited: Almond Investors Limited v Kualitree Nursery Pty Limited & Anor [2011] NSWCA 198 Baltic Shipping Co v Dillon (1993) 176 CLR 344 B.P. Refinery (Westernport) Pty Limited v Shire of Hastings (1977) 180 CLR 266 British & Benningtons Ltd v North West Cachar Tea Co [1923] AC 48 Carr v JA Berriam Pty Ltd (1953) 89 CLR 327 Codelfa Constructions Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337 De Soysa v De Pless Pol [1912] AC 194 DTR Nominees Pty Ltd v Mona Homes Pty Ltd (1977) 138 CLR 423 Gittany v Mcdowell [2009] NSWSC 591 Gorgas v Soon Ok Hwang [2010] NSWSC 1121 Henry Dean & Sons (Sydney) Ltd v P O'Day Pty Ltd (1927) 39 CLR 330 Highmist Pty Ltd v Tricare Ltd [2005] QCA 357 John Nelson Developments Pty Ltd v Focus National Developments Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 150 Lumbers v W Cook Builders Pty Ltd (in liquidation) (2008) 232 CLR 635 Ogle v Comboyuro Investments Pty Limited (1976) 136 CLR 444 Pacific Brands Sport & Leisure Pty Ltd v Underworks Pty Ltd (2006) 230 ALR 56 Pavey & Matthews Pty Ltd v Paul (1987) 162 CLR 221 Perri v Coolangatta Investments Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 537 Rona v Shimden Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 818 Shepherd v Felt & Textiles of Australia Ltd (1931) 45 CLR 359 Steele v Tardiani (1946) 72 CLR 386 Summers v The Commonwealth (1918) 25 CLR 144 Sunbird Plaza Pty Limited v Maloney (1988) 166 CLR 245 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Plaintiff-Ocean Star Resort Pty Ltd First Defendant-David Ho Kyoon Kwon Second Defendant- Soft Star Pty Ltd Representation: Plaintiff-Mr J.R. Young First and Second Defendants-D.P. Robinson SC, D. Hand Plaintiff-Sean Kim, Kim & Associates First and Second Defendants-Sylvia Fernandez, Holding Redlich File Number(s): 2009/290325 Publication restriction: No