Foote & Ors v Acceler8 Technologies Pty Ltd & Ors [2012] NSWSC 635

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Foote & Ors v Acceler8 Technologies Pty Ltd & Ors [2012] NSWSC 635 Hearing dates: 4, 5 and 6 June 2012 Decision date: 22 June 2012 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Pembroke J Decision: See paragraph [53] Catchwords: CONTRACT - construction - conditional agreement to lease - option given to one party to terminate if conditions not satisfied - conditionality not absolute CONTRACT - void for uncertainty - agreement apparently incomplete as to essential matter - mechanism for curing omission - matter left for determination of one of contracting parties - not agreement to agree - not incomplete CONTRACT - void for uncertainty - unworkability - applicable principles - agreement prepared without legal assistance - necessity to strive for contractual intention - agreement enforceable Legislation Cited: Health Practitioners Regulation National Law (NSW) National Health Act 1953 (Cth) Retail Leases Act 1994 Cases Cited: Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd [1973] HCA 36; (1973) 129 CLR 99 Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd v Pace (1988) 15 NSWLR 130 Booker Industries Pty Ltd v Wilson Parking (Qld) Pty Ltd [1982] HCA 53; (1982) 149 CLR 600 Bowen v Alsanto Nominees Pty Ltd [2011] WASCA 39 British Bank for Foreign Trade Ltd v Novinex [1949] 1 KB 623 Byrne v Australian Airlines [1995] HCA 24; (1995) 185 CLR 410 Condor Developments Pty Ltd v Helsby [2010] WASCA 16 Coulls v Bagot's Executor & Trustee Co Ltd [1967] HCA 3; (1967) 119 CLR 460 F & G Sykes (Wessex) Ltd v Fine Fare Ltd [1967] 1 Lloyd's Rep 53 G Percy Trentham v Archital Luxfer Ltd [1993] 1 Lloyd's Rep 25 Godecke v Kirwan [1973] HCA 38; (1973) 129 CLR 629 Helmos Enterprises Pty Ltd v Jaylor Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 235 Hillas & Co Ltd v Arcos [1932] All ER Rep 494 May & Butcher Ltd v R [1934] 2 KB 17n Meehan v Jones [1982] HCA 52; (1982) 149 CLR 571 NZI Insurance Limited v Baryzcka [2003] SASC 190; (2003) 85 SASR 497 Pagnan SpA v Feed Products Ltd [1987] 2 Lloyd's Rep 601 Peatties Road v Hanson [2004] NSWSC 831 Sandra Investments Pty Ltd v Booth [1983] HCA 46; (1983) 153 CLR 153 Secured Income Real Estate v St Martins Investments Pty Ltd [1979] HCA 51; (1979) 144 CLR 596 Seven Network (Operations) Limited v Warburton (No 2) [2011] NSWSC 386 Software AG (Australia) Pty Ltd v Racing & Wagering Western Australia [2009] FCAFC 36 Sudbrook Trading Ltd v Eggleton [1983] AC 444 Sweet & Maxwell Ltd v Universal News Services Ltd [1964] 2 QB 699 Thorby v Goldberg [1964] HCA 41; (1964) 112 CLR 597 Toyota Motor Corp Australia Ltd v Ken Morgan Motors Pty Ltd [1994] 2 VR 106 Transfield Pty Ltd v Feiersinger [1988] NSWCA 160 Upper Hunter County District Council v Australian Chilling & Freezing Co Ltd [1968] HCA 8; (1968) 118 CLR 429 Vodaphone Pacific Ltd v Mobile Innovations Ltd [2004] NSWCA 15 Vroon BV v Foster's Brewing Group Ltd [1994] 2 VR 32 Category: Separate question Parties: Cameron Andrew Foote - first plaintiff Gary Paul McGraw - second plaintiff Matthew Paul McGraw - third plaintiff Acceler8 Technologies Pty Ltd ATF The A8 Trust - first defendant Kathy Leigh Shannon - second defendant Lane Business Group Pty Ltd - third defendant Berwickshire Pty Ltd - fourth defendant Representation: Counsel: S A Benson with P G Wallis and B D Eurell - for the plaintiffs K E Morrissey - for the first and second defendants M G McHugh with T V Flaherty - for the third and fourth defendants Solicitors: Stoddart Legal - for the plaintiffs Cook & Braham - for the first and second defendants Gadens Lawyers - for the third and fourth defendants File Number(s): 2012/045262