Ian Allan Byrne v A J Byrne Pty Limited [2012] NSWSC 667

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Ian Allan Byrne v A J Byrne Pty Limited [2012] NSWSC 667 Hearing dates: 8, 9 and 10 May 2012 Decision date: 19 June 2012 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Corporations List Before: Black J Decision: Oppression not made out. Parties to be heard as to form of orders. Catchwords: CORPORATIONS - Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 233(1)(d) - Oppression - Nature of oppression - Whether offer to acquire shares at minority discount gives rise to unfairness - Winding up - Just and equitable ground - Whether quasi-partnership. Legislation Cited: - Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 53, 53(a), 53(c), 232, 232-233, 233, 233(1)(a), 233(1)(d), 233(1)(e), 461(1)(k), 467(4) - Partnership Act 1892 (NSW) - Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) r 6.30 Cases Cited: - Belgiorno-Zegna v Exben Pty Ltd [2000] NSWSC 884; (2000) 35 ACSR 305 - Bird Precision Bellows Ltd [1984] Ch 419 - Byrne v Byrne [2011] NSWSC 1437 - Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd [2009] HCA 25; (2009) 238 CLR 304 - Crawley v Short [2009] NSWCA 410; (2009) 76 ACSR 286 - Cumberland Holdings Ltd v Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co Ltd (1977) 2 ACLR 307 - CVC/Opportunity Equity Partners Ltd v Demarco Almeida [2002] UKPC 16; [2002] 2 BCLC 108 - Re DG Brims & Sons Pty Ltd (1995) 16 ACSR 559 - Dynasty Pty Ltd v Coombs (1995) 59 FCR 122; 138 ALR 64 - Ebrahimi v Westbourne Galleries Ltd [1973] AC 360 - Fexuto Pty Ltd v Bosnjak Holdings Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 97; (2001) 37 ACSR 672; 19 ACLC 856 - GFS Management Services Pty Ltd v Ground & Foundation Supports Pty Ltd [2001] WASC 143 - Harding Investments Pty Ltd v PMP Shareholdings Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 567; (2011) 282 ALR 229 - Liosatos v Kefalinian Brotherhood "O Kefalos" of NSW [2000] NSWSC 1138 - Lord v Dernacourt Investments Pty Ltd (unreported, McLelland CJ in Eq, 14 March 1994) - MMAL Rentals Pty Ltd v Bruning [2004] NSWCA 451; (2004) 63 NSWLR 167 - McMillan v Toledo Enterprises International Pty Ltd (1995) 18 ACSR 603 - McWilliam v LJR McWilliam Estates Pty Ltd (1990) 20 NSWLR 703 - Mopeke Pty Ltd v Airport Fine Foods Pty Ltd [2007] NSWSC 153; 61 ACSR 395 - Morgan v 45 Flers Avenue Pty Ltd (1986) 10 ACLR 692 - Nassar v Innovative Precasters Group Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 342; (2009) 71 ACSR 343 - O'Neill v Phillips [1999] 1 WLR 1092 - Re A Company [1983] Ch 178 - Re Bird Precision Bellows [1984] Ch 419 - Re Bird Precision Bellows Ltd [1986] Ch 658 - Re Dalkeith Investments Pty Ltd (1984) 9 ACLR 658 - Re Hollen Australia Pty Ltd; Holt v Burnside [2009] VSC 95 - Re HW Thomas Ltd (1983) 1 ACLC 1256 - Re G Jeffrey (Mens Store) Pty Ltd (1984) 9 ACLR 195 - Re Lowes Park Pty Ltd; Headlam v Lowes Park Pty Ltd (1994) 62 FCR 535 - Ruut v Head (1996) 20 ACSR 160 - Sanford v Sanford Courier Service Pty Ltd (1986) 10 ACLR 549 - Short v Crawley (No 30) [2007] NSWSC 1322 - Tainsh v Barber (1997) 23 ACSR 158 - Thomas v HW Thomas Ltd [1984] 1 NZLR 686; (1984) 2 ACLC 610 - Tomanovic v Argyle HQ Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 152 - Tomanovic v Global Mortgage Equity Corporation Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 104, (2011) 84 ACSR 121 - United Rural Enterprises Pty Ltd v Lopmand Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 910; (2003) 47 ACSR 514 - Wayde v New South Wales Rugby League Ltd [1985] HCA 68; (1985) 180 CLR 459 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ian Allan Byrne (Plaintiff) A.J. Byrne Pty Ltd (1st Defendant) Loka Pastoral Co Pty Ltd (2nd Defendant) Mirridong Pastoral Co Pty Ltd (3rd Defendant) Allan Austin Byrne (4th Defendant) Frances Laura Byrne (5th Defendant) Stuart Austin Byrne (6th Defendant) Representation: Counsel: D.P. Robinson SC/S.B. Loughnan (Plaintiff) J. Stoljar SC/T.W. Marskell (Defendants) Solicitors: Commins Hendricks Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Skinner & Associates (Defendants) File Number(s): 11/204675