Adicho v Dankeith Homes Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 316

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Adicho v Dankeith Homes Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 316 Hearing dates: 21 September 2012 Decision date: 28 September 2012 Before: Meagher JA at [1]; Sackville AJA at [31]; Tobias AJA at [32]. Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed. (2) The appellant to pay the respondent's (Dankeith's) costs of the appeal. [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: CONTRACT - formation - sale of land - whether intention to create legal relations - exchange of written contracts - agreement as to payment of deposit not reflected in written contracts - whether evidence established exchange not intended to have ordinary legal consequences

CONTRACT - collateral agreement as to deposit - unenforceable because inconsistent with contract for sale - ineffective as parol variation of contract required to be in writing Legislation Cited: Conveyancing Act 1919 Fair Trading Act 1987 Trade Practices Act 1974 Cases Cited: Agricultural and Rural Finance Pty Ltd v Gardiner [2008] HCA 57; 238 CLR 570 Allen v Carbone [1975] HCA 14; 132 CLR 528 Brien v Dwyer [1978] HCA 50; 141 CLR 378 Damon Compania Naviera S.A. v Hapag-Lloyd International S.A. [1985] 1 WLR 435 Dowling v Rae [1927] HCA 5; 39 CLR 363 at 371-379 Equuscorp Pty Ltd v Glengallan Investments Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 55; 218 CLR 471 Ermogenous v Greek Orthodox Community of SA Inc [2002] HCA 8; 209 CLR 95 Esanda Ltd v Burgess [1984] 2 NSWLR 139 Fitzgerald v Masters [1956] HCA 53; 95 CLR 420 at 426-427 Hoyt's Pty Ltd v Spencer [1919] HCA 64; 27 CLR 133 Maybury v Atlantic Union Oil Co Ltd [1953] HCA 89; 89 CLR 507 Neeta (Epping) Pty Ltd v Phillips [1974] HCA 18; 131 CLR 286 Phillips v Ellinson Brothers Pty Ltd [1941] HCA 35; 65 CLR 221 Sharrment Pty Ltd v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (1988) 18 FCR 449 Sindel v Georgiou [1984] HCA 58; 154 CLR 661 Suttor v Gundowda Pty Ltd [1950] HCA 35; 81 CLR 418 Tallerman & Co Pty Ltd v Nathan's Merchandise (Victoria) Pty Ltd [1957] HCA 10; 98 CLR 93 Water Board v Moustakas [1988] HCA 12; 180 CLR 491 Category: Principal judgment Parties: John Adicho (Appellant) Dankeith Homes Pty Ltd (First Respondent) Graeme Bruce Dougherty t/as Dougherty & Smith (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R K Newton (Appellant) D H Murr SC, Ms M M Fraser (First Respondent) No appearance (Second Respondent) Solicitors: Edmond Khoury Solicitors (Appellant) Noel F Bracks & Company (First Respondent) No appearance (Second Respondent) File Number(s): 2008/320073 Decision under appeal Date of Decision: 2011-05-04 00:00:00 Before: Rolfe DCJ File Number(s): 2008/5319