Sharp v Maritime Super Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 1350

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Sharp v Maritime Super Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 1350 Hearing dates: 17 October 2012 Decision date: 07 November 2012 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Ward J Decision: Order that matter be remitted to trustee for determination (and report back to Court thereon) as to total and disablement benefit having regard to proper construction of relevant rule in Trust Deed Catchwords: DEEDS - question of construction of superannuation trust deed - consideration of principles applicable to contractual construction

TRUSTS - duty of trustee to determine application by plaintiff - where trustee proceeded on basis of what has now been found to be an incorrect construction of the relevant Rule - whether matter should be remitted to trustee to make determination having regard to proper construction or whether Court should make a determination as to the entitlement claimed - where no evidence that trustee previously acted in bad faith - HELD - matter remitted to trustee for determination Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Superannuation (Resolution of Complaints) Act 1993 (Cth) Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) Trustee Act 1925 (NSW) Cases Cited: AFC Holdings Pty Ltd v Shiprock Holdings Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 985 Alcoa of Australia Retirement Plan Pty Ltd v Frost [2012] VSCA 238 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (1973) 129 CLR 99 Bank of New Zealand v Simpson [1900] 1 AC 182 Byrnes v Kendle (2011) 243 CLR 253 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority (NSW) (1982) 149 CLR 337 Finch v Telstra Super Pty Ltd [2010] HCA 36 Franklins Pty Ltd v Metcash Trading Ltd (2009) 76 NSWLR 603 Gilberg v Maritime Super Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 325 Gilberg v Stevedoring Employees Retirement Fund Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 1318 Investors Compensation Scheme Ltd v West Bromwich Building Society [1997] UKHL 28 Karger v Paul [1984] VR 161 Maciejewski v Telstra Super Pty Ltd (1998) 44 NSWLR 601 Masterton Homes Pty Ltd v Palm Assets Pty Ltd (2009) 261 ALR 283 Metropolitan Gas Co v Federated Gas Employees' Industrial Union (1925) 35 CLR 449 Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas (2004) 218 CLR 451 Re Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance; Ex Parte Hoyts Corp Pty Ltd (No 1) (1993) 178 CLR 379 Scott v National Trust [1998] 2 All ER 705 Shore v Wilson (1839) 8 ER 450 Southern Cross Assurance Co Ltd v Australian Provincial Assurance Association Ltd (1935) 52 CLR 618 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165 Vidovic v Email Superannuation Pty Ltd (unreported, NSWSC, Bryson J, 3 March 1995) Western Export Services Inc v Jireh International Pty Ltd [2011] HCA 45 Wilkie v Gordian Runoff Ltd (2005) 221 CLR 522 Texts Cited: K Mason AC QC, "The Distinctiveness and Independence of Intermediate Courts of Appeal" (2012) 86 ALJ 308 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ben Sharp (Plaintiff) Maritime Super Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: B W Rayment QC with M J Gollan (Plaintiff) R A Cavanagh SC (Defendant) Solicitors: Firths - The Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) King & Wood Mallesons (Defendant) File Number(s): 11/147892