Mainteck Services Pty Limited v Stein Heurtey SA and Stein Heurtey Australia Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 266

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Mainteck Services Pty Limited v Stein Heurtey SA and Stein Heurtey Australia Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 266 Hearing dates: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 July 2012, further oral submissions on 29 October 2012, further written submissions 31 October 2012 Decision date: 28 March 2013 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Sackar J Decision: See paragraphs [307] - [308] Catchwords: PROCEDURE - principles regarding the adoption of a referee's report - whether referee's report should be adopted or rejected in part - whether the plaintiff should be permitted to withdraw an admission in relation to the referee's report.

CONTRACTS - construction and interpretation of contracts - whether contract void for uncertainty - courts should be astute to adopt a construction which will preserve the validity of a contract.

EVIDENCE - findings of fact - whether findings in referee's report are unreasonable or perverse. Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Cases Cited: Bellevarde Constructions Pty Ltd v Cpc Energy Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 228 BestCare Foods v Origin Energy [2012] NSWSC 574 Bitannia Pty Ltd v Parkline Constructions Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 1302 Calin v Greater Union Organisation Pty Ltd (1991) 173 CLR 33 Chocolate Factory Apartments v Westpoint Finance and Ors [2005] NSWSC 784 Corbett Court Pty Ltd v Quasar Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 1163 Helmos Enterprises Pty Ltd v Jaylor Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 235 Hocking v Bell (1945) 71 CLR 430 Hospital Products Ltd v United States Surgical Corporation (1984) 156 CLR 41 Mamidoil-Jetoil Greek Petroleum Co SA v Okta Crude Oil Refinery AD [2001] 2 Lloyd's Rep 76 Meehan v Jones (1982) 149 CLR 571 New South Wales v Bovis Lend Lease Pty Limited [2007] NSWSC 1045 Sangain Pty Ltd v Italform Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 74 Seven Sydney v Fuji Xerox [2004] NSWSC 902 Sudbrook Trading Estate Ltd v Eggleton [1983] 1 AC 444 Thorby v Goldberg (1964) 112 CLR 597 Upper Hunter County District Council v Australian Chilling & Freezing Co Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 429 Texts Cited: K Lewison and D Hughes, The Interpretation of Contracts in Australia, (2012) Lawbook Co Category: Principal judgment Parties: Mainteck Services Pty Limited - plaintiff Stein Heurtey SA and Ors - first defendant Stein Heutey Australia Pty Ltd - second defendant Representation: Counsel: F Corsaro SC, F G Kalyk - plaintiff P W Taylor SC, J T G Gibson - defendants Solicitors: Piper Alderman - plaintiff Jones Day - defendants File Number(s): 2007/266650