M J Leonard Pty Ltd v Bristrol Custodians Limited (in liquidation) & Anor [2013] NSWSC 1734

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: M J Leonard Pty Ltd v Bristrol Custodians Limited (in liquidation) & Anor [2013] NSWSC 1734 Hearing dates: 7 - 8 November 2013 Decision date: 25 November 2013 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Windeyer AJ Decision: Caveats extended. Catchwords: Real Property - Torrens system - Caveat - Interest claimed therein - Equitable charge - Pursuant to solicitor's costs agreement - Whether sufficient description of interest in caveat - Real Property Regulation 2008, sch 3.

Real Property - Contracts in relation to land - Equitable charge - Part performance - Lack of writing - Whether provision of legal services referrable to granting of a charge to secure fees - Whether composite or severable agreement - Conveyancing Act 1919, ss 23C and 54A.

Equity - Fiduciary duties - Conflict - Solicitors - Where client granted charge over all property to solicitor without explanation thereof by solicitor - Whether charge enforceable - Whether conflict of interest - Desirability of explaining charging clause to client - Legal Profession Act 2004, s 320. Legislation Cited: Companies Act 1993 (NZ) Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Contracts Review Act 1980 Conveyancing Act 1919 Duties Act 1997 Legal Profession Act 2004 Real Property Act 1900 Real Property Regulation 2008 Statute of Frauds 1677 (29 Car II, c 3) Trustee Act 1925 Cases Cited: Boardman v Phipps [1967] 2 AC 46 Country Law Services Pty Ltd v Duff (2007) 13 BPR 24,953 Fleming v Beevers [1994] 1 NZLR 385 Khoury v Khouri (2006) 66 NSWLR 241 Maddison v Alderson (1883) 8 App Cas 467 McBride v Sandland (1918) 25 CLR 69 Midland Brick Co Pty Ltd v Welsh (2006) 32 WAR 287 Moloney v Coppola [2012] NSWSC 728 Multi-Span Constructions No 1 Pty Ltd v 14 Portland Street Pty Ltd (2001) 10 BPR 19,253 Regent v Millett (1976) 133 CLR 679 Re Spencer (1904) 4 SR (NSW) 471 Steadman v Steadman [1976] AC 536 Texts Cited: Sir Edward Fry, A Treatise on the Specific Performance of Contracts (1921, 6th edn, Stevens and Sons)