Simonson Properties Pty Limited v Bruce Lachlan Hardy and Anor [2014] NSWSC 229

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Simonson Properties Pty Limited v Bruce Lachlan Hardy and Anor [2014] NSWSC 229 Hearing dates: 24, 25, 26 February 2014 Decision date: 14 March 2014 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Sackar J Decision: See paragraphs 152 and 153 Catchwords: EQUITY - trusts and trustees - express trust - resulting trust - whether trust arises on basis of custom and practice within family business - whether clear expression of intention

EQUITY - assignment - where insufficient evidence relating to purported assignment - whether statutory provision prevents assignment of equitable interest - whether writing requirements satisfied - whether clear intention to make an immediate disposition

PERSONAL PROPERTY - ownership and possession - nature and meaning of ownership of and property in personalty - acquisition of ownership of chose in action - evidence of ownership - where lack of records - where physical property remains property of the State Legislation Cited: Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act 1997 (NSW) Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 1998 (NSW) Cases Cited: Adamson v Hayes (1973) 130 CLR 276 Alexander v Webber [1922] 1 KB 642 Ali v Nationwide News Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 183 Bahr v Nicolay (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 604 Barnes v Addy (1874) LR 9 Ch App 244 Byrnes v Kendle (2011) 243 CLR 253 Camellia Properties Pty Ltd v Wesfarmers General Insurance Ltd [2013] NSWSC 1975 Commercial Union Assurance Company of Australia Ltd v Ferrcom Pty Ltd (1991) 22 NSWLR 389 Commissioner of Taxation v Linter Textiles Australia (in liquidation) (2005) 220 CLR 592 Con-Stan Industries of Australia Pty Ltd v Norwich Winterthur Insurance (Australia) Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 226 Cubillo v Commonwealth of Australia [2000] FCA 1084; (2000) 174 ALR 97 Devefi Pty Ltd v Mateffy Pearl Nagy Pty Ltd (1993) 113 ALR 225 DKLR Holding Co (No 2) Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Stamp Duties (NSW) [1980] 1 NSWLR 510 Dobbs v National Bank of Australasia Ltd (1935) 53 CLR 643 Dyer v Dyer (1788) 30 ER 42 FAI Traders Insurance Co Ltd v ANZ McCaughan Securities Ltd (1990) 3 ACSR 279 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Everett (1980) 143 CLR 440 Flack ν Chairperson, National Crime Authority (1997) 150 ALR 153 Fowkes v Pascoe (1875) 10 Ch App 343 Gatward v Alley (1940) 40 SR (NSW) 174 Hung v Warner, in the matter of Bellpac Pty Ltd (receivers and managers appointed) (in liquidation) [2013] FCAFC 48 Jones v Canavan (1972) 2 NSWLR 236 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kauter v Hilton (1953) 90 CLR 86 Kent v The Vessel 'Maria Luisa' (No 2) (2003) 130 FCR 12 King v Victoria Insurance Co Ltd [1896] AC 250 Linden Gardens Trust Ltd v Lenesta Sludge Disposals Ltd [1994] 1 AC 85; [1993] 3 All ER 417 Napier v Public Trustee (1980) 32 ALR 153 Neilson v Letch (No 2) [2006] NSWCA 254 Norman v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1963) 109 CLR 9 PT Ltd v Maradona Pty Ltd (1992) 27 NSWLR 241 Re Transphere Pty Ltd (1986) 5 NSWLR 309 Russell v Wilson (1923) 33 CLR 538 Torkington v Magee [1902] 2 KB 427 Turner v Noyes (1903) 20 WN (NSW) 266 Vandervell v Inland Revenue Commissioners [1967] 2 AC 291 Warner v Hung, in the matter of Bellpac Pty Limited (receivers and managers appointed) (in liquidation) (No 2) (2011) 297 ALR 56 Xu v Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (2009) 236 FLR 480; [2009] NSWCA 430 Texts Cited: Cross on Evidence, JD Heydon, 9th edition Category: Principal judgment Parties: Simonson Properties Pty Limited - plaintiff Bruce Lachlan Hardy - first defendant Patricia Zoe Hardy - second defendant Representation: Counsel: G Drew - plaintiff M Condon SC - defendants Solicitors: Meridian Lawyers - plaintiff Vaughan Zarb & Co - defendants File Number(s): 2013/30209