Hill v Newth [2014] NSWSC 298

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Hill v Newth [2014] NSWSC 298 Hearing dates: 17 March 2014 Decision date: 18 March 2014 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Stevenson J Decision: Proceedings dismissed with costs Catchwords: REAL PROPERTY - sale of land - contract - informal agreement - whether binding agreement formed by exchange of email and letters and without exchange of contracts COSTS - indemnity costs -Calderbank letter - reasonableness of non-acceptance - non-acceptance by plaintiffs not unreasonable Legislation Cited: Real Property Act 1900 Cases Cited: Australian Broadcasting Corporation v XIVth Commonwealth Games Ltd (1988) 18 NSWLR 540 Abigroup Contractors Pty Limited v ABB Service Pty Limited [2004] NSWCA 181; (2005) 21 BCL 12 Allen v Carbone (1975) 132 CLR 528 Dowdle v Inverell Shire Council (1999) ANZ Conv R 429 Elgas Ltd v A J Young Industries Pty Ltd (1987) NSW Conv R 55-329; (1986) 4 BPR 9329 GR Securities Pty Ltd v Baulkham Hills Private Hospital Pty Ltd (1986) 40 NSWLR 631; 4 BPR 9315 Leichhardt Municipal Council v Green [2004] NSWCA 341 Kirton v Nethery (1996) 7 BPR 14,954 Lezabar Pty Ltd v Hogan (1989) NSW Conv R 55-468 Masters v Cameron (1954) 91 CLR 353 McDonald v Commissioner of Taxation [2001] FCA 305; 109 FCR 207 Sindel v Georgiou [1984] HCA 58; 154 CLR 661 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Clive Ledger Harcombe Hill (First Plaintiff) Maji Mazuri Pty Ltd (Second Plaintiff) Mawingo Pty Ltd (Third Plaintiff) Robin Sally Hill (Fourth Plainitff) Julie Alyson Newth (also known as Julie Wythes) (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: N M H Kirby (Plaintiffs) A C Harding with A Cornish (Defendant) Solicitors: Longman Hill Solicitors (Plaintiffs) Boyd & Longhurst Solicitors (Defendant) File Number(s): SC 2014/15853 Publication restriction: Nil