Stramit Corporation Pty Ltd v Stone Homes Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 370

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Stramit Corporation Pty Ltd v Stone Homes Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 370 Hearing dates: 17 - 21 February, 19 and 20 March 2014 Decision date: 01 April 2014 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Expedition List Before: Stevenson J Decision: Amended Statement of Claim and Cross-Claims dismissed Catchwords: RESTRAINT OF TRADE - restraint in distributor agreement - proper construction of restraint - whether restraint contravened - whether business of fourth defendant is "similar" to that of second plaintiff - validity and reasonableness of restraint; CONTRACTS - whether oral collateral contract established; TRADE PRACTICES - misleading or deceptive conduct - whether oral representation established - 52 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth); PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - amendment to pleadings - application made late in proceedings - would necessitate further adjournment - leave to amend refused Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Cases Cited: Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australian Performing Rights Association (1973) 129 CLR 99 BB Australia Pty Limited v Karioi Pty Limited [2010] NSWCA 347 Camden v McKenzie [2007] QCA 136 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW (1982) 149 CLR 337 Cordon Investments Pty Ltd v Lesdor Properties Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 184 Dennis v Australia Broadcasting Corporation [2008] NSWCA 37 Electricity Generation Corporation v Woodside Energy Ltd [2014] HCA 7 Galcif Pty Limited v Dudley's Corner Pty Limited (1995) 6 BPR 14,134: Herbert Morris Limited v Saxelby [1916] 1 AC 688 McHugh Holdings Pty Ltd v Newtown Colonial Hotel Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 542; 73 NSWLR 53 Reardon Smith Line Ltd v Yngvar Hansen -Tangen [1976] 1 WLR 989; [1976] 3 All ER 570 Seven Network (Operations) Ltd v Warburton (No 2) [2011] NSWSC 386 State of Queensland v JL Holdings Pty Ltd (1997) 189 CLR 146 Sidameneo (No 456) Pty Ltd v Alexander [2011] NSWCA 418 Synavant Australia Pty Ltd v Harris [2001] FCA 1517 Texts Cited: Concise Oxford English Dictionary (11th ed) Macquarie Dictionary (5th ed) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Stramit Corporation Pty Limited (First Plaintiff/First Cross Defendant) FBHS (AUST) Pty Ltd (Second Plaintiff/Second Cross Defendant) Stone Homes Pty Ltd (First Defendant/First Cross-Claimant) Dennis Malcolm McFadden (Second Defendant/Second Cross-Claimant) Gai Ann McFadden (Third Defendant/Third Cross-Claimant) Best Sheds Pty Ltd (Fourth Defendant) Representation: Counsel: A R Moses SC with J S McLeod (Plaintiffs/Cross Defendants) G A Sirtes SC with S E Gray (Defendants/Cross-Claimants) Solicitors: HWL Ebsworth Lawyers (Plaintiffs/Cross Defendants) GHS Legal Lawyers (Defendants/Cross-Claimants) File Number(s): SC 2012/365061 Publication restriction: Nil