Tresedar Pty Ltd v Property Builders (Constructions) Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) [2014] NSWSC 382

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Tresedar Pty Ltd v Property Builders (Constructions) Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) [2014] NSWSC 382 Hearing dates: 4-7, 10, 11, 13 and 21 March 2014 Decision date: 04 April 2014 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Technology and Construction List Before: Ball J Decision: 1. The plaintiffs' summons be dismissed. 2. Judgment for the cross-claimant on its cross claim against: (a) The cross defendants in the sum of $688,220.66; (b) The first and second cross defendants in the sum of $40,839.19. Catchwords: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION - Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) - whether settlement deed a "construction contract" - whether payment under that deed a "progress payment" - CONTRACT - implied terms - whether an implied term that parties deal with each other in good faith and cooperate - UNCONSCIONABLE CONDUCT - requirements for conduct to be unconscionable PROCEDURE - civil - whether the court should permit party to amend its claim - effect of delay - requirement that responding party have sufficient time to respond Legislation Cited: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Court Procedure Rules 2006 (ACT) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Cases Cited: Androvitsaneas v Members First Broker Network Pty Ltd [2013] VSCA 212 Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27; (2009) 239 CLR 175 Attorney-General (NSW) v World Best Holdings Ltd [2005] NSWCA 261; (2005) 63 NSWLR 557 Australian Hotels Association (NSW) v TAB Limited [2006] NSWSC 293 Baltic Shipping Company v Dillon (1993) 176 CLR 344 BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1977) 180 CLR 266 Burns v MAN Automotive (Aust) Pty Ltd [1986] HCA 81; (1986) 161 CLR 653 Clark v Macourt [2013] HCA 56; (2013) 304 ALR 220 Commonwealth of Australia v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 64 Cordon Investments Pty Ltd v Lesdor Properties Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 184 Electricity Generation Corporation t/a Verve Energy v Woodside Energy Ltd [2014] HCA 7 Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd v Southern Pacific Petroleum NL [2005] VSCA 228 Hadley v Baxendale (1854) 9 Exch 341; 156 ER 145 Hungerfords v Walker (1989) 171 CLR 125 Kakavas v Crown Melbourne Ltd [2013] HCA 25; (2013) 87 ALJR 708 Kenny & Good Pty Ltd v MGICA (1992) Ltd (1999) 199 CLR 413 R & J Lyons Family Settlement Pty Ltd v 155 Macquarie Street Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 310; (2008) 13 BPR 25,161 Renard Constructions (ME) Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (1992) 26 NSWLR 234 Tote Tasmania Pty Ltd v Garrott [2008] TASSC 86; (2008) 17 Tas R 320 Wenham v Ella [1972] HCA 43; (1972) 127 CLR 454 Texts Cited: K Lewison & D Hughes, The Interpretation of Contracts in Australia, (2012, Law Book Company) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Tresedar Pty Ltd ACN 003 377 642 (First Plaintiff/First Cross Defendant) Tetbury Pty Ltd (Second Plaintiff/Second Cross Defendant) Aris Michael Evanian (Third Plaintiff/Third Cross Defendant) Property Builders (Constructions) Pty Ltd (Defendant/Cross Claimant) Representation: Counsel: I Faulkner SC with B Phillips (Plaintiffs/Cross Defendants) R P Freeman (Defendant/Cross Claimant) Solicitors: Mahony Law (Plaintiffs/Cross Defendants) Hugh Ford (Defendant/Cross Claimant) File Number(s): 2009/298902 Publication restriction: Nil