TMA Australia Pty Ltd v Indect Electronics & Distribution GmbH; TMA Tech Pty Limited v Indect Pty Ltd & Ors [2014] NSWSC 409

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: TMA Australia Pty Ltd v Indect Electronics & Distribution GmbH; TMA Tech Pty Limited v Indect Pty Ltd & Ors [2014] NSWSC 409 Hearing dates: 24 to 28 February 2014, 3, 4 and 14 March 2014 Decision date: 11 April 2014 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Ball J Decision: 1. Proceedings 2013/255364 and 2012/262302 be dismissed. 2. The interlocutory orders made by Robb J on 20 September 2013 in proceedings 2013/255364 be dissolved. 3. The defendant in proceedings 2012/262302 be released from the undertaking it gave to the court in those proceedings on 15 October 2012. 4. The plaintiffs in proceedings 2013/255364 pay the defendants' costs of those proceedings; 5. The plaintiffs in proceedings 2012/262302 pay the defendants' costs of those proceedings. Catchwords: CONTRACT - implied terms - terms implied in fact - whether term is necessary for reasonable or effective operation of the contract ESTOPPEL - Equitable estoppel - whether representations relied upon were made and contained implied term - whether relying party suffered detriment - Conventional estoppel - whether parties adopted a mutual assumption as basis of their conduct UNCONSCIONABLE CONDUCT - Australian Consumer Law - requirements for conduct to be unconscionable Legislation Cited: Australian Consumer Law Sales of Goods Act 1923 (NSW) Cases Cited: Attorney-General (NSW) v World Best Holdings Ltd [2005] NSWCA 261; (2005) 63 NSWLR 557 Austotel Pty Ltd v Franklins Self-Serve Pty Ltd (1989) 16 NSWLR 582 BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1977) 180 CLR 266 Byrne v Australian Airlines Ltd (1995) 185 CLR 410 Byron Shire Council v Vaughan [2002] NSWCA 158 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW [1982] HCA 24; (1982) 149 CLR 337 Con-Stan Industries of Australia Pty Ltd v Norwich Winterthur Insurance (Australia) Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 226 Franklins Pty Ltd v Metcash Trading Ltd [2009] NSWCA 407; (2009) 76 NSWLR 603 Hawkins v Clayton (1988) 164 CLR 539 Kakavas v Crown Melbourne Ltd [2013] HCA 25; (2013) 87 ALJR 708 Mobil Oil Australia Ltd v Lyndel Nominees Pty Ltd [1998] FCA 205; (1998) 153 ALR 198 Moratic Pty Ltd v Gordon [2007] NSWSC 5 Nathan Elali v Carl Frederik Reinhold Mahrs & Anor (No. 2) [2013] NSWSC 1976 Noon v Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village Pty Ltd [2010] NSWCA 202 Pazta Company Pty Ltd v Idelake Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 941 Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd v Buttigieg [2001] VSC 475 Ryledar Pty Ltd v Euphoric Pty Ltd [2007] NSWCA 65; (2007) 69 NSWLR 603 Settlement Group Pty Ltd v Purcell Partners (a firm) [2013] VSCA 370 The Bell Group Ltd (in liq) v Westpac Banking Corporation (No 9) [2008] WASC 239; (2008) 39 WAR 1; (2008) 225 FLR 1 Tonto Home Loans Australia Pty Ltd v Tavares; FirstMac Ltd v Di Benedetto; FirstMac Ltd v O'Donnell [2011] NSWCA 389 Waddell v Waddell [2012] NSWCA 214; (2012) 292 ALR 788 Waltons Stores v Maher [1988] HCA 7; (1988) 164 CLR 387 Category: Principal judgment Parties: TMA Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 114 874 680) (Plaintiff 2013/255364) TMA Tech Pty Limited (Plaintiff 2012/262302) Indect Electronics & Distribution GmbH (Defendant 2013/255364) Indect Pty Ltd (ACN 140 157 357) (Defendant 2012/262302) Representation: Counsel: M Einfeld QC with N Newton (Plaintiffs) M Dicker SC with J O'Connor (Defendants) Solicitors: JDK Legal (Plaintiffs) Mason Black Solicitors (Defendants) File Number(s): 2013/255364 and 2012/262302 Publication restriction: Nil