Lindsay-Owen v Schofields Property Development Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1177

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Lindsay-Owen v Schofields Property Development Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1177 Hearing dates: 11 to 14 August 2014 Decision date: 28 August 2014 Before: Ball J Decision: 1. The plaintiffs' claim and the defendant's cross-claim be dismissed. 2. The plaintiffs pay the defendant's costs of the proceedings. Catchwords: CONTRACT - construction of joint venture agreement - whether pre-existing bank debt to be paid by plaintiffs with own funds or by joint venture with funds borrowed for proposed development - extrinsic materials - whether permissible to rely on pre-contractual negotiations in aid of construction or to establish intention of parties - whether permissible to rely on post-contractual conduct as admission to prove a fact relevant to parties' contractual obligations - where no admission identified - where post-contractual conduct relied on to establish intention of parties CONTRACT - relief - whether mutual mistake to support order for rectification - where no common intention of the parties PROCEDURE - civil - pleadings - application to amend case to include claim for rectification for unilateral mistake - where proposed amendment deficient - where amendment sought on final day of hearing - where witnesses would need to be recalled if amendment allowed Cases Cited: Agricultural & Rural Finance Pty Ltd v Gardiner [2008] HCA 57; (2008) 238 CLR 570 Arthur Yates & Company Pty Ltd v Vegetable Seeds Committee [1945] HCA 55; (1945) 72 CLR 37 Australian Gypsum Ltd v Hume Steel Ltd [1930] HCA 38; (1930) 45 CLR 54 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales [1982] HCA 24; (1982) 149 CLR 337 Electricity Generation Corporation v Woodside Energy Ltd [2014] HCA 7; (2014) 306 ALR 25 Franklins Pty Ltd v Metcash Trading Ltd [2009] NSWCA 407; (2009) 76 NSWLR 603 Igloo Homes Pty Ltd v Sammut Constructions Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 280 Johns v Australian Securities Commission (No 2) (1992) 35 FCR 146 Johnston v Brightstars Holding Company Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 150 Maralinga Pty Ltd v Major Enterprises Pty Ltd [1973] HCA 23; (1973) 128 CLR 336 NSW Medical Defence Union Ltd V Transport Industries Insurance Co Ltd (1986) 6 NSWLR 740 Ryledar Pty Ltd v Euphoric Pty Ltd [2007] NSWCA 65; (2007) 69 NSWLR 603 Texts Cited: RP Meagher, JD Heydon and MJ Leeming, Meagher Gummow & Lehane's Equity: Doctrines and Remedies, (4th ed, 2001, LexisNexis) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Gregory Hamilton Willoughby Lindsay-Owen (First Plaintiff) DairyCorp Pty Ltd (Second Plaintiff) Schofields Property Development Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: M Dicker SC with D Hand (Plaintiffs) L V Gyles SC with S Lawrance (Defendant) Solicitors: Mills Oakley Lawyers (Plaintiffs) Clayton Utz (Defendant) File Number(s): 2014/157612 Publication restriction: None