John Steiner v Kenneth Ross Strang and Jason Tang [2014] NSWSC 1250

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: John Steiner v Kenneth Ross Strang and Jason Tang [2014] NSWSC 1250 Hearing dates: 5 September 2014 Decision date: 12 September 2014 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Expedition List Before: Sackar J Decision: See paragraph [59] Catchwords: EQUITY - whether money owed to estate was provided as a loan or gift - where written document entitled acknowledgment of loan signed by party and testator - whether document contractual in nature or an admission - whether issue of past consideration arises - where provision in acknowledgment of loan for loan to be offset against entitlement of party as residuary beneficiary - application of rule in Cherry v Boultbee - whether that rule inconsistent with provision in acknowledgment of loan - basis upon which interest should be calculated Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 Cases Cited: Agricultural and Rural Finance Pty Limited v Gardiner (2008) 238 CLR 570 Cherry v Boultbee (1839) 41 ER 171 Gray v Gray [2004] NSWCA 408 James Miller & Partners v Whitworth Street Estates Ltd [1970] AC 583 Jeffs v Wood (1723) 24 ER 668 Johnston v Brightstars Holding Company Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 150 Lym International Pty Ltd v Marcolongo [2011] NSWCA 303 Otis Elevator Co Pty Ltd v Guide Rails Pty Ltd (In liq) (2004) 49 ACSR 531 at [33]; [2004] NSWSC 383 Parkes Property and Stock Co Ltd v Perpetual Trustee Co Ltd (1936) 36 SR (NSW) 457 Re Akerman [1891] 3 Ch 212 Re Peruvian Railway Construction Co Ltd [1915] 2 Ch 144 Re Taylor [1894] 1 Ch 671 Texts Cited: J D Heydon, Cross on Evidence (9th edition) Meagher Gummow and Lehane's Equity: Doctrines and Remedies (4th edition) Category: Principal judgment Parties: John Steiner - plaintiff/cross-defendant Kenneth Ross Strang - first defendant/first cross-claimant Jason Tang - second defendant/second cross-claimant Representation: Counsel: P Blackburn-Hart SC and R Jefferis - plaintiff/cross-defendant L Ellison SC - defendants/cross-claimants Solicitors: Gells Lawyers - plaintiff Glass Goodwin - defendants File Number(s): 2012/185566