Pittwater Council v Keystone Projects Group Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1791

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Pittwater Council v Keystone Projects Group Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1791 Hearing dates: 11 November 2014 Decision date: 17 December 2014 Jurisdiction: Equity Division Before: Hallen J Decision: (i)Orders that the Summons be dismissed; (ii)Orders that the Plaintiff pay the costs of the first Defendant; otherwise, makes no order as to costs; (iii)Orders that the Court Books be returned. Catchwords: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION - Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) - Whether adjudicator failed to exercise powers in good faith - Whether adjudicator erred in his approach to the application of s 20(2B) and 22(2)(c) of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) Legislation Cited: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Practice Note SC Eq 3 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Birdon Pty Ltd v Houben Marine Pty Ltd [2011] FCAFC 126 Brookhollow Pty Ltd v R & R Consultants Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 1 Brodyn Pty Ltd t/as Time Cost and Quality v Davenport & Anor [2004] NSWCA 394 Chase Oyster Bar Pty Ltd v Hamo Industries Pty Ltd [2010] NSWCA 190; (2010) 78 NSWLR 393 Clarence Street Pty Ltd v Isis Projects Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 391; (2005) 64 NSWLR 448 Clyde Bergemann v Varley Power [2011] NSWSC 1039 Coordinated Construction Co Pty Ltd v Climatech (Canberra) Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 229 Coordinated Construction Co Pty Ltd v J M Hargreaves (NSW) Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 228 Cornerstone Danks Street v Parkview Constructions [2014] NSWSC 866 Downer Construction (Australia) Pty Ltd v Energy Australia [2007] NSWCA 49; (2007) 69 NSWLR 72 Eastland Truss & Timber Pty Limited v Matthew John Byrnes t/as Qualibuilt Constructions [2014] NSWSC 1461 Falgat Constructions Pty Ltd v Equity Australia Corporation Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 49 Holmwood Holdings Pty Ltd v Halkat Electrical Contractors Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 1129 John Holland Pty Ltd v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales [2007] NSWCA 19 Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd v H&M Engineering & Construction Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 818 Minister for Commerce (formerly Public Works & Services) v Contrax Plumbing (NSW) Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 142 Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd v Luikens [2003] NSWSC 1140 Northbuild Construction P/L v Central Interior Linings P/L [2011] QCA 22; [2012] 1 Qd R 525 Owners Strata Plan 61172 v Stratabuild Ltd [2011] NSWSC 1000 Pacific General Securities Ltd v Soliman and Sons Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 13; (2006) 196 FLR 388 Patrick Stevedores Operations No. 2 Pty Ltd v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1413 Perform (NSW) Pty Ltd v MEV-AUS Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 157 Protectavale Pty Ltd v K2K Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 1248 State Water Corporation v Civil Team Engineering Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 1879 Taylor Projects Group Pty Ltd v Brick Dept Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 439 Timwin Construction Pty Ltd v Façade Innovations Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 548 Walter Construction Group Ltd v CPL (Surry Hills) Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 266 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Pittwater Council (ABN 61 340 837 871) (Plaintiff) Keystone Projects Group Pty Ltd (ABN 87 132 932 917) (first Defendant) Adjudicate Today Pty Ltd (ABN 39 109 605 021) (second Defendant) Robert Sundercombe (third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Ms J Wright (Plaintiff) Mr B DeBuse; Mr M Fantin (Defendants) Solicitors: King & Wood Mallesons (Plaintiff) HWL Ebsworth Lawyers (Defendants) File Number(s): 2014/282134