John Holland Pty Limited v Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd [No 2] [2015] NSWSC 564

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: John Holland Pty Limited v Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd [No 2] [2015] NSWSC 564 Hearing dates: 24 April 2015, 8 May 2015 and written submissions Decision date: 15 May 2015 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Technology and Construction List Before: Hammerschlag J Decision: The plaintiff's action against the first defendant is stayed. The plaintiff is to pay the costs of the defendants on the ordinary basis. Catchwords: COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION – Commercial Arbitration Act 2010 (NSW), s 8(1) – whether, on referral by the Court of the parties to arbitration, the action should be stayed or dismissed – HELD: proceedings should be stayed. COSTS – whether there is a presumption that a party who unsuccessfully challenges an order for referral or stay where there is an arbitration or other dispute resolution agreement should pay costs on the indemnity basis – HELD: there is no such presumption – in the present case the appropriate costs order is on the ordinary basis. Legislation Cited: Commercial Arbitration Act 2010 (NSW) Commercial Arbitration Act 1984 (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW) Cases Cited: John Holland Pty Limited v Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd [2015] NSWSC 451 A v B [2007] EWHC 54 (Comm) Pipeline Services WA Pty Ltd v Atco Gas Australia Pty Ltd [2014] WASC 10 Tjong Very Sumito and Others v Antig Investments Pte Ltd [2009] SGCA 41 Ansett v Malaysian Airline System (No 2) [2008] VSC 156 A v R [2009] 3 HKLRD 389 Wing Hong Construction Ltd v Tin Wo Engineering Co Ltd [2010] HKEC 918 Taigo Ltd v China Master Shipping Ltd [2010] HKCFI 530 IMC Aviation Solutions Pty Ltd v Altain Khuder LLC (2011) 38 VR 303 Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72 Mio Art Pty Ltd v Mango Boulevard Pty Ltd and Ors (No 3) [2013] QSC 95 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: John Holland Pty Limited - Plaintiff Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd - First Defendant Atlantis Corporation Pty Ltd - Second Defendant Representation: Counsel: P.S. Braham SC and B.C.A. Bradley - Plaintiff T.J. Breakspear - First Defendant F.G. Kalyk - Second Defendant