Chamberlain Group Pty Ltd v Kids for Life Academy Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 241

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Chamberlain Group Pty Ltd v Kids for Life Academy Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 241 Hearing dates: 21 July 2015 Decision date: 20 August 2015 Before: Emmett JA; Leeming JA; Sackville AJA Decision: Appeal dismissed, with costs. Catchwords: LANDLORD and TENANT - assignment of lease - whether landlord consented to assignment by tenant - assignee in actual possession of premises to knowledge of landlord - letter signed on behalf of landlord undertaking to register transfer "ASAP" - finding by primary judge that landlord had consented - landlord's challenge to findings rejected

PRACTICE - expedited final hearing of separate question - where parties chose not to litigate further issue whether assignee's purported exercise of option valid - parties bound by the way the case was run at first instance - no error in primary judge declining to determine further issue Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 56 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s 601AH Real Property Act 1900 (NSW), ss 41, 53 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 101 Cases Cited: Chan v Cresdon (1989) 168 CLR 242 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; 214 CLR 118 Kids for Life v Chamberlain Group [2014] NSWSC 1561 Mackay v Dick (1881) 6 App Cas 251 Masters v Cameron (1954) 91 CLR 353 Stokes (by a tutor) v McCourt [2013] NSWSC 1014 Young v Jackman (1986) 7 NSWLR 97 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Chamberlain Group Pty Limited (1st Appellant) 4 Chamberlain Pty Limited (2nd Appellant) Kids for Life Academy Pty Limited (1st Respondent) Chamberlain Early Learning Centre Pty Limited (2nd Respondent) Representation: Counsel: GA Sirtes SC, DP O'Connor (Appellants) JE Sexton SC, D Wilson (Respondents)