JM & PM Holdings Pty Ltd v Snap-on Tools (Australia) Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 347

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: JM & PM Holdings Pty Ltd v Snap-on Tools (Australia) Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 347 Hearing dates: 3, 4 November 2015 Decision date: 11 November 2015 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1]; Leeming JA at [14]; Emmett AJA at [72] Decision: Appeal dismissed, with costs. Catchwords: TRADE PRACTICES – misleading and deceptive conduct – Franchising Code of Conduct – franchise agreement – whether cash flow projection provided prior to entry into the franchise agreement contravened Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), s 51AD or s 52 – whether any loss or damage suffered by reason of contraventions – no error shown in conclusion of primary judge that no loss or damage suffered by reason of conduct alleged to have been in contravention – appeal dismissed Legislation Cited: Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes – Franchising) Repeal Regulation 2014 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), Pts IVB, V; ss 51AD, 51AE, 52, 82, 87 Trade Practices (Industry Codes – Franchising) Regulations 1998 (Cth), cll 3, 6, 6B; Schedule Cases Cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v South East Melbourne Cleaning Pty Ltd (in liq) [2015] FCA 25 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd [2013] HCA 54; 250 CLR 640 Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 60; 218 CLR 592 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd [2009] HCA 25; 238 CLR 304 Forrest v Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2012] HCA 39; 247 CLR 486 Gould v Vaggelas (1985) 157 CLR 215 Netaf Pty Ltd v Bikane Pty Ltd (1990) 92 ALR 490 Manhattan (Asia) Ltd v Dymocks Franchise Systems (China) Ltd [2014] FCA 1143; 225 FCR 508 Residual Assco Group Ltd v Spalvins [2000] HCA 33; 202 CLR 629 Wardley Australia Ltd v Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 Yorke v Lucas (1985) 158 CLR 661 Category: Principal judgment Parties: JM & PM Holdings Pty Ltd (First Appellant) Paul Morgan (Second Appellant) Snap-on Tools (Australia) Pty Ltd (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: DAC Robertson, P Horobin (Appellants) SM Nixon, A Jordan (Respondent)