Alexander v Burne [2015] NSWCA 377

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Alexander v Burne [2015] NSWCA 377 Hearing dates: 4 November 2015 Decision date: 02 December 2015 Before: Ward JA at [1] Gleeson JA at [2] Tobias AJA at [3] Decision: 1 Appeal allowed. 2 Set aside the affirmative answer of Young AJA to the Separate Question. 3 Answer the Separate Question, "No". 4 Remit the proceedings to the Equity Division of the Supreme Court of New South Wales for directions consistent with these orders. 5 The respondents to pay the appellants' costs of the Separate Question hearing before Young AJA and of the appeal, but to have with respect to the latter, a certificate under the Suitor's Fund Act 1951 (NSW), if otherwise qualified. Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – meetings – resolution to approve merger – requirement that Unitholder Matters must be passed by a "Special Majority vote of the Unitholders" – Special Majority defined as a vote of two-thirds of "persons eligible to vote in respect of a resolution" – whether passing of the resolution required two-thirds of Unitholders present at meeting and entitled to vote or two-thirds of all Unitholders Legislation Cited: Suitor's Fund Act 1951 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 28.2 Cases Cited: Alexander v Burne [2015] NSWSC 345 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Limited [1973] HCA 36; (1973) 129 CLR 99 BB Retail Capital Pty Ltd v Alexandria Landfill Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 319 Cullen v Galloway Cattle Society of Australia Inc (1998) 27 ACSR 648 Electricity Generation Corporation v Woodside Energy Ltd [2014] HCA 7; (2014) 251 CLR 640 Inquiry Relating to Elections for Offices in the United Fire Fighters Union of Australia, Victorian Branch; Re Churchill [2001] FCA 469; (2001) 109 FCR 104 Jireh International Pty Limited t/as Gloria Jeans Coffee v Western Export Services Inc [2011] NSWCA 137 Knowles v Zoological Society of London [1959] 1 WLR 823 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Ltd v Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd [2015] HCA 37; (2015) 89 ALJR 990 Peters v Kerle [1997] QSC 68 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Melissa Alexander (First Appellant) MAA (ODB) Nominees Pty Ltd (Second Appellant) Nicholas Burne (First Respondent) Eric Passaris (Second Respondent) Phillip Rundell (Third Respondent) Rana Pala (Fourth Respondent) Robert Peck (Fifth Respondent) Pat Donato (Sixth Respondent) John O'Donnell (Seventh Respondent) Paul Motta (Eight Respondent) John Blight (Ninth Respondent) Grant Thornton Australia Limited (Tenth Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Condon SC / Mr M Cosgrove (Appellants) Mr DFC Thomas / Ms E Bathurst (First to Ninth Respondents) Mr CRC Newlinds SC / Mr DG Guidolin (Tenth Respondent)