Fitness First Australia Pty Limited v Fenshaw Pty Limited [2016] NSWSC 47

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Fitness First Australia Pty Limited v Fenshaw Pty Limited [2016] NSWSC 47 Hearing dates: 14, 15 and 16 December 2015 Date of orders: 11 February 2016 Decision date: 11 February 2016 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Darke J Decision: Leases construed in manner contended for by landlord. Parties directed to bring in Short Minutes of Orders. Catchwords: CONTRACTS – construction and interpretation – outgoings provisions in commercial leases – obligation to pay increases in certain outgoings – whether necessary to depart from literal meaning of words so as to avoid commercial absurdity – scope of expression "in respect of the Premises"

REAL PROPERTY – commercial leases – construction and interpretation – obligation to pay increases in certain outgoings – whether necessary to depart from literal meaning of words so as to avoid commercial absurdity – scope of expression "in respect of the Premises"

WORDS AND PHRASES – "in respect of" Legislation Cited: Land Tax Management Act 1956 (NSW), s 3A Cases Cited: Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association (1973) 129 CLR 99 Chartbrook Limited v Persimmon Homes Limited [2009] UKHL 38; [2009] 1 AC 1101 Commissioner of Stamp Duties (NSW) v Carlenka Pty Limited (1995) 41 NSWLR 329 Electricity Generation Corporation v Woodside Energy Limited [2014] HCA 7; (2014) 251 CLR 640 Fitzgerald v Masters (1956) 95 CLR 420 Jireh International Pty Limited v Western Exports Services Inc. [2011] NSWCA 137 Maggbury Pty Limited v Hafele Australia Pty Limited [2001] HCA 70; (2001) 210 CLR 181 Mainteck Services Pty Limited v Stein Heurtey SA [2014] NSWCA 184 Maralinga Pty Limited v Major Enterprises Pty Limited (1973) 128 CLR 336 McGrath v Sturesteps [2011] NSWCA 315; (2011) 81 NSWLR 690 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Limited v Wright Prospecting Pty Limited [2015] HCA 37; (2015) 89 ALJR 990 New South Wales Medical Defence Union Limited v Transport Industries Insurance Co. Limited (1986) 6 NSWLR 740 Newey v Westpac Banking Corporation [2014] NSWCA 319 Pacific Carriers Limited v BNP Paribas [2004] HCA 35; (2004) 218 CLR 451 Pukallus v Cameron (1982) 180 CLR 447 Ryledar Pty Limited v Euphoric Pty Limited [2007] NSWCA 65; (2007) 69 NSWLR 603 Toll (FGCT) Pty Limited v Alphapharm Pty Limited [2004] HCA 52; (2004) 219 CLR 165 Wonall Pty Limited v Clarence Property Corporation Limited [2003] NSWSC 497; (2003) 58 NSWLR 23 Wyllie v Tarrison Pty Limited [2007] NSWCA 184 Zhu v Treasurer (NSW) [2004] HCA 56; (2004) 218 CLR 530 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Fitness First Pty Limited (Plaintiff/Cross Defendant) Fenshaw Pty Limited (Defendant/Cross Claimant) Representation: Counsel: Ms S Clemmett (Plaintiff/Cross Defendant) Mr D Hand (Defendant/Cross Claimant)