Dietrich v Denning [2016] NSWSC 597

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Dietrich v Denning [2016] NSWSC 597 Hearing dates: 16, 17 March 2016 Date of orders: 12 May 2016 Decision date: 12 May 2016 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Darke J Decision: Plaintiff's claims for an equitable easement over a driveway, or alternatively that an easement over the driveway should be imposed, are rejected. Catchwords: REAL PROPERTY – equitable easements – creation of easements by acquiescence or estoppel – plaintiff given limited permission to use defendant's driveway – acquiescence in lengthy period of use by plaintiff – not unconscientious of defendants to halt such use – no personal equity established – claim for equitable easement rejected

REAL PROPERTY – statutory easements – Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) s 88K – whether right of way over part of defendants' driveway reasonably necessary for effective use of plaintiff's land –proposed easement would place significant and ongoing burden on defendants' land – easement not shown to be reasonably necessary Legislation Cited: Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), s 88K Cases Cited: Bahr v Nicolay (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 604 Bloom v Lepre [2008] NSWSC 79 Breskvar v Wall (1971) 126 CLR 376 Drew v Asimus (1998) 9 BPR 16,531 Frazer v Walker [1967] AC 569 Hanny v Lewis (1998) 9 BPR 16,205 Hillpalm Pty Limited v Heaven's Door Pty Limited [2004] HCA 59; (2004) 220 CLR 472 Khattar v Wiese [2005] NSWSC 1014 Mitchell v Boutagy [2001] NSWSC 1045; (2001) 118 LGERA 249 Moorebank Recyclers Pty Limited v Tanlane Pty Limited [2012] NSWCA 445 Willmott v Barber (1880) 15 Ch D 96 Winter Garden Theatre (London) Limited v Millennium Productions Limited [1948] AC 173 Texts Cited: Peter Butt, Land Law, (6th ed 2010, Thomson Reuters) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Maxwell Cecial Dietrich (Plaintiff) Albert Neil Denning (First Defendant) Aaron Noel Denning (Second Defendant) Cassandra Patricia Denning (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Ms S Haddad (Plaintiff) Mr P Walsh (Defendants)