Segal v Osborne [2016] NSWSC 941

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Segal v Osborne [2016] NSWSC 941 Hearing dates: 22, 23 March, 12 May 2016 Date of orders: 07 July 2016 Decision date: 07 July 2016 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Darke J Decision: Amended Statement of Claim is dismissed with costs. Catchwords: CONVEYANCING – completion of contract – claim for reduction of purchase price owing to damage to land – whether damage to land through removal of fixtures – whether damage to land because of substantial quantity of rubbish on land – Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), s 66M

REAL PROPERTY – fixtures to land – dealings with and affecting fixtures – whether dishwasher fixture or chattel – whether incomplete kitchen cabinet fixture or chattel – whether large free standing wardrobes fixtures or chattels

CONVEYANCING – contract for sale – clause provided for purchase price to increase if completion occurred after nominated completion date, except where "actual completion is delayed because of vendor's default" – whether completion delayed because of vendor's default

EQUITY – trusts and trustees – powers, duties, rights and liabilities of trustees – statutory trustees for sale –duty of care in respect of trust property – whether breach of duty by failing to levy occupation fee – whether breach of duty to act impartially by permitting one beneficiary to remain in occupation without fee

WORDS AND PHRASES – "vendor's default" Legislation Cited: Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), ss 66G, 66M Cases Cited: Agripower Barrabara Pty Limited v Blomfield [2015] NSWCA 30 Arida v Arida [2015] NSWCA 170 Australian Provincial Assurance Co Limited v Coroneo (1938) 38 SR (NSW) 700 Cumberland Consolidated Holdings Limited v Ireland [1946] KB 264 Foran v Wight (1989) 168 CLR 385 Fouche v Superannuation Fund Board (1952) 88 CLR 609 Harb v Harb [2010] NSWSC 1251 Harvey v Barton (No 2) [2014] NSWSC 1478 Hawkins v Farley [1997] 2 Qd R 361 Luu v Sovereign Developments Pty Limited [2006] NSWCA 40 McCrohon v Harith [2010] NSWCA 67 NH Dunn v LM Ericsson Pty Limited (1979) 2 BPR 9241 National Australia Bank Limited v Blacker [2000] FCA 1458; (2000) 104 FCR 288 Palumberi v Palumberi (1986) 4 BPR 9106 Segal v Barel [2013] NSWCA 92 Segal v Barel (No 2) [2013] NSWCA 148 TEC Desert Pty Limited v Commissioner of State Revenue (WA) [2010] HCA 49; (2010) 241 CLR 576 Zaps Transport (Aust) Pty Limited v PJG Warehousing and Distribution Pty Limited [2016] NSWCA 97 Texts Cited: Megarry and Wade, The Law of Real Property (7th ed 2008) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Phillip Segal (Plaintiff) Michael Osborne (First Defendant) Margaret Colleen Hole (Second Defendant) Elie Barel (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: A Cornish (Plaintiff) S Chapple (First and Second Defendants) C Gleeson (Third Defendant)