Williams Group Australia Pty Ltd v Crocker [2016] NSWCA 265

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Williams Group Australia Pty Ltd v Crocker [2016] NSWCA 265 Hearing dates: 5 August 2016 Decision date: 22 September 2016 Before: Ward JA at [1]; Simpson JA at [152]; Payne JA at [153] Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: CONTRACT – guarantee – electronic signature – where director of company did not change password to system by which his electronic signature could be affixed to documents – where electronic signature affixed to application and guarantee without director's knowledge or authority – whether director bound by application of principles of ostensible authority – whether director shut eyes to obvious to justify fixing him with knowledge for purposes of ratification Cases Cited: Brott v The Queen (1992) 173 CLR 426; [1992] HCA 5 Bruce Harvey v State of New South Wales [2006] NSWSC 1436 Chilcotin Pty Ltd v Cenelage Pty Ltd [1999] NSWCA 11 Flexirent Capital Pty Ltd v EBS Consulting Pty Ltd (2007) 14 ANZ Ins Cas 61-732; [2007] VSC 158 Freeman & Lockyer v Buckhurst Park Properties (Mangal) Ltd [1964] 2 QB 480 Fry v Smellie [1912] 3 KB 282 Heperu Pty Ltd v Morgan Brooks Pty Ltd (No 2) [2007] NSWSC 1438 Hugger-Mugger, LLC v NetSuite Inc 2:04-CV-592 TC, 2005 US Dist International Paper Co v Spicer (1906) 4 CLR 739; [1906] HCA 75 L'Estrange v F Graucob Ltd [1934] 2 KB 394 Leybourne v Permanent Custodians Ltd [2010] NSWCA 78 Morison v London County and Westminster Bank Ltd [1914] 3 KB 356 Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas (2004) 218 CLR 451; [2004] HCA 35 Petersen v Moloney (1951) 84 CLR 91; [1951] HCA 57 R v Beard (1837) 8 C & P 143 R v Beardsall (1859) 1 F & F 529; 175 ER 839 R v Forbes (1835) 7 C & P 224 R v Parish (1837) 8 C & P 94 Rowe v B&R Nominees Pty Ltd [1964] VR 477 Savery v King (1856) 5 HL Cas 627 Stuart v Hishon [2013] NSWSC 766 Taylor v Smith (1926) 38 CLR 48; [1926] HCA 16 Toll Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165; [2004] HCA 52 Turner v Webb (1941) 42 SR (NSW) 68 Vitek v Estate Homes Pty Ltd [2013] NSWSC 1764 Water Board v Moustakas [1988] HCA 12; 180 CLR 491 Williams Group Australia Pty Ltd v Crocker [2015] NSWSC 1907 Texts Cited: G E Dal Pont, Law of Agency (3rd ed, 2014, LexisNexis) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Williams Group Australia Pty Ltd (Appellant) Lee Anthony Crocker (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: IE Davidson SC with Ms LE Hulmes (Appellant) VF Kerr (Respondent)