Pryse v Clark [2017] NSWSC 185

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Pryse v Clark [2017] NSWSC 185 Hearing dates: 27/02/2017, 28/02/2017 Date of orders: 01 March 2017 Decision date: 01 March 2017 Jurisdiction: Equity - Commercial List Before: McDougall J Decision: Grant interlocutory injunctions to enforce clauses 13.3 to 13.6 of the partnership agreement between the plaintiffs and the defendants. Catchwords: RESTRAINT OF TRADE – partnership agreement – application for interlocutory injunction – validity of restraint of trade – whether enforcement of restraint necessary to protect legitimate interests of partnership's confidential information, good will or workforce stability – balance of convenience – adequacy of damages as a remedy for any breach – whether parties capable of assessing their best interests at the time of contracting – strength of plaintiffs' case Legislation Cited: Restraints of Trade Act 1976 (NSW) Cases Cited: Amoco Australia Pty Ltd v Rocca Bros Motor Ltd (1973) 133 CLR 288 Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill (2006) 227 CLR 57 Cactus Imaging Pty Ltd v Peters (2006) 71 NSWLR 9 Cayne v Global Natural Resources PLC [1984] 1 All ER 225 Emeco International Pty Ltd v O'Shea (No 2) (2012) 225 IR 423 Engineering Co Pty Ltd (1973) 133 CLR 288 IRC v Muller & Company's Margarine Ltd [1901] AC 217 Esso Petroleum Co Ltd v Harper's Garage (Stourport) Ltd [1966] AC 269 Geraghty v Minter (1979) 142 CLR 177 Kolback Securities Ltd v Epoch Mining NL (1987) 8 NSWLR 533 Koops Martin v Deane Reeves [2006] NSWSC 449 Lindner v Murdoch's Garage (1950) 83 CLR 628 Stacks Taree v Marshall (No 2) [2010] NSWSC 77 Woolworths Limited v Olson [2004] NSWCA 372 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Michael Keith Hamilton Pryse (First Plaintiff) and 165 others Andrew Simon Clark (First Defendant) and 7 others Representation: Counsel: P J Brereton SC / R J Harris / J E Curtin (Plaintiffs) B W Walker SC / J Darams / Y Shariff / V Bulut (Defendants)