Blue Visions Management Pty Limited v Chidiac [2017] NSWSC 255

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Blue Visions Management Pty Limited v Chidiac [2017] NSWSC 255 Hearing dates: 31 January 2017, 1 to 3, 6 to 10 and 13 February 2017 Decision date: 17 March 2017 Before: Ball J Decision: See paragraphs 228 to 231 of this judgment. Catchwords: AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW – misleading and deceptive conduct – whether representation made in trade or commerce CONTRACTS – general contractual principles – whether intention to be bound by contract can be inferred from parties conduct – whether employee bound by contract which was not signed CORPORATIONS – Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), ss 181, 182, 183 – whether improper use of position – whether improper use of information EQUITY – general principles – fiduciary obligations – duty not to pursue personal interests in conflict with those to whom duty is owed – whether employees pursued their personal interests in conflict with those of their employer – whether novation agreement released defendants from the consequences of breach EQUITY – remedies – Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s 1317H – calculation of damages or equitable compensation EQUITY – fiduciary obligations – derivative liability for breach of fiduciary duty – whether company "alter ego" of wrongdoing fiduciary ESTOPPEL – estoppel by conduct PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – pleadings and particulars – whether particulars were sufficient to raise defence of fully informed consent PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – pleadings and particulars – whether claim of deceit properly pleaded EVIDENCE – admissibility of evidence – Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 69 – whether documents admissible as business records TORTS – miscellaneous torts – deceit – whether plaintiff acted in reliance on representation – whether reliance caused the plaintiff loss TORTS – negligence – negligent misrepresentation Legislation Cited: Australian Consumer Law s 18 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 181, 182(1), 183(1), 1317H Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 69(3)(a) Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 324 Cases Cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Advanced Medical Institute Pty Ltd (No 2) (2005) 147 FCR 235; [2005] FCA 1357 Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd v Overliese (2011) 191 FCR 1; [2011] FCAFC 24 Boardman v Phipps [1967] 2 AC 46 Breen v Williams (1996) 186 CLR 71; [1996] HCA 57 Canadian Aero Service Ltd v O'Malley (1973) 40 DLR (3d) 371; [1974] SCR 592 Chan v Zacharia (1984) 154 CLR 178; [1984] HCA 36 Concrete Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594; [1990] HCA 17 Coope v LCM Litigation Fund Pty Ltd (2016) 333 ALR 524; [2016] NSWCA 37 Downe v Sydney West Area Health Service (No 2) (2008) 71 NSWLR 633; [2008] NSWSC 159 Empirnall Holdings Pty Ltd v Machon Paull Partners Pty Ltd (1988) 14 NSWLR 523 Forkserve Pty Ltd v Jack (2000) ACLC 299; [2000] NSWSC 1064 Gould v Vaggelas (1985) 157 CLR 215; [1985] HCA 75 Grimaldi v Chameleon Mining NL (No 2) (2012) 200 FCR 296; [2012] FCAFC 6 Hospital Products Ltd v United States Surgical Corporation (1984) 156 CLR 41; [1984] HCA 64 Howard v Commissioner of Taxation (2014) 253 CLR 83; [2014] HCA 21 Lister v Romford Ice & Cold Storage Co Ltd [1957] AC 555; [1957] 1 All ER 125 Magill v Magill (2006) 226 CLR 551; [2006] HCA 51 Manildra Laboratories Pty Ltd v Campbell [2009] NSWSC 987 Mutual Life & Citizens Assurance Co Ltd v Evatt (1968) 122 CLR 556; [1968] HCA 74 Nottingham University v Fishel [2000] IRC 1462; [2000] IRLR 471 R v Byrnes (1995) 183 CLR 501; [1995] HCA 1 Tepko Pty Limited v Water Board (2001) 206 CLR 1; [2001] HCA 19 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165; [2004] HCA 52 Warman International Limited v Dwyer (1995) 182 CLR 544; [1995] HCA 18 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Blue Visions Management Pty Limited (Plaintiff) Sam Chidiac (First Defendant) Arun Gunasegaram (Second Defendant) Aspire Corporation Pty Limited (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: JC Giles SC with A Byrne (Plaintiff) MR Hall SC with S Gray (Defendants)