McElwaine v The Owners - Strata Plan 75975 [2017] NSWCA 239

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: McElwaine v The Owners - Strata Plan 75975 [2017] NSWCA 239 Hearing dates: 25 July 2017 Decision date: 20 September 2017 Before: Basten JA at [1]; White JA at [5]; Sackville AJA at [73] Decision: 1. Appeal allowed.

2. Set aside the order made on 10 November 2016 that the plaintiff's proceedings be dismissed with costs.

3. Order that the question ordered for separate determination on 13 May 2015, namely:

"Whether the legal effect of Chapter 5 of the Strata Schemes Management Act is that the plaintiff has no remedy against the defendant in common law nuisance in respect of the claim pleaded in the proposed Further Amended Statement of Claim?",

be answered, no.

4. Remit the proceedings to the Equity Division for determination of the appellant's claim.

5. Order that the respondent pay the appellant's costs of the determination of the separate question and of the appeal.

6. Grant the respondent a certificate pursuant to the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW) in respect of the costs of the appeal if qualified. Catchwords: REAL PROPERTY — Strata title — General matters — whether Ch 5 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 (NSW) has the effect of excluding a claim for common law damages — construction of s 226 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 (NSW) — whether appellant has a right or remedy arising "apart from this Act" — whether appellant's right to sue at common law is preserved by s 226 Legislation Cited: Real Property Act 1900 (NSW), s 3 Strata Schemes (Freehold Development) Act 1973, ss 6, 21 Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 (NSW), ss 61, 62, 138, 226 Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW), Sch 3, Pt 2, cl 7 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 103 Cases Cited: Balog v Independent Commission Against Corruption (1990) 169 CLR 625; [1990] HCA 28 Berowra Holdings Pty Ltd v Gordon (2006) 225 CLR 364; [2006] HCA 32 Brookfield Multiplex Ltd v Owners Corporation Strata Plan 61288 (2014) 254 CLR 185; [2014] HCA 36 Chief Commissioner of State Revenue v Smeaton Grange Holdings Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCA 184 Doughty v Martino Developments Pty Ltd (2010) 27 VR 499; [2010] VSCA 121 Gumana v Northern Territory (2007) 158 FCR 349; [2007] FCAFC 23 Harrison v Melhem (2008) 72 NSWLR 380; [2008] NSWCA 67 Malika Holdings Pty Ltd v Stretton (2001) 204 CLR 290; [2001] HCA 14 McElwaine v The Owners – Strata Plan No. 75975 [2016] NSWSC 1589 Momcilovic v The Queen (2011) 245 CLR 1; [2011] HCA 34 National Employers Mutual General Insurance Association Ltd v Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Ltd (1989) 17 NSWLR 223 at 235, 240 Owners – Strata Plan 21702 v Krimbogiannis [2014] NSWCA 411 Owners – Strata Plan No 43551 v Walter Construction Group Ltd (2004) 62 NSWLR 169; [2004] NSWCA 429 Potter v Minahan (1908) 7 CLR 277; [1908] HCA 63 Saeed v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (2010) 241 CLR 252; [2010] HCA 23 The Owners Strata Plan 50276 v Thoo [2013] NSWCA 270; (2013) 17 BPR 33,789 Tiufino v Warland (2000) 50 NSWLR 104; [2000] NSWCA 110 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Paul Gerard McElwaine (Appellant) The Owners, Strata Plan 75975 (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: R J de Meyrick (Appellant) A J McInerney SC with T O Prince (Respondent)