D.R. Design (NSW) Pty Limited v Grand City International Development Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1778

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: D.R. Design (NSW) Pty Limited v Grand City International Development Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1778 Hearing dates: 13 and 14 November 2017 Decision date: 19 December 2017 Before: Ball J Decision: See paragraphs [89] to [91] of this judgment Catchwords: CONTRACTS – Construction – Interpretation – Termination clause – How termination clause should be interpreted – Requirement that clause be given sensible and businesslike interpretation CONTRACTS – Formation – Variation – Whether work for which plaintiff claims can be properly characterised as variations CONTRACTS – Termination – Repudiation of contract – Wrongful termination – Whether defendant was entitled to terminate contract – Whether defendant's notice of termination constituted wrongful repudiation Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 69 Cases Cited: Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (1973) 129 CLR 99; [1973] HCA 36 Carr v JA Berriman Pty Ltd (1953) 89 CLR 327; [1953] HCA 31 Charter Reinsurance Co Ltd v Fagan [1997] AC 313 Maggbury Pty Ltd v Hafele Australia Pty Ltd (2001) 210 CLR 181; [2001] HCA 70 Renard Constructions (ME) Pty Ltd v Minister for Public Works (1992) 26 NSWLR 234 Category: Principal judgment Parties: D.R. Design (NSW) Pty Limited t/as Dickson Rothschild (ACN 134 237 540) (Plaintiff) Grand City International Development Pty Ltd (ACN 601 060 600) (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: D Weinberger (Plaintiff) Dr A Greinke (Defendant)