Creata (Aust) Pty Ltd v Faull [2017] NSWCA 300

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Creata (Aust) Pty Ltd v Faull [2017] NSWCA 300 Hearing dates: 31 October 2017 Date of orders: 28 November 2017 Decision date: 28 November 2017 Before: Gleeson JA at [1] White JA at [2] Barrett AJA at [3] Decision: 1. Grant leave to appeal. 2. Direct that the applicant do within seven days file a notice of appeal in the form of the draft notice of appeal in the white folder. 3. Set aside the orders made by the primary judge on 18 August 2017 and make in lieu the following orders: (a) Order that the statutory demand dated 30 January 2017 served on the plaintiff by the defendant be set aside. (b) Order that the defendant pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings. 4. Order that the respondent pay the applicant's costs of both the application for leave to appeal and the appeal and have a certificate under the Suitors Fund Act 1951 (NSW), if qualified. Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – statutory demand – appeal from a decision refusing to set aside – where application based on argument as to correct construction of deed – necessity to exercise restraint where questions of construction has element of rational controversy – where evidence of statement by third party indicates possibility of defence to debt recovery claim – necessity to exercise restraint in judging ultimate cogency of that evidence – genuine dispute or recent invention – sufficient material to show plausible case – leave to appeal granted Legislation Cited: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW). Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) Suitors Fund Act 1951 (NSW), Cases Cited: Be Financial Pty Ltd v Das [2012] NSWCA 164 Bevic Holdings Pty Ltd v Wright [2015] NSWCA 210 Britten-Norman Pty Ltd v Analysis & Technology Australia Pty Ltd (2013) 85 NSWLR 601; [2013] NSWCA 344 Broadspectrum (Australia) Pty Ltd v Centauri Business Services Pty Ltd [2016] NSWSC 1045 Drillsearch Energy Ltd v Carling Capital Partners Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 1192 Ecosse Property Holdings Pty Ltd v Gee Dee Nominees Pty Ltd (2017) 91 ALJR 486; [2017] HCA 12 Electricity Generation Corporation v Woodside Energy Ltd (2014) 251 CLR 640; [2014] HCA 7 Geoffrey W Hill & Associates v King (1992) 27 NSWLR 228 Hardel Pty Ltd v Burrell & Family Pty Ltd (2009) 103 SASR 408; [2009] SASC 77 In the matter of Creata (Aust) Pty Ltd (No 2) [2017] NSWSC 1090 In the matter of Creata (Aust) Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1055 In the matter of Linton Developments (Qld) Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 336 In the matter of Litigation Insurance Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 334 Infratel Networks Pty Ltd v Gundry's Telco and Rigging Pty Ltd (2012) 297 ALR 372; [2012] NSWCA 365 Ligon 158 Pty Ltd v Huber (2016) 117 ACSR 495; [2016] NSWCA 330 Malec Holdings Pty Ltd v Scotts Agencies Pty Ltd [2015] VSCA 330 MNWA Pty Ltd v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (2016) 117 ACSR 446; [2016] FCAFC 154 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Ltd v Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd (2015) 256 CLR 104; [2015] HCA 37 Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas (2004) 218 CLR 451; [2004] HCA 35 Passion Projects (Allyouneedislove) Pty Ltd v Concept Moulding Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 415 Reale Bros Pty Ltd v Reale (2003) 179 FLR 427; [2003] NSWSC 666 Spacorp Australia Pty Ltd v Myer Stores Ltd (2001) 19 ACLC 1270; [2001] VSCA 89 Tokich Holdings Pty Ltd v Sheraton Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd (2004) 185 FLR 130; [2004] NSWSC 527 TR Administration Pty Ltd v Frank Marchetti & Sons Pty Ltd (2008) 66 ACSR 67; [2008] VSCA 70 Wellnora Pty Ltd v Fiorentino (2008) 66 ACSR 229; [2008] NSWSC 483 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Creata (Aust) Pty Ltd – appellant Gary Adrian Faull – respondent Representation: Counsel: J C Giles SC, S M Foda – for the appellant P M Wood, D R Sulan – for the respondent