Lay v Pech [2018] NSWSC 460

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Lay v Pech [2018] NSWSC 460 Hearing dates: 7-8 March 2017 and 8-9 March 2018 Decision date: 19 April 2018 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Robb J Decision: The plaintiffs are to prepare short minutes of order, through discussion with the legal representatives for the defendant, to give effect to these reasons for judgment. Catchwords: EQUITY – Equitable interests in property – Nature of equitable interests – whether the first plaintiff has an equitable interest in the property

EQUITY – Trusts and trustees – Declaration of trust – whether the equity in the property was held on trust for the first plaintiff

EQUITY – Defences – Illegality – whether the illegality had an immediate and necessary relation to the equities sued for Legislation Cited: Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 (Cth) Cases Cited: Permanent Trustee Australia Ltd v FAI General Insurance Co Ltd (in liq) (2003) 214 CLR 514; [2003] HCA 25 Middleton v O'Neill (1943) 43 SR (NSW) 178 Harry Goudias Pty Ltd v Akakios (2007) 97 SASR 93; [2007] SASC 81 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336; [1938] HCA 34 REW08 Projects Pty Ltd v PNC Lifestyle Investments Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCA 269 Dering v Earl of Winchelsea (1787) 1 Cox Eq 318; 29 ER 1184 Nelson v Nelson (1995) 184 CLR 538; [1995] HCA 25 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Lyna Lay (First Plaintiff) Muy Kong Tai (Second Plaintiff) Poly Pech (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr J Lo Schiavo (Plaintiffs) Ms I J King (Defendant)