Donau Pty Limited v ASC AWD Shipbuilder Pty Limited [2018] NSWSC 1273

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Donau Pty Limited v ASC AWD Shipbuilder Pty Limited [2018] NSWSC 1273 Hearing dates: 16 to 18, 23 to 25 July 2018 Decision date: 20 August 2018 Before: Ball J Decision: See paragraphs 179 and 180 of this judgment. Catchwords: CONTRACTS – Construction and interpretation – Parol evidence rule – Prior negotiations – Subsequent conduct CONTRACTS – Termination – Election – Where a party's conduct is consistent with both an election to affirm the contract and the reservation of a right to terminate CONTRACTS – Construction – Interpretation – Implicit limitation on contractual right that right be exercised within a reasonable time CONTRACTS – Termination – Consequences of termination – Whether claim for liquidated damages released by contractual provision CONTRACTS – Misleading conduct under statute – Misleading or deceptive conduct – Opinions – Predictions – Whether the impugned conduct was misleading or deceptive – Causation and reliance Legislation Cited: Australian Consumer Law Local Government Act 1919 (NSW) Cases Cited: Agricultural & Rural Finance Pty Ltd v Gardiner (2008) 238 CLR 570; [2008] HCA 57 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (1973) 129 CLR 99 at 109; [1973] HCA 36 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 238 CLR 304; [2009] HCA 25 Canning v Temby (1905) 3 CLR 419; [1905] HCA 45 Cavallari v Premier Refrigeration Co Pty Ltd (1952) 85 CLR 20 Champtaloup v Thomas [1976] 2 NSWLR 264 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337; [1982] HCA 24 Crawford Fitting Co v Sydney Valve & Fittings Pty Ltd (1988) 14 NSWLR 438 Doppstadt Australia Pty Ltd v Lovick & Son Developments Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 158 Elders Ltd v Incitec Pivot Ltd [2006] SASC 99 Electricity Generation Corporation v Woodside Energy Ltd (2014) 251 CLR 640; [2014] HCA 7 Immer (No 145) Pty Ltd v Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) (1993) 182 CLR 26; [1993] HCA 27 Johnston v Brightstars Holding Company Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 150 K & M Prodanovski Pty Ltd v Calliden Insurance Ltd [2012] NSWCA 117 Perri v Coolangatta Investments Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 537; [1982] HCA 29 Reid v Moreland Timber Co Pty Ltd (1946) 73 CLR 1 Sargent v ASL Developments Ltd (1974) 131 CLR 634; [1974] HCA 40 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165; [2004] HCA 52 Tropical Traders Ltd v Goonan (1964) 111 CLR 41 United Australia Ltd v Barclays Bank Ltd [1941] AC 1 Wendt v Bruce (1931) 45 CLR 245; [1931] HCA 9 Whitworth Street Estates Ltd v Miller [1970] AC 583 WIN Corporation Pty Ltd v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 297; (2016) 341 ALR 467 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Donau Pty Limited ABN 17 000 019 616 (Plaintiff) ASC AWD Shipbuilder Pty Limited ABN 15 112 123 181 (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: NC Hutley SC with K Stern SC and E Bathurst (Plaintiff) PJ Brereton SC with E Holmes, R Mansted and A Bhasin (Defendant)