EB 9 & 10 Pty Ltd v The Owners Strata Plan 934 [2018] NSWCA 288

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: EB 9 & 10 Pty Ltd v The Owners Strata Plan 934 [2018] NSWCA 288 Hearing dates: 6 November 2018 Date of orders: 28 November 2018 Decision date: 28 November 2018 Before: Meagher JA at [1] Gleeson JA at [2] Barrett AJA at [3] Decision: 1. Appeal dismissed. 2. The appellant pay the respondent's costs of the appeal. Catchwords: LAND LAW – strata titles – proceedings by lot owner against owners corporation – lot owner obtains declaratory relief establishing a limited right apart from the strata titles legislation to use part of the common property – the successful plaintiff ordered to pay the costs of the unsuccessful defendant – whether that result compelled by strata titles legislation – whether the taking of the proceedings was not justified because the strata titles legislation made adequate provision for the enforcement of the plaintiff's rights or remedies PROCEDURE – costs – departure from the general rule that costs follow the event – provision of strata titles legislation requiring that successful plaintiff be ordered to pay costs of unsuccessful defendant – whether applicable Legislation Cited: Community Land Management Act 1989 (NSW) Fines Act 1996 (NSW) Strata Schemes (Freehold Development) Act 1973 (NSW) Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 (NSW) Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v The Shell Company of Australia Limited (1997) 72 FCR 386 Australian Conservation Foundation Inc v The Commonwealth (1980) 146 CLR 493; [1980] HCA 53 Bass v Permanent Trustee Co Ltd (1999) 198 CLR 334; [1999] HCA 9 Boutros v Nationwide Capital Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 246 Brookfield Multiplex Ltd v Owners Corporation Strata Plan 61288 (2014) 254 CLR 185; [2014] HCA 36 Clark v Matton Developments Pty Ltd [2016] QSC 251 EB 9 & 10 Pty Ltd v The Owners Strata Plan 934 [2018] NSWSC 464 EB 9 & 10 Pty Ltd v The Owners Strata Plan 934 (No 2) [2018] NSWSC 546 Jackson v Slattery (1984) 1 NSWLR 599 King v Goussetis (1986) 5 NSWLR 89 McElwaine v The Owners Strata Plan 75975 [2017] NSWCA 239; (2017) 18 BPR 37,207 Minister for Local Government v Blue Mountains City Council [2018] NSWCA 133 Navarro v Spanish-Australian Club of Canberra ACT Inc (1987) 87 FLR 390 Phillips v Walsh (1990) 20 NSWLR 206 Port of London Authority v Cairn Line of Steamships Ltd [1913] 1 KB 497 Remington Products Australia Pty Ltd v Energizer Australia Pty Ltd [2008] FCAFC 47; 246 ALR 113 Royal Insurance Co Ltd v Mylius (1926) 38 CLR 477; [1926] HCA 49 Sovar v Henry Lane Pty Ltd (1967) 116 CLR 397; [1967] HCA 31 The Owners Strata Plan 37762 v Pham [2006] NSWSC 1287 The Owners Strata Plan 50276 v Thoo [2013] NSWCA 270; (2013) 17 BPR 33,789 The Owners Strata Plan 47027 v McGinn [2018] NSWSC 1230 Triden Contractors Pty Ltd v CE Heath Casualty and General Insurance Ltd [1996] NSWSC 517; 9 ANZ Ins Cas 61-356 Watt v Mortlock [1964] Ch 84 Woolmington v Bronze Lamp Restaurant Pty Ltd [1984] 2 NSWLR 242 Category: Principal judgment Parties: EB 9 & 10 Pty Ltd (Appellant) The Owners Strata Plan 934 (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr J S Emmett (Appellant) Mr M Ashhurst SC with him Mr M R L Forgacs (Respondent)