Dunkirk Property Development Pty Ltd v Mosman & Co Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 73

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Dunkirk Property Development Pty Ltd v Mosman & Co Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 73 Hearing dates: 26 September 2018 Date of orders: 15 February 2019 Decision date: 15 February 2019 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Harrison AsJ Decision: The Court orders that:

(1) The appeal is upheld.

(2) The Local Court judgment that Dunkirk Property Development Pty Ltd pay $91,000 to Mosman & Co Pty Ltd is to be set aside.

(3) The notice of contention filed 12 June 2018 is dismissed.

Judgment:

(4) In lieu, I enter judgment that Dunkirk Property Development Pty Ltd is to pay Mosman & Co Pty Ltd the sum of $30,000 owed under the fees agreement.

The Court notes that:

(5) At the time of these proceedings, Dunkirk Property Development Pty Ltd has already paid Mosman & Co Pty Ltd the sum of $30,000 so ordered.

The Court further orders that:

(6) The defendant is to pay the plaintiff's costs on an ordinary basis. Catchwords: APPEAL – Local Court – Local Court Act – Error of law – Failure to give reasons – Contract – Real estate agency agreement –Whether fees agreement varied or terminated agency agreement – Whether repudiation of fees agreement entitled aggrieved party to terminate – Whether aggrieved party entitled to sue for amount owing under original or varied agreement

Notice of contention – Agreement of accord and satisfaction – Whether fees agreement was agreement of accord and conditional satisfaction – Whether fees agreement varied agency agreement such that performance was a condition precedent Legislation Cited: Local Court Act 2007 (NSW), s 39(1), s 40(1) Cases Cited: Beneficial Finance Corp Ltd v Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd (1995) 36 NSWLR 510 Beale v Government Insurance Office of NSW (1997) 48 NSWLR 430 Carr v J A Berriman Pty Ltd (1953) 89 CLR 327 Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia v Sara Lee Household & Body Car (Australia) Pty Limited (2000) 201 CLR 520 Cox Purtell Staffing Services Pty Ltd v Our Energy Group Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1122 Damberg v Damberg (2001) 52 NSWLR 492 El-Mir v Risk [2005] NSWCA 215 Foakes v Beer (1884) 9 App Cas 605 Hunters Hill Council v Hakim [2016] NSWSC 1598 Jingalong Pty Limited v Todd [2015] NSWCA 7 Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council v Sanpine Pty Ltd (2007) 233 CLR 115 Madden's Stable Bedding Pty Ltd v Reid [2014] NSWSC 554 McDonald v Dennys Lascelles Limited [1933] 48 CLR 457 Musemeci v Winadell Pty Ltd (1994) 34 NSWLR 723 Osborn v McDermott [1998] 3 VR 1 Pinnel's Case (1602) 5 Co Rep 117a Public Service Board of New South Wales v Osmond (1986) 159 CLR 656 Soulemeizis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Limited (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 Tallerman & Co Pty Ltd v Nathan's Merchandise (Vic) Pty Ltd (1957) 98 CLR 93 Tramways Advertising Pty Ltd v Luna Park (NSW) Ltd (1938) 38 SR (NSW) 632 Tropical Traders Ltd v Goonan (1964) 111 CLR 41; [1964] HCA 20 Texts Cited: Carter on Contract (LexisNexis Australia, 2015) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Dunkirk Property Development Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Mosman & Co Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: D Allen (Plaintiff) D Tang (Defendant)