The Owners SP No 8075 v Esh Group Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 93

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: The Owners SP No 8075 v Esh Group Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 93 Hearing dates: 27, 28 & 29 March 2019 Date of orders: 29 March 2019 Decision date: 29 March 2019 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Abadee DCJ Decision: There should be judgment for the plaintiff as against each of the defendants for the sum of $494,665.78. If I am mistaken as to the amount of the interest, it will be for the parties to apply for a variation of the amount of the judgment. Catchwords: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION – s 177 of the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) – duty of care "not to do anything that removes the support to any other land – whether encompasses omissions – where owner holds non-delegable duty of care.

NEGLIGENCE – breach of duty – reasonable-precautions – whether failed causation established – whether recurrent costs reasonable.

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – defendants' failing to adduce evidence.

Jones v Dunkel defence.

Blatch v Archer Maxim – pleading – whether plaintiff precluded from relying on s177 of Conveyancing Act Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) Cases Cited: BCI Finances Pty Ltd (in liq) v Binetter (No.4) [2016] FCA 1351 Blatch v Archer (1774) 98 ER 969 Burnie Port Authority v General Jones Pty Ltd (1994) 170 CLR 520 Evans v Balog [1976] 1 NSWLR 36 John Llavero v Brett Anthony Shearer [2014] NSWSC 1336 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Lym International Pty Ltd v Marcolongo [2011] NSWCA 303 Pantalone v Alaouie (1989) 18 NSWLR 119 Port Kembla Coal Terminal Ltd v Braverus Maritime Inc (2004) 140 FCR 445 Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) v Dederer (2007) 234 CLR 330 Strong v Woolworths (2012) 246 CLR 182 Water Board v Moustakas (1987) 180 CLR 491 Texts Cited: Meagher, Gummow and Lehane's Equity: Doctrines and Remedies Law Reform Commission of New South Wales, Report 84 'The Right to Support from Adjoining Land' (1997) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Strata Plan 8058 (Plaintiff) Esh Property Group Pty Ltd & Ors (Defendants) Representation: Counsel: Mr Perla (Plaintiff) Mr Follino-Gallo (First to Fifth Defendants) Mr Cazzi – (Sixth Defendant)