Aust Tech Engineering & Supplies Pty Ltd v AGM Construction Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 133

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Aust Tech Engineering & Supplies Pty Ltd v AGM Construction Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 133 Hearing dates: 11 April 2019, 12 April 2019 Date of orders: 17 April 2019 Decision date: 17 April 2019 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Abadee DCJ Decision: See paragraph 129. Catchwords: CONTRACTS - contract for supply of project manager services for construction works – manager's fees not fully paid – whether valid basis for discharge of debt – whether project manager breached contract – construction of contract – meaning of posited obligation "to ensure" no cost overruns – whether literal meaning should be applied – whether test of absurdity satisfied – whether project manager agreed to non-payment of last invoice – whether entitlement abandoned. Cases Cited: Agricultural and Rural Finance Ltd v Gardiner (2008) 238 CLR 570; [2008] HCA 57 Auburn Municipal Council v ARC Engineering Pty Ltd [1973] 1 NSWLR 513 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd (1973) 129 CLR 99 Newey v Westpac Banking Corporation [2014] NSWCA 319 Fitzgerald v Masters (1956) 95 CLR 420 Gloria Jean's Coffee v Western Exports Services Inc [2011] NSWCA 137 McGrath v Sturesteps (2011) 81 NSWLR 690 Miwa Pty Ltd v Siantan Properties Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 297 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Ltd v Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd (2015) 256 CLR 104 Victoria v Tatts Group Ltd (2016) 90 ALJR 392; HCA 5 Westpac Banking Corp v Tanzone Pty Ltd (2000) 9 BPR 17,521 Texts Cited: Cheshire & Fifoot Law of Contract (11th Australian ed) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Aust Tech Engineering & Supplies Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) AGM Construction Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr O'Dowd (Plaintiff) Mr Batley (Defendant)