H20 Learning Pty Ltd v Swim Loops Pty Ltd t/as Jump Swim Schools [2019] NSWDC 165

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: H20 Learning Pty Ltd v Swim Loops Pty Ltd t/as Jump Swim Schools [2019] NSWDC 165 Hearing dates: 30 April 2019, 1, 2 May 2019. Date of orders: 09 May 2019 Decision date: 09 May 2019 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Abadee DCJ Decision: See paragraph 209. Catchwords: TRADE PRACTICES – misleading or deceptive conduct – franchise agreements – characterisation of pre-contractual representation about the estimate for completion of operational swim schools – whether estimate constitutes a promise or a prediction – whether estimate is a representation as to a future matter – whether deeming provision (s 4 of Australian Consumer Law) applies – whether individual defendants primarily liable for any misleading conduct.

DAMAGES – whether causal connection between pre-contractual representation and loss or damage – whether action subsequently released. Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Contracts Review Act 1980 (NSW) Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No.3) (NSW) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Cases Cited: Apollo Shower Screens Pty Ltd v Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments Corp (1985) 1 NSWLR 561 ASIC v Hellicar (2012) 247 CLR 345 ASIC v McDonald (No.11) (2009) 256 ALR 199 Blatch v Archer (1774) 98 ER 969 Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Ltd (2004) 218 CLR 592 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 238 CLR 304 Cummings v Lewis (1993) 41 FCR 559 Foran v Wight (1989) 168 CLR 385 Forrest v ASIC (2012) 247 CLR 486 Gould v Vaggelas (1985) 157 CLR 215 Henville v Walker (2001) 206 CLR 459 Houghton v Arms (2006) 225 CLR 553 James v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Pty Ltd (1986) 64 ALR 347 JJ Savage & Sons Pty Ltd v Blakney (1970) 119 CLR 435 Kenny & Good Pty Ltd v MGICA (1992) Ltd (1999) 199 CLR 413 Morley v ASIC (2010) 274 ALR 205 North East Equity Pty Ltd v Proud Nominees Pty Ltd (2010) 269 ALR 262 Rawson v Hobbs (1961) 107 CLR 466 Real Estate Pty Ltd v Jainran Pty Ltd (2010) 14 BPR 27 Rosenberg v Percival (2001) 205 CLR 434 Ross v Allis-Chalmers Pty Ltd (1980) 32 ALR 561 Sykes v Reserve Bank of Australia (1998) 88 FCR 511 The NTF Group Pty Ltd v P A Putney [2017] NSWSC 1194 Wardley Australia Ltd v Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 Watson v Foxman (2000) 49 NSWLR 315 Texts Cited: Meagher Gummow & Lehane's Equity: Doctrines and Remedies, (5th ed) Cheshire & Fifoot Law of Contract (11th Aust ed) I M Jackman, 'Some judicial fallacies concerning entire agreement clauses' (2015) 89 ALJ 791 Category: Principal judgment Parties: H20 Learning Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Swim Loops Pty Ltd t/as Jump! Swim Schools (First Defendant) Mr Campbell (Second Defendant) Mr Rice (Third Defendant) Mr Hurry (Fourth Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr D A Allen (Plaintiff) Mr M Gunning (First to Fourth Defendants)