Iskra v MMIR Pty Limited [2019] NSWCA 126

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Iskra v MMIR Pty Limited [2019] NSWCA 126 Hearing dates: 20 May 2019 Decision date: 30 May 2019 Before: Bathurst CJ at [1] Gleeson JA at [2] Payne JA at [55] Decision: (1) Allow the appeal.

(2) Vacate the stay order made by the Court on 27 February 2019.

(3) Set aside orders 1, 2, 3 and 4 made by the primary judge on 29 January 2019 and, in place, order:

(a) Dismiss the summons filed on 21 November 2018.

(b) Plaintiff to pay the first defendant's costs of the proceedings.

(c) That the sum of $138,135.59 paid into court by MMIR Pty Limited on 30 November 2018, together with any interest accrued thereon, be paid out to Ganni John Iskra forthwith.

(4) The first respondent to pay the appellant's costs of the appeal. Catchwords: BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION – adjudication of payment claim – review of adjudicator's decision – whether adjudicator simply allowed claim in full in default of any valid submission against it – whether adjudicator engaged in process of evaluation – no requirement for legally correct language – fine-tooth comb approach not appropriate – Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), ss 9, 10, 22(1), 22(2), 22(3)

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – whether adjudicator exercised statutory function to determine value of construction work – where adjudication may not be set aside for error of fact or law – jurisdictional error – no requirement for legally correct language – determination not to be examined with fine-tooth comb Legislation Cited: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), ss 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 22 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 42.1 Cases Cited: Azriel v NSW Land & Housing Corporation (2006) 67 NSWLR 256; [2006] NSWCA 372 Brodyn Pty Ltd t/as Time Cost and Quality v Davenport (2004) 61 NSWLR 421; [2004] NSWCA 394 Cockram Construction Ltd v Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 107 Coordinated Construction Co Pty Ltd v J M Hargreaves (NSW) Pty Ltd (2005) 63 NSWLR 385; [2005] NSWCA 228 Goodwin Street Developments Pty Ltd v DSD Builders Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 276 Hossain v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2018) 92 ALJR 780; [2018] HCA 34 Icon Co (NSW) Pty Ltd v Australia Avenue Developments Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 339 Krahe v Manfate Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCA 363 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang (1996) 185 CLR 259 Pacific General Securities Ltd v Soliman & Sons Pty [2006] NSWSC 13; Ltd (2006) 196 FLR 388 Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Shade Systems Pty Ltd (2018) 92 ALJR 248; [2018] HCA 4 Weal v Bathurst City Council [2000] NSWCA 88; (2000) 11 LGERA 181 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ganni John Iskra (Appellant) MMIR Pty Limited (First Respondent) Callum Campbell (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: F Hicks SC / M Auld (Appellant) E A Walker (Respondent)