In the matter of Granite Power Limited (administrators appointed) [2019] NSWSC 1491

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: In the matter of Granite Power Limited (administrators appointed) [2019] NSWSC 1491 Hearing dates: 22 August 2019 Decision date: 31 October 2019 Jurisdiction: Equity - Corporations List Before: Rees J Decision: 1. Pursuant to section 459H of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), set aside the statutory demand issued by the defendant to the plaintiff dated 26 March 2019. 2. Order the defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs of these proceedings. Catchwords: CORPORATIONS — Winding up — Statutory demand — Application to set aside on grounds of genuine dispute — Contract for consulting services — Factual dispute as to time worked — Genuine dispute made out — Dispute as to construction of termination clause — Not appropriate to determine competing constructions on a s 459G application — Whether defendant entitled to substantial "success fee" — Genuine dispute conceded shortly before hearing — Not necessary to determine s 459J contentions in the alternative — Demand set aside.

CORPORATIONS — Voluntary administration — Administrators appointed after judgment reserved on company's application to set aside statutory demand — Whether s 440D of the Corporations Act effects stay of proceedings — Not proceedings "against the company" where it is plaintiff — Application does not affect property of the company — No stay. Legislation Cited: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s 9, Pt 5.3A, ss 436A, 440D, 459H, 459J Cases Cited: Accordent Pty Ltd v RMBL Investments Ltd (2009) 105 SASR 62; [2009] SASC 248 Britten-Norman Pty Ltd v Analysis & Technology Australia Pty Ltd (2013) 85 NSWLR 601; [2013] NSWCA 344 Creata (Aust) Pty Limited v Faull (2017) 125 ACSR 212; [2017] NSWCA 300 Drillsearch Energy Limited v Carling Capital Partners Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 1192 Equuscorp Pty Ltd v Perpetual Trustees WA Ltd (1997) 80 FCR 296; (1997) 25 ACSR 675 Eyota Pty Ltd v Hanave Pty Ltd (1994) 12 ACSR 785 First State Computing Pty Ltd v Kyling (1995) 13 ACLC 939 Foxcroft v Ink Group Pty Ltd (1994) 15 ACSR 203 Grandview Ausbuilder Pty Ltd v Budget Demolitions Pty Ltd (2019) 136 ACSR 563; [2019] NSWCA 60 In the matter of Halal Meats Pty Ltd [2015] NSWSC 2041 In the matter of Linton Developments (Qld) Pty Limited [2017] NSWSC 336 In the matter of Litigation Insurance Pty Limited [2017] NSWSC 334 In the matter of UGL Process Solutions Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 1256 In the matter of Universal Property Group Pty Limited [2019] NSWSC 796 MG Corrosion Consultants Pty Ltd v Gilmopur (2012) 88 ACSR 170; [2012] FCA 383 Portrait Express (Sales) Pty Ltd v Kodak (Australasia) Ltd (1996) 20 ACSR 746 TR Administration Pty Ltd v Frank Marchetti & Sons Pty Ltd (2008) 66 ACSR 67; [2008] VSCA 70 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Granite Power Limited (administrators appointed) (Plaintiff)