Barrett v Maradaca Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 440

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Barrett v Maradaca Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 440 Hearing dates: 1-4 and 8-10 October 2019 Decision date: 24 April 2020 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Lindsay J Decision: (1) On a finding of contravention of section 18 of the Australian Consumer Law, the cross defendants held liable to the second cross claimant for damages in the sum of $1.35 million, with an award of pre-judgment interest to be made.

(2) Orders to be made for a security fund of $200,000 presently held in escrow) to be applied towards reduction of the second cross claimant's entitlement to damages.

(3) Statement of claim and statement of cross claim otherwise to be dismissed. Catchwords: CONTRACTS – Misleading conduct under statute – Misleading or deceptive conduct – Silence – Remedies – Measure of damages – Australian Consumer Law, sections 18 and 236(1). Legislation Cited: Australian Consumer Law Civil Procedure Act 2005 NSW Competition and Consumer Act 2010 Cth Conveyancing Act 1919 NSW Fair Trading Act 1987 NSW Cases Cited: HTW Valuers (Central Qld) Pty Ltd v Astonland Pty Ltd (2004) 217 CLR 640 Kayteal Pty Ltd v John Joseph Dignan [2011] NSWSC 197 McAllister v Richmond Brewing Co. (NSW) Pty Ltd (1942) 42 SR (NSW) 187 Potts v Miller (1940) 64 CLR 282 Lam v Ausintel Investments Australia Pty Ltd (1989) 97 FLR 458 Miller & Associates Insurance Broking Pty Ltd v BMW Australia Finance Ltd (2010) 241 CLR 257 McAllister v Richmond Brewing Co. (NSW) Pty Ltd (1942) 42 SR (NSW) 187 Texts Cited: - Category: Principal judgment Parties: First Plaintiff: John Leonard Barrett Second Plaintiff: Steven Moran Third Plaintiff: Wirra Wirra Investments Pty Ltd (ACN 143 412 677) as trustee for the Wormald Trust Defendant: Maradaca Pty Ltd (ACN 001 528 954) First Cross Claimant: Maradaca Pty Ltd (ACN 001 528 954) Second Cross Claimant: ELB Pty Ltd (ACN 118 842 373) First Cross Defendant: John Leonard Barrett Second Cross Defendant: Steven Moran Third Cross Defendant: Wirra Wirra Investments Pty Ltd (ACN 143 412 677) as trustee for the Wormald Trust Fourth Cross Defendant: Sean Wormald Representation: Counsel: First Plaintiff: in person Second Plaintiff: in person Third Plaintiff: AE Munro Defendant: A D'Arville Cross Claimants: A D'Arville First Cross Defendant: in person Second Cross Defendant: in person Third Cross Defendant: AE Munro Fourth Cross Defendant: AE Munro