C&V Engineering Services Pty Ltd v Metropolitan Demolitions Pty Ltd
[2023] NSWCA 240
At a glance
Source factsCourt
Court of Appeal (NSW)
Decision date
2023-10-10
Before
Kirk JA, Adamson JA, Stern JA
Source
Original judgment source is linked above.
Judgment (10 paragraphs)
[Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.]
JUDGMENT
- THE COURT: On 24 July 2023 the Court allowed this appeal in part, set aside the orders of the primary judge made on 21 September 2022 and made orders which included that the respondent ("Metropolitan") pay the costs of the appellant ("C&V") both of the appeal and at first instance: C&V Engineering Services Pty Ltd v Metropolitan Demolitions Pty Ltd [2023] NSWCA 167. The Court also made a declaration as to the contract that was entered into between C&V and Metropolitan on 5 July 2018 in relation to Building C of the development at Circular Quay ("Building C"). The Court remitted the issue of quantum of damages for breach of contract as regards Building C to the trial judge on the basis that it is a matter for the trial judge whether to refer that issue to a referee.
- The context for the orders of this Court was that, before the primary judge, C&V substantially succeeded on its claim in relation to Building B of the development at Circular Quay ("Building B") but failed on its claim in relation to Building C. On that basis the primary judge held that C&V was entitled to its costs in relation to the Building B claim, but that Metropolitan should have its costs in relation to the Building C claim: C&V Engineering v Metropolitan (No.3) [2022] NSWDC 421 at [30] ("C&V v Metropolitan (No.3)"). On appeal, C&V's success on its claim in relation to Building B was undisturbed, but C&V succeeded on its grounds of appeal regarding Building C. The effect is that C&V was substantially successful overall as regards its claims in relation to both Buildings B and C. In those circumstances, this Court ordered that it was entitled to the whole of its costs below up to 21 September 2022, being the date of the primary judge's orders as to costs.