[2025] WASCA 80
General information, not legal advice.
Court of Appeal (WA)
2025-05-23
Mitchell JA
Original judgment source is linked above.
I say that Mortgage E313667, being annexure JDP6 at pages 67 to 70 is not a true copy of the Mortgage E313667 on file at Landgate, Annexed hereto and marked 'KESJ3'. There are material differences between both documents.
(a) $789,352.35 plus interest from 16 January 2025 until payment in accordance with and at the rates provided by the [Letter of Offer]; and
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> (b) $118,500.70 plus interest from 16 January 2025 until payment in accordance with and at the rates provided by the [Letter of Offer].
(f) to strike out any ground of appeal that does not have a reasonable prospect of succeeding or does not comply with these rules or any order made under them;
(g) to dismiss the appeal if:
(i) none of the grounds of appeal has a reasonable prospect of succeeding[.]
The affidavit of the first appellant sworn 23 May 2025
Grounds 1 and 2 - the challenge to the findings concerning the Letter of Offer
No instrument until registered in manner herein provided shall be effectual to pass any estate or interest in any land under the operation of this Act or to render such land liable to any mortgage or charge or to make any dealing in respect of Crown land effective, as the case requires; but upon such registration the estate or interest comprised in the instrument shall pass or as the case may be the land shall become liable in manner and subject to the covenants and conditions set forth and specified in the instrument or by this Act declared to be implied in instruments of a like nature, or the dealing in respect of Crown land is made effective, as the case required.
The Letter of Offer is a loan agreement. It is not a mortgage or an instrument by which any estate or interest in land is passed, or one to which s 58 of the TLA applies and is not required to be registered with Landgate [77].
NAB offers to make available to you each Facility on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.
Grounds 3 and 4 - the challenge to the findings concerning the Mortgage
There is no evidence to support the [appellants'] submission to the effect that the signatures on the Mortgage are not the [appellants'], and no reason to doubt Mr Pontifex's evidence to the effect that a true copy of the Mortgage is attached to the First Pontifex Affidavit [ie the affidavit sworn 16 November 2023] [81].
I am satisfied that the Mortgage is properly registered in compliance with s 58 of the TLA and is valid and enforceable [84].
(a) Lot 8669 on deposited plan 201627 (the land described in certificate of title volume 1986 folio 76) (see annexure 'JDP‑4'); and
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> (b) Lot 8678 on deposited plan 201627 (the land described in certificate of title volume 1986 folio 78) (see annexure 'JDP‑5').
Grounds 5 and 6 - the challenge to the findings as to whether the Mortgage secures the Facilities
Despite the [appellants'] submissions to the contrary, I am satisfied that the Mortgage secures the Facilities. The [appellants'] argument to the effect that neither the Business Loan nor the Overdraft specify any additional security in the 'Facility Specific Security' section that relates to each facility, is without merit. The Mortgage is clearly the 'Security' described in the 'Other Details', as set out above [45].
As to the first of the allegations relating to the Letter of Offer, as stated earlier in these reasons, the [appellants'] argument to the effect that the Letter of Offer does not specify any additional security under 'Facility Specific Security' for each facility, is without merit. The Mortgage is clearly the 'Security' described in the 'Other Details' section of the Letter of Offer [75].
I certify that the preceding paragraph(s) comprise the reasons for decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
[1] These reasons adopt the defined terms and abbreviations in the primary reasons.
[2] National Australia Bank Limited v Jackson [2025] WASC 8.
[3] In de Braekt v Legal Profession Complaints Committee [2016] WASCA 220 [47].
[4] Samuels v The State of Western Australia [2005] WASCA 193; (2005) 30 WAR 473 [56].
[5] Farrant v Westpac Banking Corporation [2024] WASCA 157 [19].
(2005) 30 WAR 473