[2024] WASC 90
General information, not legal advice.
Supreme Court of WA
2024-03-25
Howard J
Original judgment source is linked above.
...
[3] ... monies had and received being: A DEBT OWING TO THE PLAINTIFF.
(a) The amount of $715,680 paid to the defendant in or about September to October 2006 for headwork charges and which were in whole, or alternatively in part, overcharges to which the defendant was and is not entitled;
(b) The amount of $3,000,000 relating to a LAND SERVICING BOND AGREEMENT STANDARD and a WATER CORPORATION LAND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (LDA) SIGNED ON THE 20th September 2006
(c) On or about 20th January 2008 the defendant wrongly drew down the $3,000,000 and has refused to repay in whole or in part. (emphasis in the original)
Summary judgment will be granted only when there is no real question to be tried. The power to order summary judgment is one that should be exercised with great care. It is only in the clearest of cases, when there is a high degree of certainty about the ultimate outcome of the proceedings if it went to trial, that summary judgment ought properly be granted. (case citations omitted)
Under the Limitation Act 2005, it is clear that every cause of action, even an equitable one, is subject to some limitation period.
That contractual and fiduciary relationships may co-exist between the same parties has never been doubted. Indeed, the existence of a basic contractual relationship has in many situations provided a foundation for the erection of a fiduciary relationship. In these situations it is the contractual foundation which is all important because it is the contract that regulates the basic rights and liabilities of the parties. The fiduciary relationship, if it is to exist at all, must accommodate itself to the terms of the contract so that it is consistent with, and conforms to, them. The fiduciary relationship cannot be superimposed upon the contract in such a way as to alter the operation which the contract intended to have according to its true construction.[9]
...
The defendant has breached its Fiduciary Obligations CONTINUOUSLY (ERA FOI evidence)
[1] I am relying on the Plaintiff's Breach of Fiduciary Obligations in these proceeding and new evidence that was obtained through FOI 'inter alia' between 2000 and 2003
...
[8] The Defendant caused Damage and Loss by withholding the water well licence GWL 63819-2, seen at annexure of NJD-17 of this document, (which is also new evidence coming from FOI DWER) issued to NILGIN Service Company SPECIFICALLY to supply Stage 2 land subdivision with water and lied about its existence. JDA report p3@25 refers to document 12A (emphases in the original)
(a) the amount of $686,400 paid to the defendant in or about September to October 2006 for headwork charges and which were in whole, or alternatively in part, overcharges to which the defendant was and is not entitled; and
(b) the amount of $3,000,000 relating to a Customer Constructed Works Agreement of on or about 3 March 2006 and a Land Servicing Bond Agreement of on or about 20 September 2006 which the defendant wrongly drew upon and has refused to repay in whole or part.
I certify that the preceding paragraph(s) comprise the reasons for decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
[1] See Neil James Duckworth ATF The Ocean Farm Trust v Water Corporation CIV 3066 of 2010; Karl James Duckworth & Ors v Water Corporation CIV 1795 of 2013.
[2] The CCWA is TJD-2 at page 11 of the affidavit of Mr Donisi made 10 August 2023.
[3] The Bond Agreement is TJD-3 at page 30 of the affidavit of Mr Donisi made 10 August 2023.
[4] TJD-4, pages 37 - 38 to the affidavit of Mr Donisi made 10 August 2023.
[5] TJD‑ 4, Page 38 to the affidavit of Mr Donisi made 10 August 2023.
[7] TJD-5, page 39 to the affidavit of Mr Donisi made 10 August 2023.
[8] See also Pisano v South Metropolitan Health Service [2023] WASCA 80 [52].
[9] See also John Alexander's Clubs Pty Ltd v White City Tennis Club Ltd [2010] HCA 19; (2010) 241 CLR 1 [91]: (French CJ, Gummow, Hayne, Heydon and Kiefel JJ).
[10] That may be a typographical error and the name of the company may be 'Nilgen' which is the place name around the land development.
[11] Page 10 of the plaintiff's Supplementary Affidavit filed 10 October 2023.
[12] Page 11 of the plaintiff's Supplementary Affidavit filed 10 October 2023.
[13] Page 12 of the plaintiff's Supplementary Affidavit filed 10 October 2023.
[14] Page 13 of the plaintiff's Supplementary Affidavit filed 10 October 2023.
[15] Page 13 of the plaintiff's Supplementary Affidavit filed 10 October 2023.
(1992) 175 CLR 514
(2010) 241 CLR 1
(1984) 156 CLR 41