CONTRACT – construction – whether the Court can have regard to prior negotiations which indicate parties’ subjective intention in construing contract – implied terms – whether term is necessary for business efficacy or so obvious that it goes without saying – whether term is to be implied into the contract.
CONTRACT – repudiation – whether party has indicated a refusal to perform the contract – whether acceptance of repudiation was communicated to the promisor.
CORPORATIONS – management and administration – duties and liabilities of officers of corporation – claim for breach of statutory duties under Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 180, 181, 182 and 183 – duty of care and diligence – duty to act in good faith in the company's best interests – duty to not improperly use position to gain advantage or cause detriment to company – duty to avoid improper use of information – where several expenses not apportioned between group companies in inter-company loan account – whether expenses paid by company in breach of duty – whether conduct of Defendants amounted to breach of statutory duties.
EQUITY – general principles – fiduciary obligations – where business venture has been consensually terminated – whether parties to venture owe fiduciary duties to one another – where several expenses not apportioned between group companies in inter-company loan account – whether expenses paid by company in breach of duty – whether director of company breached no conflict and no profit duties – whether director of company breached best interests and proper purposes duties – whether director of company breached equitable duty of confidentiality.
TRADE PRACTICES – application of Restraints of Trade Act 1976 (NSW) s 4 – where contractual restraint of trade in broad terms – whether restraint of trade is void for breach of public policy.
TRADE PRACTICES – misleading or deceptive conduct claim under s 18 of the Australian Consumer Law – whether representations made are misleading or deceptive – whether representations among directors of a company are made in trade or commerce.
Jennifer Mee was one of the counsel representing the Defendants.
Reasons for the decision can be found here.