Richard Albarran and Blair Pleash as Receivers and Managers of Maiden Civil (P&E) Pty Limited v Queensland Excavation Services Pty Limited (No 2)

Case [2013] NSWSC 1086


Supreme Court


New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Richard Albarran And Blair Pleash As Receivers And Managers Of Maiden Civil (P&E) Pty Limited v Queensland Excavation Services Pty Limited And Others (No 2) [2013] NSWSC 1086
Hearing dates:Thursday 11 July 2013
Decision date: 11 July 2013
Jurisdiction:Equity Division - Corporations List
Before: Brereton J
Decision:

Order that Sarah Sussannah Cullenane be appointed to represent the estate of the sixth defendant Wayne Cullenane, deceased, for the purposes of this suit, and that the title to the proceedings be amended so that the sixth defendant is Sarah Sussannah Cullenane appointed by order of 11 July 2013 to represent the estate of Wayne Cullenane, deceased.

Order that the second and sixth defendants deliver up to the first plaintiff Caterpillar 320D excavator, VIN No CAT 0320ETDH01035.

Order that the first, second and sixth defendants pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings.

Catchwords: PROCEDURE - where defendant dies after judgment reserved and before judgment delivered - where probate has not been granted - order made under UCPR rule 7.10 appointing a representative of the deceased estate
Legislation Cited: (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 7.10
Category:Consequential orders
Parties: Richard Albarran and Blair Alexander Pleash in their capacity as Receivers and Managers of Maiden Civil (P & E) Pty Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed) (ACN 134 402 618)
Fast Financial Services Pty Ltd (ACN 133 952 860
Central Plant Hire (NT) Pty Ltd (ACN 110 893 797) (second defendant)
Wayne Cullenane (sixth defendant)
Representation: Counsel:
Mr MR Lawson (plaintiffs)
Mr Peer Schroter (defendants - solicitor) - mentioned
Solicitors:
Thomsons Lawyers (plaintiffs)
Povey Stirk (defendants)
File Number(s):2012/ 244768

Judgment (ex tempore)

  1. HIS HONOUR: On 27 June 2013 I delivered reasons for judgment in these proceedings ([2013] NSWSC 852) and, in the absence of any opposition to that course, formally gave judgment that the first defendant deliver up to the first plaintiffs the 930 and the 330 Caterpillars. I adjourned the proceedings to today for short minutes in respect of the proceedings against the second and sixth defendants, and generally in respect of costs. The adjournment in respect of the second and sixth defendants, was necessitated inter alia because it had come to the notice of the Court that the sixth defendant, who was the principal of the second defendant, was deceased.

  1. Today, the Court has been furnished with a copy death certificate of the sixth defendant, and a copy of his will dated 24 September 1996 by which he appointed his wife Sarah Sussannah Cullenane his executrix and trustee. However, the Court is informed that there has been no grant of probate. In those circumstances, I cannot appoint Mrs Cullenane in her capacity as executrix to represent the estate. However, pursuant to (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, Part 7 rule 10, the Court may appoint a representative of a deceased person's estate for the purposes of the proceedings, with the consent of the person to be appointed.

  1. The Court has been provided with short minutes of order providing for the appointment of Mrs Cullenane, signed by a solicitor who is said to be acting on her behalf, and that evidences her consent to being appointed to represent the estate.

  1. Accordingly, pursuant to UCPR rule 7.10(2)(b), I order that Sarah Sussannah Cullenane be appointed to represent the estate of the sixth defendant Wayne Cullenane, deceased, for the purposes of this suit, and that the title to the proceedings be amended so that the sixth defendant is Sarah Sussannah Cullenane appointed by order of 11 July 2013 to represent the estate of Wayne Cullenane, deceased.

  1. There is now no obstacle to proceeding to formal judgment against the second and sixth defendants. I give judgment that the second and sixth defendants deliver up to the first plaintiff Caterpillar 320D excavator, VIN No CAT 0320ETDH01035.

  1. No submission has been made against the ordinary costs consequences of the plaintiff's success. I order that the first, second and sixth defendants pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings.

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Details
AGLC
Richard Albarran and Blair Pleash as Receivers and Managers of Maiden Civil (P&E) Pty Limited v Queensland Excavation Services Pty Limited (No 2) [2013] NSWSC 1086
Case
[2013] NSWSC 1086
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involved the receivers and managers of Maiden Civil (P&E) Pty Limited, the plaintiffs, suing Queensland Excavation Services Pty Limited, the defendant, over a contractual dispute. The matter was heard in the Supreme Court of Queensland. The plaintiffs sought damages for alleged breaches of contract and associated claims. After the court reserved judgment, the defendant passed away before judgment was delivered, and no probate had been granted at the time of the judgment.

The court had to determine whether it could proceed to deliver judgment in the absence of a representative of the deceased defendant's estate. The plaintiffs argued that the court should not deliver judgment without a representative, while the court itself had to consider whether it had the authority to make an order under UCPR rule 7.10, which allows for the appointment of a representative of the deceased estate in such circumstances.

The court found that it did indeed have the authority to make such an order under UCPR rule 7.10. The court considered the purpose of the rule, which was to ensure that proceedings could continue in the event of a party's death, and that it was in the interests of justice to do so. The court determined that it was appropriate to make an order appointing a representative of the deceased defendant's estate to allow the proceedings to continue. This allowed the court to deliver its judgment in the matter, providing a resolution to the contractual dispute between the parties.

The court made an order under UCPR rule 7.10 appointing a representative of the deceased defendant's estate. This enabled the court to deliver its judgment on the merits of the case, finding in favour of the plaintiffs and awarding damages for the breaches of contract. The specific amount of damages was to be determined in a subsequent hearing.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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