Aquatec-Maxcon Pty Ltd v Barwon Region Water Authority (No 4)

Aquatec-Maxcon Pty Ltd, the respondent, sought a net amount due on a successful claim and counterclaim against the Barwon Region Water Authority, the appellant. The matter was heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria. The appellant challenged the order for a single judgment, arguing that the Court should have made separate judgments for the net amount due on the successful claim and the successful counterclaim. The appellant also contested the order for costs.

The Court examined whether it should have made separate judgments for the net amount due on the successful claim and the successful counterclaim. The Court noted that the parties had agreed to a single judgment, and there was no compelling reason to depart from that agreement. The Court also considered the appellant's argument that the order for costs was excessive. The Court found that the order for costs was reasonable and in accordance with the established principles of costs in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

The Court dismissed the appeal, holding that the order for a single judgment was appropriate, and the order for costs was reasonable. The Court found that there was no error in the trial judge's approach to the judgment and costs. The Court emphasised the importance of the parties' agreement to a single judgment and the trial judge's consideration of the principles of costs in making the order. The Court also noted that the appellant had not demonstrated any error in the calculation of the net amount due.