Charles Blackman v Peter Gant

[2010] VSC 229

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT MELBOURNE

COMMON LAW DIVISION

No. 9785 of 2008

CHARLES RAYMOND BLACKMAN AND ORS	Plaintiffs
v
PETER GANT AND ANOR	Defendants

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JUDGE:	VICKERY J
WHERE HELD:	MELBOURNE
DATES OF HEARING:	23, 24, 25, 29, 30 MARCH 2010
DATE OF JUDGMENT:	1 JUNE 2010
CASE MAY BE CITED AS:	CHARLES BLACKMAN AND ORS v PETER GANT AND ANOR
MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:	[2010] VSC 229

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TRADE PRACTICES – Misleading or Deceptive Conduct – Breach of s.9 Fair Trading Act 1999 - Art works found to be forgeries - Representations as to authenticity of art works through valuations given – Representation as to authenticity of an art work by sale of the work - Representations misleading and deceptive in trade or commerce – Relief – Declaration that art works are forgeries

INJUNCTION – Statutory negative injunction restraining sale of the forged art works – s.149 Fair Trading Act 1999 – Plaintiffs not parties to initial representation - Standing to seek injunction – s.80(1) Trade Practices Act 1974 compared – Scope and meaning of “any person”- Whether sufficient nexus between conduct and injunction sought to confer jurisdiction on the court - Whether the court has power to grant – Discretion to grant injunction – Injunction refused as found unnecessary due to alternative relief granted

INJUNCTION – Statutory mandatory injunction for delivery up and destruction of the forged art works – s.149A(3)(f) Fair Trading Act 1999 – Plaintiffs not parties to initial representation - Standing to be granted injunction – s.80(1) Trade Practices Act 1974 compared – Scope and meaning of “any person” – Whether sufficient nexus between conduct and injunction sought to confer jurisdiction on the court - Whether the court has power to grant - Discretion of the court – Injunction granted

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APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
For the Plaintiffs	Mr C. Golvan SC Mr D. Crennan	Heydon & O’Loghlen
For the First Defendant	No appearance	No appearance
For Second Defendant	Mr A.T. Schlicht	Russell Kennedy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BACKGROUND................................................................................................................................. 1

The Artists................................................................................................................................. 2
The Artworks in Issue................................................................................................................ 4
The Conduct of the Defendants................................................................................................. 7
Evidence of Walter Granek...................................................................................................... 11
Refund Paid to Blanche............................................................................................................ 13
The Case of the Plaintiffs......................................................................................................... 13

THE ALLEGED BLACKMAN ARTWORKS............................................................................. 15

Evidence of  Geoffrey Smith..................................................................................................... 15
Evidence of Associate Professor Sloggett................................................................................. 18
Evidence of Felicity St John Moore.......................................................................................... 25

THE ALLEGED DICKERSON ARTWORK............................................................................... 27

Evidence of Dickerson.............................................................................................................. 27
Evidence of Stephen Nall......................................................................................................... 29
Evidence of Associate Professor Robyn Sloggett..................................................................... 30

FINDINGS AS TO AUTHENTICITY.......................................................................................... 30

Evidence of Stuart Purves....................................................................................................... 32
Evidence of Stephen Nall......................................................................................................... 33
Evidence of Tom Lowenstein................................................................................................... 33
The Evidence of Dickerson....................................................................................................... 34

FINDINGS AS TO THE IMPACT OF FAKE WORKS ON THE ART MARKET............... 35

FINDING AS TO CONDUCT OF THE SECOND DEFENDANT......................................... 36

RELIEF................................................................................................................................................ 40

Declaration............................................................................................................................... 40
Damages................................................................................................................................... 42
The Provision of an Affidavit................................................................................................... 43
Injunctions............................................................................................................................... 43
Operation of Sections 149 and 149A Fair Trading Act.......................................................... 46
Actual or Alleged (future) Contraventions Relied Upon........................................................ 52
Whether Sufficient Nexus Between Conduct and the Injunction Sought............................... 54