Evans v Marmont

In *Evans v Marmont*, the New South Wales Court of Appeal considered a dispute between the appellant, Evans, and the respondent, Marmont, concerning the enforceability of a contract.

The central legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether a contract for the sale of land, which was alleged to have been entered into orally, was sufficiently evidenced in writing to satisfy the requirements of section 54A of the *Conveyancing Act 1919* (NSW). This involved determining whether the oral agreement, if it existed, could be characterised as a contract for the sale or disposition of an interest in land, and if so, whether any subsequent documentation constituted a sufficient note or memorandum of that agreement.

The Court analysed the principles governing the application of section 54A, particularly in circumstances where an oral agreement is alleged. It considered the nature of the evidence required to establish a concluded oral agreement and the criteria for a document to be considered a sufficient note or memorandum, including the requirement that it must contain all the essential terms of the contract and be signed by the party to be charged or their authorised agent. The Court examined the correspondence between the parties to ascertain if it met these requirements.

The Court of Appeal found that there was no concluded oral agreement for the sale of land, and therefore, the requirements of section 54A of the *Conveyancing Act 1919* were not met. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed.