Keating v Dickson

In *Keating v Dickson*, the New South Wales Court of Appeal considered a dispute between the appellant, Mr Keating, and the respondent, Mr Dickson, concerning the enforceability of a deed. The deed in question was entered into by the parties in relation to a property development.

The primary legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether the deed was void for uncertainty. Specifically, the Court had to determine if the terms of the deed were sufficiently clear and precise to be legally binding, or if they were so vague as to render the agreement unenforceable.

The Court of Appeal found that the deed was void for uncertainty. It reasoned that the essential terms of the agreement, particularly those relating to the scope of the development and the financial arrangements, were not defined with sufficient clarity. The Court applied the principle that for a contract to be enforceable, its essential terms must be agreed upon with a reasonable degree of certainty. As the deed failed to meet this standard, it could not be upheld.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and set aside the deed.