Kriletich v Dee Why Projects Pty Limited (No. 2)

Link copied
Case Copied 21 min read

Administrative Decisions Tribunal


New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Kriletich v Dee Why Projects Pty Limited (No. 2) [2011] NSWADT 255
Hearing dates:10 August 2011
Decision date: 08 November 2011
Jurisdiction:Retail Leases Division
Before: S Higgins, Deputy President
Decision:

The respondent's application for costs is dismissed.

Catchwords: Costs - unsuccessful retail tenancy and unconscionable conduct claim - whether it is fair to award costs to the successful party - indemnity costs
Legislation Cited: Administrative Decisions Tribunal Act 1997
Privacy and Personal information Act 1998
Retail Leases Act 1994
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 (Vic)
Cases Cited: AT v Commissioner of Police, NSW [2010] NSWCA 131
Calderbank v Calderbank [1975] 2 All ER 333
De Costi Seafoods (Franchises) Pty Ltd v Broadway Shopping Centre Sydney Pty Ltd [2011] NSWADT 40
Denis Corporation Pty Ltd v Casey CC (Red Dot) [208] VCAT 691
Kriletich v Dee Why Projects Pty Ltd [2011] NSWADT 109
Profilio v Coogee Bay Village Pty Ltd (No. 4) [2011] NSWADT 64
Category:Costs
Parties: Nick Kriletich (Applicant)
Dee Why Projects Pty Limited ACN 126 740 181 (Respondent)
Representation: Counsel
D H Mitchell (Respondent)
B Gelonesi (Applicant)
Mallesons Stephen Jaques Solicitors (Respondent)
File Number(s):105108

REasons for decision

  1. RETAIL LEASES ACT (S Higgins, Deputy President): On 19 May 2011, the applicant's retail tenancy and unconscionable conduct claim was dismissed: see Kriletich v Dee Why Projects Pty Ltd [2011] NSWADT 109 ( Kriletich ). In accordance with the orders that were made, the respondent has pressed its application for an order that the applicant pay its costs in regard to these proceedings. The respondent also seeks costs on an indemnity basis.

  1. The background to this application is that at all relevant times, the respondent was the owner and developer of the Dee Why Grand Plaza at 834 Pittwater Road, Dee Why (the Plaza). In June 2009, the applicant entered into an agreement with the respondent to lease shop 32A of Plaza. The agreed use of the premises was the 'sale of coffee, gelato juice, pre-packaged beverages, focaccias, and the provision of short order caf menu'. The applicant commenced trading from the premises on 29 July 2010.

  1. On 30 August 2010, the respondent sold the Plaza to Dee Why Grand Shopping Centre Pty Ltd (the new lessor).

  1. The dispute between the parties arose prior to the applicant commencing to trade from the premises. It centred on the respondent's alleged failure to provide a mechanical exhaust system for shop 32A. The applicant contended that he had entered the agreement to lease in reliance of a statement made in the respondent's ' Tenancy Fit-out Manual '. That statement the applicant contended was a representation that the respondent would provide a mechanical exhaust system to all food shops, including shop 32A.

  1. The Tribunal found that the statement of the respondent was a representation as alleged and that it was misleading or false: see Kriletich at [38]. However, the Tribunal found that as the representation was as to a future matter,…

CaseChat AU logo

Keep reading for free

Create a free CaseChat account to read Kriletich v Dee Why Projects Pty Limited (No. 2) and more:

  • Read every judgment in full
  • Ask AI and get answers linked to paragraphs
  • See how each paragraph was cited in later cases
  • Download judgments as PDF or Word
Continue with Google

One click creates your free account or signs you in.

By continuing you agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Details
Case
[2011] NSWADT 255
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the case of Kriletich v Dee Why Projects Pty Limited (No. 2), the dispute revolved around an unsuccessful retail tenancy claim and a claim for unconscionable conduct. The respondent, Dee Why Projects Pty Limited, sought an order for costs, including indemnity costs, from the unsuccessful party, Kriletich. The matter was heard in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether it was fair and just to award costs to the successful party, Dee Why Projects Pty Limited, despite the fact that the claims brought by Kriletich were unsuccessful. Specifically, the court considered whether the unsuccessful party's claims were frivolous, vexatious, or made in bad faith, which would warrant an award of indemnity costs.

In its judgment, the court held that the claims brought by Kriletich were not frivolous, vexatious, or made in bad faith. The court noted that there were arguable grounds for the claims, and that the issues raised were complex. As a result, the court found that it was not fair and just to award costs, including indemnity costs, to Dee Why Projects Pty Limited. The court emphasised the importance of the principle that costs should not be awarded as a punitive measure or to deter others from pursuing legitimate claims.

The respondent's application for costs was dismissed. The court's decision highlights the principle that courts should be cautious when considering costs orders against parties who bring genuine claims, even if those claims are ultimately unsuccessful. The court's judgment serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting parties from punitive costs orders that could deter them from pursuing legitimate legal action.

Orders

Orders of the court

The respondent's application for costs is dismissed.

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.