Laminex (Aust) Pty Limited v Coe Manufacturing Co & 2 Ors

Laminex (Aust) Pty Limited appealed to the New South Wales Court of Appeal against orders made by James J in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The dispute concerned a contract for the supply of goods between Laminex and Coe Manufacturing Co and two other respondents.

The primary legal issue before the Court of Appeal was the determination of the proper law of the contract, particularly in light of potential conflicts of law. This determination was crucial for the application of relevant substantive law, including provisions of the Trade Practices Act. The court also considered the application of Supreme Court Rules, specifically part 10, rule 2, which likely related to the procedural aspects of determining the proper law or jurisdiction.

The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal in part, altering one of the orders made by James J. The alteration specifically added a condition to the existing orders, requiring the defendants to permit the claims made by the plaintiffs in paragraphs 23-37 of their statement of claim to be tried on their merits. The appeal was otherwise dismissed, and the appellants were ordered to pay the respondents' costs.