Morice v Vorhauer

In *Morice v Vorhauer* [1989] NSWCA 149, the New South Wales Court of Appeal considered a dispute between a vendor and a purchaser concerning a contract for the sale of land. The purchaser sought to terminate the contract, alleging that the vendor had failed to comply with a condition precedent.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether the vendor's conduct constituted a breach of the contract, specifically in relation to the purchaser's right to terminate. The Court had to determine if the vendor had taken all reasonable steps to fulfil the condition precedent, and if not, whether the purchaser was entitled to rescind the contract.

The Court of Appeal found that the vendor had not taken all reasonable steps to satisfy the condition precedent within the stipulated timeframe. Applying principles of contract law, particularly concerning conditions precedent and the implied duty of cooperation, the Court held that the vendor's inaction amounted to a breach. Consequently, the purchaser was entitled to terminate the contract. The appeal was dismissed.