Nidamon Pty Ltd v Wayland

Nidamon Pty Ltd and another party (the appellants) appealed to the New South Wales Court of Appeal against a decision of the Supreme Court of New South Wales concerning a dispute over a contract for the sale of land. The respondents were the purchasers under that contract.

The primary legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether the purchasers had validly terminated the contract for sale due to the vendors' alleged breach of a condition precedent. Specifically, the court had to determine if the vendors had failed to take all reasonable steps to obtain a necessary planning approval by the stipulated date, thereby entitling the purchasers to terminate the agreement.

The Court of Appeal considered the nature of the obligation to take all reasonable steps, finding that it required the vendors to act diligently and in good faith. The court examined the evidence presented regarding the steps taken by the vendors to secure the planning approval, including their engagement with the relevant authorities and their efforts to address any concerns raised. Ultimately, the court concluded that the vendors had, on the facts, taken all reasonable steps as required by the contract, and therefore, their actions did not constitute a breach that would entitle the purchasers to terminate. The appeal was allowed, and the orders of the Supreme Court were set aside.