Sullivan v Greyfriars Pty Ltd

[2014] VSC 422

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT MELBOURNE

COMMON LAW DIVISION

S CI 2013  4912

ANTHONY SULLIVAN	Appellant
- and -
GREYFRIARS PTY LTD (ACN 004 272 931)	Respondent

---

JUDGE:	Lansdowne AsJ
WHERE HELD:	Melbourne
DATE OF HEARING:	24 January 2014; further affidavits filed till 10 February 2014
DATE OF JUDGMENT:	8 September 2014
CASE MAY BE CITED AS:	Sullivan v Greyfriars Pty Ltd

MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION: [2014] VSC 422 Revision No. 1, 16 September 2014

---

APPEAL FROM THE MAGISTRATES’ COURT – summary dismissal of counterclaim– counterclaim sought damages, and to invoke aspects of the criminal law, corporations law and the Charter – no cause of action within the jurisdiction of the Magistrates’ Court shown in the counterclaim – no error of law shown in summary dismissal of it – appeal dismissed -
Magistrates’ Court Act 1989 s109.

---

APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
For the Appellant	In person
For the Respondent	Mr T. Sowden	Nicholas O’Donohue & Co Lawyers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 1

Facts and history of proceedings between the parties................................................................ 2

The appellant’s counterclaim........................................................................................................... 6

Hearing and determination by the Magistrates’ Court............................................................... 7

Issues on appeal to this Court........................................................................................................ 13

Discussion.......................................................................................................................................... 16

Claim for damages...................................................................................................................... 16

Charter.......................................................................................................................................... 19

Structured oppression................................................................................................................ 20

Various prohibitions under the ASIC Act and Corporations Act........................................ 22

Various alleged criminal offences............................................................................................ 23

Land not shares........................................................................................................................... 24

Restriction to the counterclaim amount and denial of a right to a jury.............................. 25

Culpable management............................................................................................................... 25

Forced signing............................................................................................................................. 26

Inconsistent rules/non-disclosure of the requirement for approval of a sale................... 29

False accounting.......................................................................................................................... 29

Constitution................................................................................................................................. 30

Harassment/invasion of privacy/stalking/victimisation................................................... 30

Forced eviction/servitude/blackmail/harassment and coercion...................................... 31

Invalid claim for legal fees........................................................................................................ 31

Lack of notice of the meeting at which special levies were imposed................................. 31

Interest.......................................................................................................................................... 32

Defamation................................................................................................................................... 33

Claims made in written reply................................................................................................... 33

Conclusion......................................................................................................................................... 35

HER HONOUR:

Introduction

1. This proceeding is an appeal from an order of the Magistrates’ Court constituted by Judicial Registrar J. Maclean on 23 August 2013[1].  The Registrar found that the appellant is the owner of shares in a company title block of units owned by the respondent.  The shares entitle him to occupation of Flat 36, which is located within a block of 43 units at 53 Balaclava Road, East St Kilda.  The respondent’s claim in the Magistrates Court by the time of hearing concerned only outstanding maintenance and special levies.  By her order, Judicial Registrar Maclean ordered the appellant to pay the respondent the sum of $9,712.30 for those levies together with interest in the sum of $3,955.48 and dismissed the appellant’s counterclaim.  She dismissed the counterclaim summarily, giving short reasons for doing so.

   [1]Her Honour is referred to as “Registrar” in the transcript below and for that reason that is how I refer to her in these reasons.  Counsel for the respondent informed this Court after delivery of this judgment that she is in fact a Magistrate.

1. The appellant conceded before the Magistrates’ Court that he had not paid the levies, but contended he should not…