Winslow Constructors v Head, Transport for Victoria

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT MELBOURNE
COMMERCIAL COURT
ARBITRATION LIST

S ECI 2020 02720

WINSLOW CONSTRUCTORS PTY LTD (ACN 006 581 764)	Applicant
v
HEAD, TRANSPORT FOR VICTORIA (ABN 97 481 088 949)	Respondent

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JUDGE:	RIORDAN J
WHERE HELD:	Melbourne
DATES OF HEARING:	21 and 22 September 2020
DATE OF JUDGMENT:	2 December 2020
CASE MAY BE CITED AS:	Winslow Constructors v Head, Transport for Victoria
MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:	[2020] VSC 790

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ARBITRATION – Application to enforce awards – Whether award stated reasons on which it was based as required by s 31(3) of the Commercial Arbitration Act 2011 (Vic) (‘the Act’) – Nature of the obligation with respect to reasons imposed by the Act considered.

ARBITRATION – Waiver – Elements of waiver under s 4 of the Act considered – Whether conduct constituting waiver must precede the challenged award – Whether party waived objection to alleged inadequacy of reasons in award by failing to object until after further awards relating to costs and other matters.

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APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
For the Applicant	Mr H Foxcroft QC with Mr T J Mullen	Giannakopoulos Solicitors
For the Respondent	Mr M R Scott QC with Ms E Levine	Maddocks

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Background......................................................................................................................................... 1

The Contract........................................................................................................................................ 8

Relevant statutory provisions........................................................................................................ 11

Issues for determination................................................................................................................. 15

What obligation with respect to reasons is imposed by s 31(3) of the Act?.......................... 15

Submissions................................................................................................................................. 15

The Department’s submissions....................................................................................... 15

Winslow’s submissions..................................................................................................... 16

Conclusion.................................................................................................................................... 17

Does the Second Award state the reasons upon which it is based as required by s 31(3) of the Act?........................................................................................................................................................ 20

Summary of the relevant parts of the Second Award........................................................... 20

Claims for EOTs during periods of adverse weather, suspensions and shutdowns.......... 26

Submissions................................................................................................................................. 29

The Department’s submissions....................................................................................... 29

Winslow’s submissions..................................................................................................... 30

Consideration.............................................................................................................................. 31

Conclusion on individual EOTs and Variation No. 6............................................................... 32

Has the Department waived its right to object under s 4 of the Act?.................................... 33

Submissions................................................................................................................................. 34

Winslow’s submissions..................................................................................................... 34

The Department’s submissions....................................................................................... 36

Conclusion.................................................................................................................................... 37

The parties may derogate from s 31(3) of the Act......................................................... 37

The Department knew of the alleged non-compliance................................................ 38

The Department unduly delayed in stating its objection............................................ 38

Orders................................................................................................................................................. 41

Annexure A....................................................................................................................................... 42

Window 4........................................................................................................................................... 42

EOT 9............................................................................................................................................. 42

EOT 13........................................................................................................................................... 44

EOT 14........................................................................................................................................... 45

EOT 15........................................................................................................................................... 46

EOT 16........................................................................................................................................... 47

EOT 18........................................................................................................................................... 49

EOT 19........................................................................................................................................... 50

EOT 20........................................................................................................................................... 51

EOT 21........................................................................................................................................... 52

EOT 28........................................................................................................................................... 53

EOT 33........................................................................................................................................... 55

EOT 34........................................................................................................................................... 56

Window 5......................................................................................................................................... 57

EOT 22........................................................................................................................................... 57

EOT 26........................................................................................................................................... 58

Window 6......................................................................................................................................... 59

EOT 27........................................................................................................................................... 59

EOT 29........................................................................................................................................... 61

EOT 35........................................................................................................................................... 62

Variation No. 6.................................................................................................................................. 62

HIS HONOUR:

1. By originating application to enforce an award filed 26 June 2020, the applicant (‘Winslow’)[1] seeks:

   [1]On occasion the initials ‘WC’ appear in quotations. For the avoidance of doubt, WC is a reference to Winslow.

1.an order under section 35 of the Commercial Arbitration Act 2011 that the following awards be enforced:

(a)the Second Partial Final Award dated 7 April 2020, further or alternatively, the Third Partial Final…