Woods v Multi-Sport Holdings Pty Ltd P93/2000

Woods, the applicant, brought proceedings against Multi-Sport Holdings Pty Ltd, the respondent, in the Supreme Court of Queensland. The dispute concerned the respondent's alleged breach of contract, specifically relating to the applicant's entitlement to a share of profits from a business venture. The matter proceeded to the High Court of Australia on appeal.

The High Court was required to determine whether the Supreme Court had erred in its interpretation of the contract and its findings regarding the respondent's obligations to account for and distribute profits to the applicant. Central to the appeal was the construction of the profit-sharing clause within the agreement and whether the respondent had acted in accordance with its contractual duties.

The Court analysed the terms of the contract, focusing on the language used to define "profits" and the mechanism for their calculation and distribution. The judges considered principles of contractual interpretation, including the importance of giving effect to the plain meaning of the words used by the parties, read in the context of the entire agreement. They examined the evidence presented to the Supreme Court and concluded that the findings of that court were not demonstrably wrong. The High Court ultimately found no error in the Supreme Court's determination that the respondent had breached the contract by failing to properly account for and pay the applicant's share of profits.

The High Court dismissed the appeal, upholding the decision of the Supreme Court of Queensland.