Workplace Safety Australia Pty Ltd v Simple OHS Solutions Pty Ltd

[2015] NSWCA 84

Court of Appeal

Supreme Court

New South Wales

• Summary available
• Amendment notes

Medium Neutral Citation:

Workplace Safety Australia v Simple OHS Solutions Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 84

Hearing dates:

15 October 2014

Decision date:

08 April 2015

Before:

Bathurst CJ at [1]; Basten JA at [174]; Emmett JA at [175]

Decision:

1.Appeal dismissed
2.Appellant to pay the respondents’ costs of the appeal.

Catchwords:

TRADE AND COMMERCE – whether agreement is a franchise agreement subject to the Franchising Code of Conduct – whether franchisor has granted franchisee the right to carry on the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services – whether business is to be carried on under a system or marketing plan – whether system or marketing plan is substantially controlled by franchisor

CONTRACT – termination – breach - whether time is of the essence for payment of an instalment

EQUITY – estoppel – promissory estoppel – representation - requirement for representation to be clear and unequivocal - whether conduct is reasonably capable of giving rise to a representation

DAMAGES – breach of s 51AD of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)

Legislation Cited:

Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)
Trade Practices (Industry Codes – Franchising) Regulations 1998 (Cth), Schedule – Franchising Code of Conduct

Cases Cited:

Akron Securities Ltd v Iliffe (1997) 41 NSWLR 353
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Kyloe Pty Ltd [2007] FCA 1522
Australian Financial Services and Leasing Pty Ltd v Hills Industries Ltd [2014] HCA 14; 307 ALR 512
Burger King Corporation v Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 187; 69 NSWLR 558
Caltex Oil Australia Pty Ltd v Best [1990] HCA 53; 170 CLR 516
Capital Networks Pty Ltd v .au.Domain Administration Limited [2004] FCA 808
Cobbe v Yeoman’s Row Management Ltd [2008] UKHL 55; 1 WLR 1752
Grand Light & Supply Co Inc v Honeywell Inc 771 F 2d 672 (2nd Cir 1985)
Hammond v J P Morgan Trust Australia Ltd [2012] NSWCA 295
I & L Securities Pty Ltd v HTW Valuers (Brisbane) Pty Ltd [2002] HCA 41; 210 CLR 109
Master Education Services Pty Ltd v Ketchell [2008] HCA 38; 236 CLR 101 [2008] HCA 38; 236 CLR 101
Rafferty v Madgwicks [2012] FCAFC 37; 203 FCR 1
Re Application of the News Corp Ltd (1987) 15 FCR 227
United Group Rail Services Ltd v Rail Corporation New South Wales [2009] NSWCA 177; 74 NSWLR 618
Workplace Safety Australia Pty Limited v Simple OHS Solutions Pty Limited [2013] NSWSC 1936

Texts Cited:

J D Heydon, M J Leeming and P G Turner, Meagher, Gummow & Lehane’s Equity Doctrines & Remedies, (5th ed 2015, LexisNexis Butterworths)

Category:

Principal judgment

Parties:

Workplace Safety Australia Pty Limited ACN 090 555 570 (Appellant)
Simple OHS Solutions Pty Limited CAN 131 250 630 (First respondent)
Sue Louise Bottrell (Second respondent)

Representation:

Counsel:
Todd Alexis SC / Craig Arnott (Appellant)
Mark Ashurst SC / Lee Corbett (First and second respondents)

Solicitors:
Stephen von Muenster (Appellant)
Luigi Pasquale Marasco (First and second respondents)

File Number(s):

2013/382673

 Decision under appeal 

Court or tribunal:

Supreme Court of New South Wales

Citation:

[2013] NSWSC 1936

Date of Decision:

11 December 2013

Before:

Rein J

File Number(s):

2012/106183

HEADNOTE

[This headnote is not to be read as part of the judgment]

The appellant, Workplace Safety Australia Ltd (WSA), provided online subscription packages designed to assist businesses to meet their obligations under occupational health and safety legislation. Under a Distribution Agreement entered into on 19 September 2011, the respondent, Simple OHS Solutions Pty Ltd (Simple), agreed to act as the exclusive distributor of WSA’s subscription packages. The second respondent, Ms Sue Bottrell, guaranteed Simple’s obligations under the agreement.

Relevantly, under the agreement, Simple was required to: set out a business plan indicating how it intended to operate its business; administer all sales in accordance with a process prescribed by WSA; use standard forms prescribed by WSA; comply with a manual provided by WSA; and comply with all reasonable directions of WSA.

Under the agreement, Simple was obliged to pay WSA a Customer List Fee in quarterly instalments and to subscribe 15 new customers per month. The agreement specified that if this minimum customer requirement was not met for any six month period, WSA had the right to immediately terminate. The Director of WSA had made two representations to Simple, one prior to the execution of the agreement and one shortly after, that WSA did not expect Simple to make its sales targets initially.

On 26 March 2012, WSA purported to terminate the agreement on the grounds of Simple’s failure to meet the minimum customer requirement and non-payment of a quarterly instalment. The primary judge found, in favour of Simple, that WSA was estopped from terminating based on its failure to meet the minimum customer requirement in the first six months of the agreement. The primary judge also found that WSA was not entitled to terminate based on failure to pay the quarterly instalment as time for the payment of the Customer List Fee was not of the essence.

Further, the primary judge found, in favour of Simple, that the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement under the Franchising Code of Conduct. The judge found that WSA had not complied with either the pre-contractual disclosure requirements in cl 6 or the pre-termination requirements in cl 21 of the Code and had thus breached s 51AD of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). The primary judge awarded Simple damages of $208,178.34, representing the quantum of loss suffered by Simple as a result of entering into the agreement or from its wrongful termination.

The issues on appeal were whether the primary judge erred in holding first, that the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement, second, that time was not of the essence in respect of the payment of the Customer List Fee, third, that WSA was estopped from terminating on the basis of Simple’s failure to meet the minimum customer requirement and fourth, in granting the relief sought by Simple.

The Court held (Bathurst CJ, Basten JA agreeing, Emmett JA writing separately), dismissing the appeal:

Issue 1: Whether the agreement was a franchise agreement

(i)   The definition of ‘franchise agreement’ in cl 4(1)(b) of the Franchising Code of Conduct contains three separate requirements. First, the franchisor must grant the franchisee the right to carry on the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services in Australia. Second, the right to carry on the business must be a right to carry it on under a “system or marketing plan”. Third, the system or marketing plan must be substantially determined, controlled or suggested by the franchisor: [80]-[83] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [180] (Emmett JA).

(ii)   As one of the principal purposes of the Franchising Code of Conduct is to protect franchisees, the Court should not interpret its provisions in a way which would circumvent this purpose: [90] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [183] (Emmett JA).

Caltex Oil Australia Pty Ltd v Best [1990] HCA 53; 170 CLR 516; Master Education Services Pty Ltd v Ketchell [2008] HCA 38; 236 CLR 101 applied.

(iii)   The word ‘system’ in cl 4 (1)(b) of the Franchising Code of Conduct refers to a method of operation under which a business is to be conducted. It is not necessary for a franchise agreement to spell out the details of a system or marketing plan. As the clause contemplates that the business will be carried out under a system or marketing plan, it is at least necessary that the agreement provides for that to occur, even if the terms of the plan are not settled or prescribed in the agreement: [91]-[93] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [183] (Emmett JA).

Rafferty v Madgwicks [2012] FCAFC 37; 203 FCR 1 applied.

(iv)   In order to give effect to the purpose of the Franchising Code of Conduct, namely, to protect franchisees, the word ‘control’ in cl 4(1)(b) should be taken to mean the power to direct or restrain the content of the business plan on any substantial issue. The question is to be determined by practical and commercial considerations: [106] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [183] (Emmett JA).

Re Application of the News Corp Ltd (1987) 15 FCR 227 applied.

(v)   The criteria described in Rafferty as indicating a franchise agreement, while helpful in determining whether such an agreement exists, are not essential to its existence. The Court must consider the agreement as a whole. The relevance of the extent to which the franchisee’s business involves the sale of the franchisor’s goods and services is somewhat limited in circumstances where an agreement relates to a discrete business activity in respect of which the franchisee has separate rights and obligations. The Code is concerned with the business the subject of the franchise agreement: [103], [109]-[111] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [183] (Emmett JA).

Rafferty v Madgwicks [2012] FCAFC 37; 203 FCR 1 considered.

(vi)   The Distribution Agreement conferred on Simple the exclusive right to provide, grant or confer subscription packages, which fell within the definition of ‘services’ in the Competition and Consumer Act. Simple’s business was to be carried on under a system or marketing plan as it was required to: set out a business plan indicating how it intended to operate its business; administer all sales in accordance with a process prescribed by WSA; use standard forms prescribed by WSA; and comply with a manual provided by WSA. This system or marketing plan was substantially controlled by WSA as Simple was required to comply with WSA’s directions and WSA could refuse to consent to Simple’s marketing activities. Thus, the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement under the Franchising Code of Conduct and WSA was not entitled to terminate without complying with cl 21: [86]-[89], [94]-[99], [101], [107]-[108], [114]-[115] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [183] (Emmett JA).

Issue 2: Failure to pay the quarterly instalment

(i)   The Distribution Agreement did not make time of the essence in respect of the payment of the Customer List Fee as the agreement drew a distinction between different fees and only specified that the time of payment of the Distributorship Fee was of the essence: [124]-[129] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [187] (Emmett JA).

Issue 3: Estoppel

(i)   While a representation must be clear and unequivocal before it gives rise to a promissory estoppel, a representation may support a promissory estoppel if it is reasonable for the representee to interpret it in the manner for which the representee contends. In determining whether conduct is reasonably capable of giving rise to a representation, regard must be had to the context in which the conduct occurred and what the conduct would have conveyed to a reasonable person in the position of the representee: [140] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [195] (Emmett JA).

Hammond v J P Morgan Trust Australia Ltd [2012] NSWCA 295 applied.

(ii)   Although the representations by WSA’s Director did not specify the timeframe for the representations, a reasonable person in Simple’s position was entitled to proceed on the expectation that it would not be called on to meet its sales targets, and these targets would not be enforced, in the early period of the agreement. In circumstances where no notice was given that the targets would be enforced until four and a half months after the agreement was entered into, when only 15 packages had been sold, it was unconscionable for WSA to depart from the expectation it had induced by terminating the agreement for failure to sell 90 packages in the first six months: [144], [146] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA).

(iii)   Obiter: Taking into account the fact that the representee was a qualified solicitor and that the representations did not reference the clause in the agreement providing for the right to terminate for non-compliance with the sales targets, there was no relevant representation made by WSA to ground an estoppel: [196] (Emmett JA).

Issue 4: Relief

(i)   Once an applicant has established loss caused by conduct contravening the Competition and Consumer Act, she or he is entitled to recover that loss and that right is not subject to s 87: [168] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [185] (Emmett JA).

I & L Securities Pty Ltd v HTW Valuers (Brisbane) Pty Ltd [2002] HCA 41; 210 CLR 109 applied.

(ii)   Simple was entitled to recover the loss suffered as a result of its entry into the Distribution Agreement in circumstances where it was conceded that it would not have done so had there been compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct: [167]-[168] (Bathurst CJ); [174] (Basten JA); [185] (Emmett JA).

Australian Financial Services and Leasing Pty Ltd v Hills Industries Ltd [2014] HCA 14; 307 ALR 512 distinguished.

Judgment

1. BATHURST CJ: Occupational health and safety is an increasingly important and complex issue in the conduct of business activities in this country. Both the appellant, Workplace Safety Australia Pty Limited (WSA), and the first respondent, Simple OHS Solutions Pty Limited (Simple), provided services to assist business proprietors to carry out their obligations in this area. So far as relevant, WSA provided online subscription packages designed to assist businesses to meet their obligations under the occupational health and safety legislation of various States. Simple provided on-site occupational health and safety consulting services.

2. On 19 September 2011, WSA and Simple entered into a series of agreements concerning the provision of occupational health and safety services. Of these, the most relevant was a Distribution Agreement whereby Simple agreed to act as distributor of WSA’s subscription packages on the terms contained therein (the Distribution Agreement).

3. The Distribution Agreement obliged Simple to pay WSA two fees, a Distributorship Fee and a Customer List Fee. A number of instalments were listed under the heading of these two fees, including an amount of $281,584, described as a customer database fee, of which $150,000 was payable “on completion of initial training” and the balance payable by instalments of $32,896, payable “each quarter after the date of completion of initial training”.

4. The Distribution Agreement also imposed an obligation on Simple to subscribe 15 new customers to subscription packages per month. Clause 5.4 of the Distribution Agreement provided that if this minimum customer requirement was not met for each six month period during the term of the agreement, WSA had the right to immediately terminate the agreement.

5. The second respondent, Ms Sue Louise Bottrell (Ms Bottrell), guaranteed Simple’s obligations under the Distribution Agreement.

6. The arrangement contemplated by the Distribution Agreement was unsuccessful. WSA purported to terminate the agreement on 26 March 2012 on the grounds of failure to meet the minimum customer requirement in cl 5.4 and non-payment of a quarterly instalment of $32,896, due on 23 March 2012. Simple contended that WSA was not entitled to terminate as first, WSA was estopped from relying on cl 5.4 to terminate the agreement and second, in respect of the payment of the quarterly fee, time was not of the essence.

7. Simple also contended that the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement within the meaning of the Franchising Code of Conduct (the Code), prescribed as a mandatory industry code for the purpose of s 51AE of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (the Act). Simple asserted that WSA had not complied with either the pre-contractual disclosure requirements in cl 6 of the Code or the pre-termination requirements contained in cl 21 and had thus contravened s 51AD of the Act. WSA denied that the agreement was a franchise agreement.

8. The primary judge, Rein J, determined the issues raised in favour of Simple. He found that WSA was estopped from relying on cl 5.4 of the Distribution Agreement and that time was not of the essence in respect of the payment of the quarterly instalment. He also found that the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement, with the result that WSA was not entitled to terminate without complying with cl 21 of the Code. Further, he held that Simple would not have entered into the agreement had it been aware that the agreement was a franchise agreement.

9. The primary judge awarded Simple damages of $208,178.34, which he stated was accepted as the quantum of loss suffered by Simple as a result of entering into the agreement or as a result of WSA’s termination of the agreement.

The agreements between the parties

10. The principal question debated on the appeal was whether the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement. In considering this issue, as well as the entitlement of WSA to terminate the agreement, it is necessary to have regard to a number of its provisions.

11. Clause 1.1 contains a number of definitions which are of relevance to the proceedings:

“‘Customer List’ means the list of Customers the Supplier shall supply to the Distributor in accordance with clause 2.2(b).

‘Customer List Fee’ means the fee set out in item 11 of the Schedule.”

That fee is stated in the Schedule to be $281,584 (GST inclusive).

“‘Customer Subscription Fee’ means the fee set out in item 6 of the Schedule.”

The Schedule states that that fee is the fee applicable to the subscription packages sold, as stated from time to time on the WSA website.

“‘Customers’ means customers who subscribe to a Subscription Package.

‘Distributorship Fee’ means the fee set out in item 4 of the Schedule.”

Item 4 of the Schedule defines this fee as $95,000 (plus GST).

“‘Know How’ means the collective industry & campaign experience, information or know how gained and owned by the Supplier through the conduct of its business by its owners, employees and contractors (whether written or unwritten) including but not limited to the Supplier’s systems, methods, technologies and affairs; financial approaches, strategies, directions, concepts, plans; research, development, operational, legal, marketing or accounting information, concepts plans, strategies, directions or systems; technology, inventions, discoveries, improvements, processes, formulae, techniques, understandings & insights, manuals, instructions, source & object codes for computer software; and supplier information.

…

‘Minimum Customer Requirement’ means the minimum number of New Customers who must subscribe to a Subscription Package as a result of being introduced to the Subscription Packages by the Distributor (as set out in item 2 of the Schedule), excluding Customers renewing their existing subscriptions.

…

Product means the National Reference Handbook created and published by the Supplier.

‘Risk Service Provider’ Simple OHS Solutions Pty Ltd

…

‘Subscription Packages’ means the subscription package products as identified from time to time on including the subscription packages identified in item 8 of the Schedule including all updates, new editions and new versions and any other products which the Supplier and the Distributor agree to include in the Agreement from time to time and add to the Schedule. For the avoidance of any doubt, Subscription Packages does not include the ‘Safety Systems Interactive Online Audit Tool’ owned by Workplace Safety Australia Audit Tools Pty Ltd or any similar products.

…

‘Trade Mark’ includes but is not limited to the Supplier’s common law trade mark WORKPLACE SAFETY AUSTRALIA and Registered Trade Mark No 111 8268:”

12. Clause 1.2 of the Distribution Agreement is an interpretation clause. Relevantly, it provides that “a recital, schedule or annexure forms part of this Agreement”. Clause 1.3 provides that headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect interpretations.

13. Clause 2 contains the principal obligations imposed on each party under the agreement. It provides as follows:

“2. SCOPE

2.1 Sole Distribution

In consideration of the payment of the Distributorship Fee and subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Supplier grants to the Distributor and the Distributor accepts:

(a)   subject to clause 2.4, the exclusive right to market and sell Subscription Packages in the Territory only; and

(b)   a limited and revocable non-exclusive licence to use the Trade Mark for the purpose of marketing and selling Subscription Packages and Products in the Territory, but only in accordance with this Agreement.

2.2 Distributorship Fee and Customer List Fee

(a)   Distributorship Licensing Fee. The Distributor must pay the Supplier the Distributorship Licensing Fee in the following installments and at the following times:

(i)   $10,000-00 (plus GST) on or before the signing and exchanging the agreement. This installment shall not be refundable in the event this Agreement is terminated for any reason after this instalment is paid; and

(ii)   $85,000-00 (plus GST) on completion of one week’s initial training in accordance with clause 17.1 (which shall be at a time and on a date nominated by the Supplier). This installment shall not be refundable in the event this Agreement is terminated for any reason after this installment is paid.

(iii)   $281584.00 (GST Inclusive) Customer database fee, renewal list calculated and valued at point of sale. (Going concern).

(iv)   $150000.00 on completion of initial training in accordance with clause 17.1 (Currently scheduled to be completed by the 16th of September 2011).

(v)   $32896.00 each quarter after the date of completion of initial training as detailed in (iv) as above until the amount of $131584.00 is paid in full.

(b)   Customer List Fee. In consideration of the Distributor paying the Supplier the Customer Licence Fee in accordance with this clause 2.2, the Supplier agrees to grant the Distributor an exclusive licence to use the Customer List in the Territory for the Term for the purpose of marketing and selling Subscription Packages and Products in the Territory, but only in accordance with this Agreement.

(c)   The Supplier and Distributor agree that the amount of fee payable in respect of the Distributorship Fee and the time for payment of these fees is of the essence. The Supplier may immediately terminate this Agreement by notice in writing if the payments set out above are not paid to it in the manner and timeframes stated in this Agreement. If the Supplier terminates this Agreement in accordance with this clause 2.2(c), clause 3.2 does not apply.

(d)   For the avoidance of doubt, any GST payable on the Distributorship Fee shall be the responsibility of the Distributor and the Distributorship Fee are exclusive of any GST payable in accordance with the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth). Any GST payable under the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth) must be paid at the same time the Distributorship Fee installments are paid to the Supplier.

(e)   The Supplier shall issue the Distributor with a properly rendered tax invoice (as required by the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth)) in respect of each Distributorship Fee installment payable in accordance with this clause 2.2.

2.3 Payment of Distributorship Fee

The Distributor must pay the Distributorship Fee and or installments by bank cheque or as the Supplier may otherwise direct in writing to the Distributor. The Distributor shall pay the Supplier interest on any amount due and not paid by the Distributor within the required time period, at the rate of 2% per annum over the base rate quoted by the Commonwealth Bank in Sydney ($100,000.00 + overdrafts) (compounding & calculated daily) from the date the payment becomes due.

2.4 Supplier retains right to distribute

For the avoidance of doubt, clause 2.1 does not affect the right of the Supplier to market and sell Subscription Packages in the Territory of its own accord. Unless otherwise agreed, where the Supplier markets and/or distributes a Subscription Package in the Territory of its own accord, the Supplier shall make a payment to the Distributor as follows:

(a)   In the event the Supplier sells a Subscription Package to a Customer in an area other than the Territory, and that Customer at the time or subsequently seeks to purchase a Subscription Package for the Territory, then the Supplier will pay the Distributor an amount calculated in accordance the Schedule.”

14. It was not in contest that the instalments referred to in cl 2.2(a)(iv) and (v) were payments which made up the amount of $281,584, referred to in cl 2.2(a)(iii), and not separate additional payments.

15. Clause 3.3 dealt with customers introduced by WSA (described as the “Supplier”) to Simple (described as the “Distributor”). It provided as follows:

“3.3 Customers introduced by the Supplier to the Distributor

(a)   The Supplier shall refer all Customers and potential customers in the territory requiring Occupational Health and Safety risk assessments and/or on-site training services (the ‘Risk Services’) to the Distributor.

(b)   The Supplier acknowledges and accepts that for the purposes of carrying out their obligations in respect of coordinating and supplying Risk Services, the Distributor and the Risk Service Provider will have direct access to and contact with the Customers in the Territory.”

16. Clause 4 imposed obligations on WSA to provide support to Simple and imposed restrictions on the power of Simple to refer persons to WSA for support.

17. Clause 5 set out detailed obligations imposed on Simple and various prohibitions on the manner the packages were to be distributed and marketed. It was in the following terms:

“5 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S OBLIGATIONS

5.1 Obligations of the Distributor

The Distributor must:

(a)   within 30 calendar days of signing and exchanging this Agreement submit to the Supplier a detailed business plan setting out how the Distributor intends to fund and operate the Distributor’s business in the Territory;

(b)   at all times during the Term, act dutifully, diligently and in good faith and diligently promote (in accordance with all reasonable directions of the Supplier) the Subscription Packages in the Territory;

(c)   subject to clause 5.3, use its best endeavours to obtain subscriptions for Subscription Packages by Customers in the Territory;

(d)   ensure at all times that it is clear to all third parties that the Distributor is a separate legal entity from the Supplier and that the Distributor is not an agent of the Supplier;

(e)   disclose in all communications with Customers (including but not limited to written correspondence and literature regarding Subscription Packages) that it is the authorised distributor of the Company in the Territory.

(f)   use the Trade Mark in its complete form and strictly subject to the Supplier’s licence to use the Trade Mark (and terms of that licence) in respect of marketing and selling Subscription Packages in the Territory;

(g)   immediately inform the Supplier of any matter which may affect the distribution of the Subscription Packages within the Territory (including but not limited to the Distributor’s ability to market and sell the Subscription Packages);

(h)   comply with all reasonable directions of the Supplier;

(i)   ensure at all times that any notices relating to the Supplier’s Intellectual Property Rights appearing in or on the any products or services that comprise the Subscription Packages, the Distributor website or marketing and promotion material or any other form of communication or literature regarding the Subscription Packages are not altered or removed;

(j)   promptly communicate to the Supplier any complaints made by Customers regarding the Subscription Packages;

(k)   comply with all applicable Laws regarding the distribution of the Subscription Packages at all times, including but not limited to laws in respect of marketing and advertising, product liability, fair trading and consumer protection;

(l)   be competent and knowledgeable in and conversant with all aspects of each Subscription Package and ensure that any personnel of the Distributor are equally competent, knowledgeable and conversant;

(m)   furnish to the Supplier within seven (7) calendar days of the Supplier’s request, any information sought by the Supplier regarding the distribution of the Subscription Packages in the Territory;

(n)   process and administer all sales of Subscription Packages or Products in accordance with the process advised to the Distributor by the Supplier from time to time;

(o)   if the Distributor sells a Subscription Package or Product, immediately provide the Supplier with an exact copy of each invoice the Distributor issues to a Customer in respect of that sale and provide the Supplier with any other information the Supplier may reasonably request from time to time in respect of a Customer and/or any Subscription Packages or Products they purchase during the Term; and

(p)   if the Distributor sells a Product to a Customer independent of a Subscription Package, sell the Product for the recommended retail price advised by the Supplier at the relevant time (or as stated on as applicable) and comply with all other provisions set out in this Agreement in respect of communicating with Customers, use of the Trade Mark, Confidential Information, Intellectual Property Rights, marketing and promotional material and any other clause in this Agreement expressly or impliedly relating to the purchase and sale of Products by the Distributor.

5.2 Prohibitions on the Distributor

The Distributor must not:

(a)   appoint any agents or subcontractors to carry out any of its obligations under this Agreement without first obtaining the Supplier’s express written consent (the terms and granting of which shall be in the Supplier’s sole discretion);

(b)   register any trade mark or develop or use any other branding or indicia in respect of the Subscription Package or the Distributor’s business in distributing the Subscription Packages without first obtaining the Supplier express prior written approval (the terms and granting of which shall be at the Supplier’s sole discretion);

(c)   pledge the Supplier’s credit for any purpose;

(d)   make any false, misleading, deceptive or derogatory representations about the Supplier or Subscription Packages;

(e)   incur any liability or assume any obligation on the Supplier’s behalf;

(f)   release to the market, sell or otherwise make available to a third party or distribute any products or services identical or similar to the products or services that comprise the Subscription Packages;

(g)   use or make reference to any products or services other than the products or services that comprise the Subscription Packages in marketing the Subscription Packages;

(h)   use or permit the use of the Subscription Packages for any unlawful purpose;

(i)   alter, update or otherwise modify the products or services that comprise the Subscription Packages in any way including altering, updating or otherwise modifying their content or altering any badge, label, sign or trade mark on the Subscription Packages (or components of the Subscription Packages) as supplied by the Supplier; or

(j)   use or permit the use of the Trade Mark, Subscription Packages or Supplier’s Intellectual Property Rights in a manner that is not expressly authorised under this Agreement (or any other agreement in writing between the parties from time to time);

(k)   without the Supplier’s prior written consent (the terms and granting of which shall be in the Supplier’s absolute discretion).

The Supplier and Distributor agree that the terms of this clause 5.2 are essential terms of this Agreement. If the Distributor breaches any term in this clause 5.2, the Supplier may elect, at its discretion, to immediately terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to the Distributor. If the Supplier terminates this Agreement in accordance with this clause 5.2, clause 3.2 does not apply.

5.3 Marketing and Promotional Material

The Distributor must:

(a)   obtain the Supplier’s approval and consent (the terms and granting of which shall be at the Supplier’s sole discretion) in respect of all proposed marketing and promotional activities and communications, including but not limited to marketing or promotional activities and material, literature regarding the Subscription Packages or Products, email marketing, telephone marketing and all written communications (including mail based correspondence) before conducting such marketing and promotional activities or releasing such correspondence or communications (as applicable) in the Territory; and

(b)   consult and receive the Supplier’s prior written approval in respect of obtaining and registering a proposed domain name and creating a website in respect of the Subscription Packages or Products (the terms and granting of which shall be at the Supplier’s sole discretion).

5.4 Minimum Customer Requirement

The Distributor must meet the Minimum Customer Requirement, as set out in Item 2 of the Schedule. If the Distributor does not meet the Minimum Customer Requirement for each six (6) month period during the Term of this Agreement, the Supplier may elect, at its discretion, to immediately terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to the Distributor. If the Supplier terminates this Agreement in accordance with this clause 5.4, clause 3.2 does not apply.

5.5 Minimum Purchase Requirement

The Distributor must comply with the Minimum Purchase Requirement for each Order placed in accordance with clause 12. The Supplier shall not fulfill any Order placed by the Distributor that does not meet the Minimum Purchase Requirement.”

18. Clause 8 prohibited Simple from making any warranty or representation on behalf of WSA. In that context, cl 8.3 provided as follows:

“8.3 Use of Supplier Issued Forms and Documents

Without limiting clause 5.3, the Distributor must at all times during the Term use in the manner required all standard forms and documents supplied to the Distributor by the Supplier in respect of marketing and selling Subscription Packages or Products, including but not limited to invoices issued to Customers for the purchase of Subscription Packages or Products, Subscription Package or Product information sheets and any other forms or documents created and issued by the Supplier from time to time. The Distributor must not at any time alter, modify or otherwise change any standard form or document issued to the Distributor by the Supplier in respect of marketing and selling the Subscription Packages or Products.”

19. Clause 17 dealt with training and the right of WSA to supply a manual which Simple was required to use in its operations. It was in the following terms:

“17. TRAINING AND MANUAL

17.1 Initial Training

During the Term, the Supplier will provide at the Distributor’s premises for the Distributor’s personnel such initial training in the use, marketing and sale of the Subscription Packages or Products as the Supplier considers necessary to facilitate the marketing, distribution and sale of the Subscription Packages. The Distributor will bear all expenses and training costs associated with the provision of such training.

17.2 Additional Training

The Distributor may, from time to time, request additional training, and the parties will agree on the terms of provision of such additional training. The Supplier may also offer to the Distributor additional training during the Term, as may be required from time to time. Such additional training shall be provided by the Supplier at the Distributor’s premises (unless otherwise agreed by the Parties) and the Distributor will bear all expenses and training costs associated with such additional training.

17.3 Manual

The Supplier may, during the Term, provide to the Distributor a manual in respect of marketing and selling the Subscription Packages or Products which shall include (but not be limited to) standard forms or documents the Distributor shall be required to use when marketing and selling the Subscription Packages. The Distributor must comply with the manual and any (updates to the manual that the Supplier may issue from time to time during the Term) at all times.”

20. Clause 21 dealt with records, inspections and auditing. It provided as follows:

“21. RECORDS, INSPECTIONS AND AUDITING

21.1 Maintenance or records

The Distributor must maintain all records that are reasonable and necessary, or specified by the Supplier, to enable the Supplier to confirm the Distributor’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement.

21.2 Audit

Upon given seven (7) days’ notice, the Supplier or its representatives may during the Term of this Agreement and for a period of 1 year after its termination, audit any of the Distributor’s records or files, which are related to the Distributor’s obligations under this Agreement. Any such audit will be conducted during normal business hours and will be at the cost of the Supplier.

21.3 Inspection

The Distributor must, after giving seven (7) days’ notice from the Supplier, allow the Supplier and any person authorised by the Supplier, reasonable access during normal business hours to inspect any matter or thing connected with the Distributor’s fulfillment of its obligations under this Agreement.

21.4 Books

The Distributor must, during the Term of this Agreement:

(a)   keep complete and proper books and records of income and expenditure, assets and liabilities in a form which will allow the accurate and prompt extraction of information regarding the performance of its obligations under this Agreement;

(b)   ensure that those books and records are prepared according to the Corporations Act and generally accepted Australian accounting principles and show a true and fair view of all transactions and the financial and contractual position of the Agency relating to the performance of the Distributor’s obligations under this Agreement; and

(c)   organise and safely store all books, records, invoices, timesheets, bank statements, accounts, agreements and other documents relating to the Distributor’s obligations under this Agreement.

21.5 Annual accounts.

Upon reasonable request by the Supplier, the Distributor must provide to the Supplier accounts in respect of the services performed in the immediately preceding financial year, calendar year or 12 months of the Term.”

21. Clause 23.3 provided for circumstances in which WSA was entitled to immediately terminate the agreement with written notice. It was in the following terms:

“23.3 Supplier’s Right to Terminate

Without limiting any other right of termination at law or otherwise, the Supplier may terminate this Agreement immediately by giving written notice if:

(a)   the Distributor commits or is affected by an Act of Insolvency;

(b)   the Distributor breaches a provision of this Agreement and does not cure that breach within 20 Business Days of the date on which the Supplier provides the Distributor with a written notice identifying the breach and requesting that it be cured;

(c)   the Distributor breaches a provision of this Agreement and the breach cannot, in the Supplier’s reasonable opinion, be cured;

(d)   it is exercising an express right to terminate accrued elsewhere under this Agreement; or

(e)   the Distributor does or omits to do anything which, in the Supplier’s reasonable opinion, may adversely affect the Supplier’s brand, reputation, goodwill or any of the products or brands sold or represented by the Supplier.

If the Supplier terminates this Agreement in accordance with this clause 23.3, clause 3.2 does not apply.”

22. Item 8 of Sch 1 of the agreement described the subscription packages which customers would receive.

23. On the same day as the Distribution Agreement was entered into, the same parties entered into an agreement described as a Service Agreement. That agreement was independent of the Distribution Agreement, although it was referred to in Sch 2 of the latter agreement. By the Service Agreement, WSA granted Simple the exclusive right to provide occupation health and safety risk assessments, audit and an onsite training services to clients who purchased or renewed subscription packages from WSA during the term of the agreement.

22. In addition, on the same day, WSA and Simple entered into two further agreements. By the first agreement, Simple agreed to provide consulting services to WSA to assist it with risk evaluation and risk management training. By the second agreement, WSA appointed Simple as a commissioned sales agent to sell what were described as Audit Tool products produced by WSA. It is unnecessary to set out the terms of either agreement.

23. The primary judge, in reaching his conclusion, also placed reliance on a training manual with which Simple was required to comply by virtue of cl 17.3 of the Distribution Agreement. The Training Manual (the Manual) supplied to Simple pursuant to this clause was tendered in evidence. There was a dispute between the parties as to whether the Manual was available at the time the contract was signed. Ms Kim Schekeloff (Ms Schekeloff), the Director of WSA responsible for the negotiations, asserted that it was. Ms Bottrell, who conducted the negotiations on behalf of Simple, denied that Simple received it prior to the execution of the agreement. The primary judge made no finding on this issue.

24. The Manual contained detailed provisions on trials of the product, orders and procedures for payment. In relation to trials, it required potential customers to complete a trial order form, a particular form notifying WSA of the trial, and a form notifying customers of the trial details. It also set out procedures for extending trials.

25. The Manual also included detailed procedures for orders and payments. It prescribed the order form to be used, the form of invoice and the email to be sent to the client, to which the invoice was to be attached. It also contained an information sheet relating to the business subscription package. Different forms provided for new subscriptions and for the renewal of subscriptions.

The legislative background

28. Part IVB of the Act provides for the making of the industry codes.

29. Section 51AE of the Act provides that regulations made pursuant to the Act may prescribe an industry code and declare it to be mandatory or voluntary. Section 51ACB provides that a corporation must not, in trade or commerce, contravene an applicable industry code.

30. The Code was prescribed as a mandatory code by the Trade Practices (Industry Codes – Franchising) Regulations1998 (Cth). The Code imposes an obligation on franchisors to provide franchisees with a disclosure document prior to entering into a franchise agreement. The purpose of this document is described in cl 6A of the Code as being to give a prospective franchisee information to help it make a reasonably informed decision about the franchise. By cl 11, a franchisor must not enter into or renew a franchise agreement unless the franchisor has received a written statement from the prospective franchisee that it has read and understood the disclosure document and the Code. Further, before entering into a franchise agreement, the franchisor must have received signed statements from an independent legal or business adviser or an independent accountant that the prospective franchisee has been given advice about the franchise agreement. Alternatively, the franchisor must have received a statement from the prospective franchisee that it has been given that kind of advice or that it has been told that that kind of advice should be sought but has decided not to seek it. Clause 13 provides for a cooling off period during which the franchisee may terminate the agreement.

31. Clause 21 of the Code prohibits a franchisor terminating the franchise agreement for breach unless reasonable notice is given to the franchisee. The notice must state that the franchisor intends to terminate and must indicate what is required to be done by the franchisee to remedy the breach. The clause also requires the franchisor to give the franchisee a reasonable time to remedy the breach.

32. The legislative purpose behind the implementation of industry codes and the purpose of the Code itself was summarised by the High Court in Master Education Services Pty Ltd v Ketchell [1] in the following terms:

“[20]   In the Second Reading Speech of the Trade Practices Amendment (Fair Trading) Bill 1997 it was stated that it was proposed to strengthen legal rights available with respect to unfair business conduct, the enforcement of rights and access to remedies. The Bill was said to achieve these objectives by implementing industry codes of practice and by providing access to protection against unconscionable conduct. The latter is obviously a reference to the inclusion of s 51AC in Pt IVA, to which reference will later be made.

[21]   In the Explanatory Statement with respect to the regulations which prescribe the Code, it was said that the operation of the franchising sector had been of concern to the Government for many years. The sector was characterised by high levels of dispute, generally arising out of the imbalance of power between franchisors and franchisees. Major problems in the sector included inadequate disclosures by franchisors prior to franchise agreements being entered into.

…

[25] The purposes of the scheme of Pt IVB and the Code in question are to regulate the conduct of persons in the franchising industry in order to improve business practices, to provide some protection to franchisees proposing to enter into franchise agreements and to decrease litigation. Those purposes are sought to be achieved, in large part, by ensuring that a prospective franchisee is in a position to make an informed decision about the operation of the franchise and is encouraged to take independent advice before entering into a franchise agreement. The scheme is largely directed to the franchisor, who is obliged to provide that information and advice. Section 51AD may be seen to promote compliance with the Code, by providing, in effect, that non-compliance will amount to a contravention, for which there are remedies available under Pt VI. It is no part of the scheme, and unnecessary to the purposes mentioned, to strike down a contract made by a non-complying franchisor. It is sufficient for the purpose of the scheme that a franchisor is aware of the obligations imposed by the Code and that action may be taken by a franchisee under the Act with respect to a contravention of s 51AD.”

[Internal citations omitted]

1. [2008] HCA 38; 236 CLR 101 (“Ketchell”).

33. Of critical importance in the present case is the definition of “franchise agreement”. Relevantly, cl 4(1) of the Code contains the following definition:

“4(1)   A franchise agreement is an agreement:

(a)   that takes the form, in whole or part, of any of the following:

(i)   a written agreement;

(ii)   an oral agreement;

(iii)   an implied agreement; and

(b)   in which a person (the franchisor) grants to another person (the franchisee) the right to carry on the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services in Australia under a system or marketing plan substantially determined, controlled or suggested by the franchisor or an associate of the franchisor; and

(c)   under which the operation of the business will be substantially or materially associated with a trade mark, advertising or a commercial symbol:

(i)   owned, used or licensed by the franchisor or an associate of the franchisor; or

(ii)   specified by the franchisor or an associate or the franchisor; and

(d)   under which, before starting business or continuing the business, the franchisee must pay or agree to pay to the franchisor or an associate of the franchisor an amount including, for example:

(i)   an initial capital investment fee; or

(ii)   a payment for goods or services; or

(iii)   a fee based on a percentage of gross or net income whether or not called a royalty or franchise service fee; or

(iv)   a training fee or training school fee;

but excluding:

(v)   payment for goods and services at or below their usual wholesale price; or

(vi)   repayment by the franchisee of a loan from the franchisor; or

(vii)   payment of the usual wholesale price for goods taken on consignment; or

(viii)   payment of market value for purchase or lease of real property, fixtures, equipment or supplies needed to start business or to continue business under the franchise agreement.”

34. It was not in issue that the requirements of cl 4(1)(a),(c) and (d) of the definition were satisfied. The issue between the parties was whether the Distribution Agreement fulfilled the requirements of cl 4(1)(b).

The reasoning of the primary judge

35. The primary judge noted at the outset of his judgment that although Simple disputed the right of WSA to terminate the agreement, it did not contend that the agreement remained on foot. Rather, it claimed that it had suffered loss in the sum of $208,177.79, as a result of having entered into the agreement or it being wrongly terminated. He recorded that WSA agreed that that amount represented the quantum of the loss suffered by Simple as a result of entering into the agreement or from its wrongful termination. In its submissions on appeal, WSA submitted that this did not correctly state the concession that was made.

36. The primary judge referred to the factors which were said to be indicative of a system or marketing plan in Rafferty v Madgwicks. [2] He also referred to the matters that that Court stated were indicative of whether any such plan was determined, controlled or suggested by the franchisor. [3] He correctly acknowledged, however, that it was necessary to consider the agreement as a whole rather than “simply ticking off a scorecard”. [4]

    2. [2012] FCAFC 37; 203 FCR 1 (“Rafferty”) at [172].

    3. See Rafferty at [173].

    4. Workplace Safety Australia Pty Limited v Simple OHS Solutions Pty Limited [2013] NSWSC 1936 (“primary judgment”) at [19].

37. His Honour rejected WSA’s submission that Simple was not supplying or distributing subscription packages but only offering them for sale.

38. The primary judge referred to nine clauses in the Distribution Agreement which he regarded as being of particular importance in assessing whether there was a system or marketing plan which was substantially determined, controlled or suggested by the franchisor. These clauses were: first, the requirement in cl 5.1(a) that Simple submit, within 30 days, a business plan setting out how it intended to run and operate the business; second, the requirement in cl 5.1(n) that Simple process and administer all sales in accordance with the process advised by WSA; third, the requirement in cl 5.1(p) to sell at the recommended retail price; fourth, the restrictions in cl 5.2(f) and cl 11.1 on selling competing products; fifth, the requirement in cl 5.3 that Simple obtain WSA’s approval for marketing and promotional activities; sixth, the minimum customer requirement contained in cl 5.4; seventh, the obligation in cl 8.3 to use, without modification, all standard forms and documents supplied by WSA in respect of marketing and selling subscription packages; eighth, the requirements concerning training in cl 17.1; and ninth, the provisions relating to the Manual in cl 17.3.

39. In considering WSA’s control over the marketing and selling of the packages, the primary judge pointed to the prescriptive nature of the Manual and to the fact that cl 17.3 of the Distribution Agreement permitted WSA to include in the Manual matters relating to marketing and selling the subscription packages or products. He also pointed to other indicia of control such as WSA’s ability to require Simple to maintain records and to audit Simple’s records or files.

40. The primary judge recognised that a number of the indicia referred to in Rafferty were absent, namely: the absence of any obligation in respect of advertising and promotion campaigns; the absence of any requirement to have staff vetted; the absence of any requirement to report profit and turnover; the absence of any requirement for signage; the fact that there was no imposition of management structure; the fact that there was no bonus structure; the fact that Simple was permitted to use its own name; and the fact that there was no specification of the type of plant or equipment which Simple was required to use.

41. The primary judge concluded that the absence of any requirement for signage or specification of the type of plant was explicable having regard to the nature of the business governed by the agreement. While he accepted that Simple was not required to conduct marketing and promotional campaigns, he concluded that such a requirement could be imposed through its inclusion in the Manual under cl 17.3.

42. In relation to Simple’s entitlement to use its own name, the primary judge pointed to the fact that the Manual required Simple’s name to be used in much smaller print than the WSA’s name and logo.

43. The primary judge accepted that it was a relevant factor that Simple had an existing occupational health and safety business and that the Distribution Agreement was only one of a suite of agreements entered into between WSA and Simple at that time. However, he concluded that the fact that WSA had no control over other parts of Simple’s business was not relevant if the Distribution Agreement in fact fell within the definition of a franchise agreement.

44. In these circumstances, the primary judge found that Simple was required to market the subscription packages under a system or marketing plan that was substantially determined, suggested or controlled by WSA. The primary judge thus concluded that the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement.

45. The primary judge held that WSA was not entitled to rely on cl 2.2(c) to terminate the agreement as that clause did not make the time for payment of the quarterly fee of the essence of the contract. The primary judge accepted that it was open to read cl 2.2(c) together with cl 2.2(a), (b), (d) and (e) as making time of the essence in respect of the payments. However, he found that the clause was ambiguous and that it was necessary to construe the ambiguity against WSA.

46. The primary judge also concluded that WSA was estopped from relying on cl 5.4 to terminate the agreement. He found that Ms Schekeloff made two representations to Ms Bottrell. The first representation, made prior to the execution of the agreement, was in the following terms:

“I don’t expect you to make your sales targets at first, but our office will help you and you will get there.”

The second representation, made three days after execution, was as follows:

“you and your staff have a lot to learn and it will take some time to come up to speed with all the processes so I don’t expect you to make your sales targets initially but you will do very well I am sure and once you get someone to do the administration it will be a lot easier.”

47. These factual findings were not challenged on appeal.

48. The primary judge rejected the proposition that the representations were not of sufficient clarity to ground an estoppel. He concluded that although WSA made it clear by February 2012 that it would enforce the minimum customer requirement, WSA was estopped from terminating due to non-compliance with this requirement over the six month period “if it was estopped from relying on even the first month of the first six month period”. [5] He also rejected the proposition that the representations only meant that WSA would not insist on 15 new customers in the first month, not that it would not require 90 new customers over the first six month period. He stated that he regarded the representations as being “that for an initial period (unspecified but probably intended to be no more than a few months) WSA would not treat the period for minimum customer requirement as having commenced”. [6]

    5. Primary judgment at [78].

    6. Primary judgment at [78].

The appeal

49. It is unnecessary to set out the grounds of appeal. WSA contended that the primary judge erred in holding that the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement, in holding that time was not of the essence in respect of the payment of the quarterly fees, in holding that WSA was estopped from terminating in reliance on cl 5.4 and in granting the relief sought by Simple.

Was the Distribution Agreement a franchise agreement

The parties’ submissions

50. WSA placed considerable reliance on the context surrounding the parties’ entry into the agreement. It pointed out that Simple had provided occupational health and safety consulting services since 2004 and that Ms Bottrell, a qualified solicitor, was a very experienced occupational health and safety practitioner. It also pointed out that the distribution agreement was not the only agreement entered into by the parties at that time.

51. WSA submitted that this factual context was important because it showed that the distributorship arrangements with WSA only formed part of Simple’s overall business and that Simple retained its own separate corporate identity and brand. It submitted that this fact was central to consideration of the proper application of the Code and was a matter which distinguished this case from the Federal Court authorities cited by the primary judge. It also submitted that the primary judge had erred by relying on the fact that WSA had only made one referral to Simple under the Service Agreement to discount the significance of the Service Agreement.

52. WSA also submitted that the primary judge erred in finding that the “sizeable business investment” made by Simple pointed to a “significant operation”. It stated that this was an inference that was not based on evidence. It pointed to the fact that Simple’s business plan indicated that its consulting and training business was far more significant than its distribution business.

53. WSA submitted that the distribution agreement, which involved selling access to different packages of information, was not an agreement to supply or distribute goods and services within Australia. It identified the issue of construction as whether the right to sell a subscription that provides access to content supplied by another is a right to carry on the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods and services of the type that the Code intended to capture.

54. Senior counsel for WSA submitted that Simple was selling access to information hosted on the WSA website. He submitted that this information was ultimately provided by WSA providing Simple with the user name and password to get access to the content and Simple then providing this to the end user. He submitted that in this context, Simple was not involved in supplying the content of the information.

55. WSA pointed out that the primary judge did not identify the actual system or marketing plan under which Simple worked. It submitted that the Distribution Agreement did not refer to any system or marketing plan. It submitted that, generally speaking, a franchise business was usually a clone or replica of the business franchised by the franchisor, which was not the situation in the present case.

56. WSA submitted that, as a matter of ordinary English, the expression “system or marketing plan” signifies a co-ordinated method or procedure, or scheme whereby goods or services are sold. It referred to a decision of the United States Court of Appeal for the Second Circuit, dealing with similar words in the Connecticut Finance Act, which warned against a literal interpretation that would produce absurd results. That court stated that “it seems wrong to suggest that a distribution relationship involving only a minute percentage of business creates a franchise under Connecticut law”. [7]

    7. Grand Light & Supply Co Inc v Honeywell Inc 771 F 2d 672 (2nd Cir 1985) at 677.

57. WSA referred to the indicia of a franchise agreement, which were referred to by Bennett J in Capital Networks Pty Ltd v .au.Domain Administration Limited [8] and Tracey J in Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Kyloe Pty Ltd,[9] and ultimately approved by the Full Court of the Federal Court in Rafferty. [10] These indicia were considered by the primary judge in the present case. WSA submitted that the primary judge was correct in concluding that those indicia were not to be approached like ticking off a scorecard. However, WSA submitted that the primary judge overlooked the fact that many of the clauses in the Distribution Agreement which he referred to as indicia are typically found in agreements that are not franchise agreements, so the weight to be accorded to such indicia ought to be discounted.

    8. [2004] FCA 808 at [102]-[110], [114]-[115].

    9. [2007] FCA 1522 at [40].

    10. Rafferty at [171]-[172].

50. WSA described the agreement as a commercial arrangement which granted Simple a licence to use the WSA trademark for the purpose of marketing and selling subscription packages, creating a commonality of image around the goods and services supplied by WSA to the end user. It noted that the operation of the business was largely left to Ms Bottrell. It stated that these provisions of the agreement bore the hallmarks of a distributorship or licencing arrangement.

51. WSA noted that the primary judge applied what was said by the Full Court in Rafferty, that it was “enough that the agreement creates rights and obligations that would enable the franchisor substantially to determine, control or suggest that the business be conducted under a system or marketing plan”. [11] At the hearing, senior counsel for WSA did not dispute that that statement was correct. However, WSA submitted that the statement begs the question of what was the system or plan? In that context, senior counsel for WSA submitted that even if the agreement provided that the franchisor could direct the franchisee to act in accordance with its directions, the difficulty was that absent an identified system or marketing plan, the putative franchisee could not be said to be operating under it.

    11. Rafferty at [185].

52. WSA submitted that the conclusion of the primary judge that the Distribution Agreement gave WSA the power and right to control all aspects of the marketing and selling of the packages and products by Simple was erroneous in two respects. First, on its proper construction, the agreement did not control all aspects of the sale of subscription packages. WSA submitted that under cl 5.3, all proposed marketing and promotional material that required WSA’s consent was to be determined by Simple, while cl 8.3 did not direct WSA on the means it could go about achieving sales. Second, any right to control the marketing or selling of the packages had to be under a system or marketing plan, thus, such a plan had to exist. WSA submitted that the primary judge conflated the system or marketing plan with the element of control.

53. Senior counsel for WSA referred in particular to cl 5.3(b) of the Distribution Agreement as showing that no plan had been mandated. He submitted that in considering the obligations on the distributor, it was apparent that there was a critical absence of any obligation to implement and adhere to any franchise system or plan. He submitted that cl 5.3 as a whole made it clear that no system or plan was mandated and it was up to Simple to determine how it would engage in marketing and promotional activities. It submitted that cl 17.3 could not be directed to a system or marketing plan under which the distribution business was to be carried out.

54. WSA submitted that the Manual was not an operations manual of the type that typically forms the essential part of a franchise. It submitted that it was not a system or marketing plan as it did not regulate how Simple was to present itself to prospective customers at the front end of the transaction. It submitted that the Manual only provided for administrative procedures in relation to sales. It stated that Simple was not obliged to accept any co-ordinated advertising or promotional activity.

55. WSA submitted that the absence of the following criteria referred to in Rafferty was a significant indicator that the agreement was not a franchise agreement:

“• special pricing or discount plans;

• sales or display equipment or merchandising devices;

• specification as to the type of plant or equipment which the ‘franchisee’ must use to perform the services (or supply the goods);

• prescribed sales techniques;

• promotional or advertising materials or co-operative advertising;

• guidance in respect of the operation or management of the franchise;

• technical or financial guidelines.”

[emphasis in original]

64. Further, WSA submitted that the primary judge erred in finding that the Manual could be used to impose an advertising and promotional campaign on Simple.

65. Senior counsel for WSA submitted that for an agreement to be a franchise agreement, the system or marketing plan must dominate the business. He submitted that that did not occur in the present case.

66. Senior counsel for WSA submitted that the right to inspect books and records did not speak of a franchise agreement as the agreement did not prescribe any centralised management system between the putative franchisor and franchisee.

67. Senior counsel for WSA submitted that the other agreements entered into on the same date as the Distribution Agreement showed that the distributorship would only form part of Simple’s business and reinforced, what he described as, Simple’s autonomy. He submitted that it was powerful piece of evidence against the Distribution Agreement being a franchise agreement that Simple’s business was not dominated by a system or marketing plan, as required by the Code.

68. Senior counsel for WSA submitted that cl 17.3 was limited to giving directions in respect to the marketing and selling of products and did not include any reference to a system or marketing plan under which the business was to be conducted.

69. Senior counsel for WSA also submitted that cl 17.3 was subject to overarching obligations of good faith and, if both parties were acting reasonably and in good faith, it could not be used to impose a new type of business model on Simple. In that context, he stated that the Manual had been provided prior to the entry into the Distribution Agreement and, in these circumstances, any significant departure from it would be unreasonable.

70. In its submissions, Simple stated that cl 4.1(b) of the Code has three elements. First, a person (the franchisor) grants another (the franchisee) the right to carry on the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services in Australia, second, the business is to be carried out under a system or marketing plan and, third, the plan is substantially determined, controlled or suggested by the franchisor.

71. Simple submitted that the purpose of the Code was the protection of franchisees and thus, it should not be read narrowly or qualified in the manner suggested by WSA.

72. Simple submitted that there was no textual support in the Code for WSA’s submission that the whole business operation of the putative franchisee should be considered by the Court in determining whether the agreement is a franchise agreement. It referred particularly to the express limitation in cl 5(3)(b) of the Code, which was not relied on by WSA, that the Code does not apply to a franchise if the turnover of the franchised business would form less than 20% of the franchisee’s sales.

73. Simple submitted that it was incorrect to read cl 4(1)(b) of the Code as requiring “offering and supplying” or “offering and distributing”. It submitted that the term ‘offering’ includes offering for supply or distribution by a third party. It referred to the definition of “supply” in s 4 of the Act, submitting that it was not unusual for the supply to be divorced from the sale in a franchise.

74. Simple submitted that the primary judge correctly found that the Manual imposed on Simple a system of how to market and sell the subscription packages (“a type of scripting”). [12] It submitted that the primary judge was correct in identifying “system or marketing plan” as a composite expression, directed not only to the marketing of goods and services, but also to the existence of an internal business system in relation to that marketing or selling. It submitted that it was a mischaracterisation to describe what was imposed by the Distribution Agreement and Manual as an administrative process. It submitted that the Distribution Agreement and Manual imposed a co-ordinated method or procedure whereby goods and services were sold.

    12. See primary judgment at [31].

75. Simple described the system or marketing plan in the following terms. First, Simple made the initial contact with the prospective client by telephone to arrange a trial of WSA’s web site. It noted that cl 17.1 of the Distribution Agreement required WSA to provide training on this form of direct market selling. Second, follow-up communications took place between Simple and the prospective client, which had to be drafted on the templates prescribed in the Manual. Third, Simple engaged in communications with existing clients to encourage them to renew their subscriptions, the format of which was also strictly controlled by the Manual.

76. Simple stated that the Manual imposed a form of scripting in respect to the selling of the packages, including prescribing the system for setting up a trial, the requisite notification of the client of the trial process. It pointed out that the business template to be used for this purpose included an information sheet which was clearly a marketing document. It referred to the follow-up letter required to be sent after the trial, which it submitted was also a marketing document. It also submitted that the Manual imposed a prescriptive system in respect of selling, which involved record keeping and reporting systems determined by WSA.

77. Senior counsel for Simple submitted that the actual terms of the Manual were irrelevant. However, he submitted that even if that was incorrect, it was important that the products were marketed by the distributor first telephoning the potential customer and then having a trial, both of which were specifically provided for in the Manual. He pointed out that the Manual required maintenance of a spreadsheet showing the status of trials. This was to be sent each week to WSA. He also pointed out that Simple was required to maintain and update a client list.

78. Senior counsel for Simple also submitted, referring to cl 5.3(b) of the Distribution Agreement, that it was incorrect that WSA had no control over Simple’s website.

Consideration

79. The question of whether the Distribution Agreement is a franchise agreement depends upon whether the requirements in cl 4(1)(b) of the definition of a franchise agreement in the Code are met. There is no issue that cll 4(1)(a), (c) and (d) are satisfied.

80. Clause 4(1)(b) of the definition contains three elements. The first is that it is an agreement containing a grant by the “franchisor” to the “franchisee” of the right to carry on the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services in Australia.

81. The second element is that the right to carry on the business must be a right to carry it on under a “system or marketing plan”.

82. The third element is that the system or marketing plan must be substantially determined, controlled or suggested by the franchisor.

83. The matters relevant in considering whether the second and third elements exist will often overlap, but it is important to remember that they are separate requirements. Thus, it would not be sufficient if the alleged franchisor was only able to control certain aspects of the supply or distribution of the goods or services. Rather, it is necessary that the power of the franchisor extends to substantially determining, controlling or suggesting the system or marketing plan under which the business is carried on.

84. As is apparent from its submissions, WSA contended that none of the elements were made out. It is convenient to deal with each of the elements separately.

The first element: did WSA, in the agreement, grant Simple the right to carry on the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services in Australia

85. “Services” is relevantly defined in s 4 of the Act as follows:

“services includes any rights (including rights in relation to, and interests in, real or personal property), benefits, privileges or facilities that are, or are to be, provided, granted or conferred in trade or commerce, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes the rights, benefits, privileges or facilities that are, or are to be, provided, granted or conferred under:

(a)  a contract for or in relation to:

…

(ii)  the provision of, or the use or enjoyment of facilities for, amusement, entertainment, recreation or instruction …”

The definition of “supply” is in the following terms:

“supply, when used as a verb, includes:

(a)  in relation to goods—supply (including re‑supply) by way of sale, exchange, lease, hire or hire‑purchase; and

(b)  in relation to services—provide, grant or confer;

and, when used as a noun, has a corresponding meaning, and supplied and supplier have corresponding meanings.”

86. Clause 2.1(a) of the Distribution Agreement conferred on Simple the exclusive right to market and sell subscription packages in the Territory. The subscription packages, which are described in Item 8 to Sch 1 of the agreement, comprise, amongst other things, educational material relating to occupational health and safety and access to WSA’s legal advisers and research department. As such, the packages fall within the general definition of services in the Act.

87. The Distribution Agreement not only gave Simple the right to sell the packages, but imposed upon it, in cl 5.1(c), an obligation to use its best endeavours to obtain subscriptions. It is plain that this involved offering the subscriptions for sale. The fact that WSA continued to own the intellectual property of the packages and that the packages were accessed through WSA’s website does not alter the position.

88. WSA submitted that Simple did not supply the packages. However, it is unnecessary to consider whether or not the agreement empowered Simple to provide, grant or confer the services, as the agreement created the right to carry on the business of offering the services.

89. In these circumstances, the Distribution Agreement satisfies the first element of the definition of a franchise agreement in cl 4(1)(c).

The second element: was the business carried on under a system or marketing plan

90. I have set out above, at [32], the summary by the High Court in Ketchell of the legislative purpose of the Code. As one of the principal purposes of the Code is to protect franchisees, the Court should reject any interpretation of its provisions which would allow this statutory purpose to be circumvented. [13]

    13. Caltex Oil Australia Pty Ltd v Best [1990] HCA 53; 170 CLR 516 at 525 (Mason CJ, Gaudron and McHugh JJ, Dawson J agreeing).

91. Notwithstanding, it remains necessary to determine whether the right granted was the right to carry on a business under a system or marketing plan. In my opinion, the word system, in that context, refers to a method of operation under which a business is to be conducted. In Rafferty, the compendious expression “system or marketing plan” was described by the Full Federal Court as signifying “a co-ordinated method or procedure, or scheme whereby goods or services are sold.”[14]

    14. Rafferty at [171].

92. In Rafferty, the Full Court also stated that “it is not necessary for the details of a system or marketing plan be set out in the franchise agreement. It is enough that the agreement creates rights and obligations that would enable the franchisor substantially to determine, control or suggest that the business be conducted under a system or marketing plan.”[15] I respectfully agree that a system or marketing plan does not have to be spelt out in a franchise agreement. The contrary proposition would allow the statutory purpose of the Code to be readily circumvented.

    15. Rafferty at [185].

93. However, it may not be sufficient, in order to satisfy the purpose of the section, that the agreement enables the franchisor to determine, control or suggest whether the business will be conducted under a system or marketing plan. Clause 4(1)(b) of the Code contemplates that the business will be carried out under a system or marketing plan. It is at least necessary that the agreement provides for that to occur, even if the terms of the plan are not settled or prescribed in the agreement.

94. In my opinion, the Distribution Agreement did provide for the business to be carried out under a system or marketing plan. Clause 5.1(a) required Simple to submit to WSA a detailed business plan setting out how it intended to fund and operate its business in the Territory that was the subject of the agreement. Although Simple’s business could extend to activities over and above the sale of subscription packages, the business plan would need to incorporate the method of operation of the latter activity.

95. The business plan would need to set out how Simple would market the products. In my view, the use of the words “operate the Distributor business” in cl 5.1(a) of the Distribution Agreement indicates that the plan that was contemplated would extend beyond mere funding. Indeed, operating a business includes consideration of how it is intended that products be sold or marketed.

96. The Distribution Agreement does not specifically provide for WSA to approve of the business plan, or for Simple’s business to be conducted in accordance with it. However, it can be inferred that it was the parties’ intention that the business would be carried out in accordance with the plan, subject to the other requirements in the agreement and the obligation imposed on Simple by cl 5.1(h) to comply with all reasonable directions of WSA.

97. There are other provisions of the agreement which demonstrate that the business was to be carried out under a system or marketing plan. Clause 5.1(n) requires Simple to process and administer all sales of subscription packages in accordance with the process advised by WSA. This clause envisages the existence of prescribed system of processing and administering sales. Although the provision may not extend to the marketing of the product, it does envisage that the administration of sales will be carried out under a plan, further supporting the conclusion that the business was to be carried out under a system or marketing plan.

98. Clause 8.3 deals directly with marketing and selling packages and products, requiring standard forms to be used, including product information sheets created and issued by WSA. This clause also tends to suggest that the business was to be carried out under a system or marketing plan.

99. Finally, cl 17.3 empowers WSA to provide a manual in respect of marketing and selling the packages, which was to include, but not be limited to, prescribing standard forms and documents. This again tends to suggest that the parties intended for the business to operate under a system or marketing plan.

100. In this context, I have not taken into account the actual Manual which was tendered in the proceedings. The Manual does not form part of the Distribution Agreement and it is contested whether it was made available to Simple prior to entry into the agreement. What is important is WSA’s power to provide the Manual to Simple and the matters which could be included in it.

101. Although it may be that each of the matters to which I have referred, taken individually, would not lead to the conclusion that the business was to operate under a system or marketing plan, the cumulative effect is that the parties intended the business to be carried out under such a plan. This conclusion is based on the business plan referred to in cl 5.3(a), subject to the directions given by WSA, and to the other powers conferred on WSA by cll 5.1(n), 8.3 and 17.3.

102. Contrary to WSA’s submission, I do not think that it is relevant that the business plan was required to be prepared by Simple. The relevant question in respect to this element of the definition is whether the business was to be carried out under a system or marketing plan. In answering this question, it is immaterial who prepared the plan. That is relevant of course to the third element of whether the plan was substantially determined, controlled or suggested by the franchisor.

103. I also do not think that the absence of some of the indicia in Rafferty, to which I have referred at [63] above, leads to the conclusion sought by WSA that the business was not being carried out under a system or marketing plan. I reject WSA’s submission on this point for four reasons. First, the indicia, while helpful in identifying such a plan, are not essential to its existence. Second, the submission ignores the fact that two of the indicia, the absence of sales or display equipment and specification as to the type of plant and equipment to be used in the business, are irrelevant to the selling of subscription packages in the manner contemplated by the agreement. Third, it ignores the fact that cl 17.1 of the agreement provides for training. Fourth, and most importantly, cl 8.3 contemplates the use of prescribed forms and product information sheets in the marketing and selling of products, as does cl 17.3. There is still a question remaining as to whether the absence of the indicia referred to leads to the conclusion that the system or marketing plan was not substantially controlled by WSA, but it does not lead to the conclusion that there was no such plan.

A. Yes.

Q. Without any reference to Ms Schekeloff at all?

A. Yes.

Q. And the position is, isn’t it Ms Bottrell, that at no time did you seek to define that with her?

A. No.

Q. You didn’t ask her ‘What do you mean by that?’

A. No.

Q. You didn’t say, ‘Well, are you referring to the first week or the first month?’

A. No.

Q. ‘Or the first year?”

A. No.

Q. This is something you divined yourself, did you?

A. Yes.”

144. It seems to me that although Ms Schekeloff did not specify a timeframe, a reasonable person in the position of Ms Bottrell was entitled to proceed on the expectation that, during the early period of the five year agreement, Simple would not be called upon to meet its sales targets and that any contractual rights arising from failing to meet these targets would not be enforced during that period. The finding by the primary judge that on 6 February 2012, WSA first made it clear that the minimum customer requirement would be enforced was not disputed.

145. The letter of 6 February 2012, by which Simple was notified of this matter, simply referred to cl 5.4 and stated that “The content and meaning of this Clause is self evident and more than adequately demonstrates the breach.” While the letter stated that it was not WSA’s intention to allow the breach to continue, it did not state an intention to terminate at the expiry of the initial six month period of the agreement if 90 packages had not been sold.

146. In circumstances where no notice was given that the sales targets would be enforced until 6 February 2012, some four and a half months after the agreement was entered into and at a time when only 15 packages had been sold, it seems to me that it was unconscionable for WSA to depart from the expectation it had induced by terminating the agreement for failure to sell 90 subscription packages in the first six months.

147. In reaching this conclusion, I am conscious that the parties were commercially experienced and that Ms Bottrell, a solicitor, was well able to seek a variation of the contractual terms to protect the interests of Simple. As was said by Lord Walker in Cobbe v Yeoman’s Row Management Ltd,[24] in the context of an estoppel said to arise out of commercial negotiations, “hopes by themselves are not enough” to ground an estoppel.

     24. [2008] UKHL 55; 1 WLR 1752 at [66].

148. The primary judge accepted Ms Bottrell’s evidence, including her evidence that she would not have proceeded with the agreement had she known that the sales targets would be enforced in the early period. Having regard to this acceptance, I do not think Ms Bottrell merely proceeded on the ‘hope’ that the targets would not be enforced, as distinct from an expectation induced by the representation made by Ms Schekeloff.

149. It follows that the primary judge was correct in concluding that WSA was estopped from terminating the agreement in reliance on cl 5.4.

Relief

150. I have set out earlier in this judgment, at par [35], the concession that the primary judge said was made by WSA in regard to the quantum of Simple’s loss. Although there was some dispute as to the extent of the concession, senior counsel for WSA acknowledged that it was conceded, first, that Simple would not have entered into the agreement had there been compliance with the Code and, second, that as a result of entering into the agreement, Simple lost $208,177.39. However, Senior counsel submitted that the concession did not extend to admitting that Simple was entitled to that amount of damages if the agreement was found to be a franchise agreement, nor that that sum was the amount of damages resulting from wrongful termination.

151. Although the primary judge did not expressly say so, it would appear that the damages he awarded were awarded under s 82 of the Act, consequent upon a contravention of s 51AD of the Act. There seems to be a dispute between the parties as to whether these damages were in fact awarded under s 82 or s 87 of the Act.

The parties’ submissions

152. WSA submitted that it was not established that Ms Schekeloff (and through her, WSA) knew that the agreement was a franchise agreement.

153. WSA submitted that by entering into the agreement, it lost the opportunity to earn subscription revenue from customers directly. Further, it submitted that it paid out amounts totalling $121,137 to the previous distributor, Therapy Solutions (Vic) Pty Ltd (Therapy), pursuant to a deed of release entered into between it and Therapy on 19 September 2011. It submitted that Simple was aware of that payment.

154. In that context, WSA submitted that a contravention of s 51AD does not render a franchise agreement illegal or unenforceable. It submitted that the consequence of a contravention of s 51AD is that there should be a “grant of the flexible relief provided for in Part VI” of the Act. It submitted that Simple sought to have the agreement set aside, as well as an order for the recovery of $208,178.39.

155. WSA submitted that s 87 of the Act confers a wide discretionary power on the Court to make remedial orders in appropriate cases in order to achieve a fair result. It submitted that in that context, the primary judge should have taken into account, not only Simple’s loss, but that of WSA, particularly as the remedy sought was in the nature of rescission and restitution.

156. WSA submitted that it was not apparent from the reasons of the primary judge whether he considered restitution in integrum to be substantially possible, submitting that “equity is concerned with what is practically just between the parties”. WSA submitted that it had detrimentally changed its position on the faith of the payments it received from Simple. It submitted that the primary judge was incorrect in concluding that as a result of termination, WSA recovered a valuable asset from Simple, namely, the customer list. It submitted that as licensor, at all times, it retained that list, Simple only being granted a licence to use it. It submitted that although it may have been open to WSA to grant another licence, the unchallenged evidence was that it would not do so. In these circumstances, it submitted that it was appropriate for Simple “to be given some restitution”, but that the primary judge should not have ordered WSA to repay the amount that it had already paid to Therapy.

157. Senior counsel for WSA submitted that Simple sought relief under s 87 of the Act, in addition to damages under s 82. He submitted that the primary judge should have granted relief under s 87, taking account of the change of position to which I have referred earlier. In that context, senior counsel for WSA referred to the recitals to the deed between WSA and Therapy by which those parties agreed that WSA would find a new distributor for Victoria and Tasmania and which terminated the existing agreement between those companies. He also referred to cl 4 of that deed, which provided that upon settlement of a new distribution agreement, WSA would pay Therapy, from money received from the incoming distributor, certain amounts in consideration of the transfer to it of the customer list and other confidential information obtained during the period that Therapy acted as the distributor for WSA. It was not in dispute that the $121,137 paid to Therapy by WSA was paid pursuant to that provision.

158. In that context, senior counsel for WSA, apparently relying on restitutionary principles, submitted that any award to Simple should take account of the payments. It submitted that these payments were paid under the mistake that the Distribution Agreement was not a franchise agreement, although senior counsel seemed to accept that WSA had not entered into the agreement with Therapy on the basis of that mistake.

159. Senior counsel for WSA submitted that this submission was supported by what was said by the High Court in Ketchell at [38].

160. Senior counsel for WSA submitted that irrespective of whether an order was made under s 87, WSA was entitled to have its change of position taken into account.

161. Simple submitted that it was entitled to an award of damages under s 82, unqualified by s 87 and any discretionary considerations.

162. Simple stated that when the agreement was terminated, it lost the money it paid and the use of the customer list. It submitted that it was the legal responsibility of WSA not to enter into an agreement without making the required disclosures under the Code and Simple was entitled to damages for the loss caused to it by that contravention.

163. Simple distinguished the decision of this Court in Akron Securities Ltd v Iliffe [25] on the basis that, in that case, the misleading and deceptive conduct related to a discrete part of the agreement and the appellant still owed other contractual obligations to the respondents not affected by the conduct in respect of which it was necessary to invoke s 87. Simple submitted that that was not the situation in the present case.

     25. (1997) 41 NSWLR 353.

164. Simple submitted that the High Court, in I & L Securities Pty Ltd v HTW Valuers (Brisbane) Pty Ltd,[26] made it clear that s 82 confers a cause of action for contravention of the norms established by the Act and that where damages are available, they are the primary remedy.

     26. [2002] HCA 41; 210 CLR 109 (“I & L Securities”).

165. Simple submitted that the defence of change of position had no application in the present case. First, it submitted that no money was paid by WSA to Simple under a mistake, rather, WSA received money from Simple. Further, it submitted that the money paid to Therapy was for the right to the customer list, of which WSA had had the benefit since termination.

Consideration

166. As I have indicated, WSA conceded that Simple would not have entered into the agreement had there been compliance with the Code and that, as a result, Simple lost $208,178.39. However, it was contended that Simple was not entitled to recover that amount.

167. Section 82 of the Act entitles a person who suffers damage by the conduct of another person, that was done in contravention of Pt IV or Pt IVB of the Act, to recover the damage. In the present case, WSA contravened s 51AD of the Act by entering into the agreement without complying with the provisions of the Act. Prima facie, Simple is entitled to recover the loss suffered as a result of its entry into the agreement in circumstances where it was conceded that it would not have done so had there been compliance.

168. WSA first relied on the fact that at the trial, relief was sought under s 87 as well as s 82 of the Act. It submitted that s 87 empowered the Court to take into account the loss suffered by WSA from entering into the agreement in circumstances where it was not aware that compliance with the Code was required. This submission cannot be accepted for two reasons. First, as was made clear in I & L Securities, once the applicant has established the loss caused by the contravening conduct, he or she is entitled to recover that loss and that right is not made subject, either expressly or by implication, to s 87. [27]

     27. I & L Securities at [20] (Gleeson CJ), [61] (Gaudron, Gummow & Hayne JJ), [69] (McHugh J).

169. Second, there was no need for Simple to rely upon s 87 in this case. The agreement had been wrongfully terminated by WSA and Simple had accepted the repudiation. No relief was required under s 87.

170. Senior counsel for WSA also sought assistance from the reasoning in Australian Financial Services and Leasing Pty Ltd v Hills Industries Ltd. [28] However, the issue in that case was different in a critical respect from the present case. In that case, a purchaser owed money to the suppliers of goods. The purchaser persuaded a finance company to make payments to the suppliers, which were treated by the suppliers as reducing the purchaser's debts. The payments were made under a mistake of fact (induced by the principal of the purchaser). The finance company sought to recover the moneys paid to the suppliers as moneys had and received by them. The suppliers successfully defended the claim on the basis that they had changed their position as a result of receipt of the payments and it would be inequitable to require them to repay the moneys to the finance company. WSA sought to characterise the present case as one in which Simple was seeking to recover from it payments made on a mistaken assumption that the payments were due under the (ineffective) contract. WSA relied upon a payment made by it to Therapy as indicating a change of position on its part, and one of which Simple was aware. This analogy must fail because Simple was not seeking to recover a payment as money had and received, but was rather seeking to recover its loss by way of damages.

     28. [2014] HCA 14; 307 ALR 512.

171. WSA also sought to rely on what were described as restitutionary principles, stating that it was entitled to be credited with the amount it had paid Therapy in the mistaken belief that the agreement between them was valid and enforceable. Leaving aside the difficulty that non-compliance with the Code does not of itself render the agreement illegal or unenforceable,[29] there is no room for the operation of such principles in the present case. Even if money was paid to Therapy under a mistaken belief as to the nature of the Distribution Agreement, Simple received none of it and was not unjustly enriched as a result. By contrast, it suffered loss which would not have occurred had s 51AD been complied with.

     29. See Ketchell at [40].

172. It follows that the appeal relating to relief fails.

Orders

173. I would make the following orders:

1. Appeal dismissed;

2. Appellant to pay the respondents’ costs of the appeal.

174. BASTEN JA: I agree that the appeal should be dismissed with costs, for the reasons given by Bathurst CJ.

175. EMMETT JA: This appeal is concerned with a distribution agreement entered into on 19 September 2011 (the Distribution Agreement) between the appellant, Workplace Safety Australia Pty Ltd (WSA), the first respondent, Simple OHS Solutions Pty Ltd (Simple) and the second respondent, Ms Sue Bottrell (the Guarantor). WSA purported to terminate the Distribution Agreement by reason of alleged breaches on the part of Simple. Simple disputed the entitlement of WSA to terminate but accepted the termination as a repudiation.

176. WSA then commenced proceedings against Simple and the Guarantor in the Equity Division, claiming monies said to be owing under the Distribution Agreement and claiming, as against Simple, damages for loss of further profits under the Distribution Agreement. Simple filed a cross-claim in which it claimed damages for wrongful repudiation of the Distribution Agreement. It also claimed damages under s 82 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (the Consumer Act) on the basis that, in entering into the Distribution Agreement, WSA had contravened s 51AD of the Consumer Act. Section 51AD provides that a corporation must not, in trade or commerce, contravene an applicable industry code. Simple asserted that, in entering into the Distribution Agreement, WSA contravened the Franchising Code of Conduct promulgated under the Trade Practices (Industry Codes – Franchising) Regulations 1998 (Cth) (the Code). That question turns on whether the Distribution Agreement is a franchise agreement within the meaning of cl 4 of the Code.

177. A judge of the Equity Division (the primary judge) concluded that the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement. It was common ground that the requirements of the Code were contravened if that conclusion is correct. His Honour directed judgment for Simple and the Guarantor on the statement of claim filed by WSA. His Honour also directed judgment for Simple in the sum of $238,378.17 against WSA. His Honour ordered WSA to pay the costs of Simple and the Guarantor.

178. By notice of appeal filed on 20 December 2013, WSA appealed from the orders made by the primary judge. Three questions are raised by the appeal. The first is whether his Honour erred in concluding that the Distribution Agreement is a franchise agreement within the meaning of the Code. The second question is whether, on the assumption that his Honour made no such error, his Honour erred in assessing the damages to which Simple is entitled under s 82 of the Consumer Act. The third question is whether, assuming that the Distribution Agreement was not a franchise agreement, his Honour erred in concluding that it had been wrongly terminated by WSA. His Honour concluded that neither bases relied upon by WSA justified the termination. WSA contends that his Honour erred in both respects.

The Distribution Agreement

179. Under cl 4 of the Code, a franchise agreement is relevantly defined as an agreement that satisfies each of four pre-requisites. It is common ground that the Distribution Agreement satisfies three of the four pre-requisites. The dispute is as to whether it satisfies the fourth pre-requisite.

180. The relevant pre-requisite has three elements. First, it must be shown that, in the Distribution Agreement, WSA granted to Simple the right to carry on the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services in Australia. Secondly, it must be shown that the carrying on of the business must be under a system or marketing plan. Thirdly, it must be shown that such system or marketing plan is substantially determined, controlled or suggested by WSA.

181. I have had the advantage of reading in draft form the proposed reasons of the Chief Justice. The relevant terms of the Distribution Agreement are set out in the proposed reasons of the Chief Justice. The critical provisions, for the purposes of the application of the definition of “franchise agreement” in the Code, are cll 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3, which deal with Simple’s obligations; cl 8.3, which deals with the use by Simple of forms and documents issued by WSA; and cl 17, which deals with the provision by WSA to Simple of a manual in respect of marketing and selling the subject matter of the Distribution Agreement.

182. The principal question is whether the terms of the Distribution Agreement have the effect that WSA granted to Simple the right to carry on the business of offering, supplying or distributing goods or services under a system or marketing plan that is substantially determined, controlled or suggested by WSA. WSA contends that, whether or not, in the Distribution Agreement, it granted Simple the right to carry on a relevant business, there is no system or marketing plan determined, controlled or suggested by WSA under which the right to carry on the business is granted.

183. The Distribution Agreement granted to Simple the exclusive right to market and sell subscription packages in Victoria and Tasmania and a limited revocable non-exclusive licence to use WSA’s trademark in Victoria and Tasmania. In those circumstances, it is clear enough that the first element in the second prerequisite was satisfied. While the matter may not be completely without doubt, I agree, for the reasons proposed by the Chief Justice, that the parties intended that the business to be carried on by Simple would be carried on under a system or marketing plan. Accordingly, the second element of the relevant pre-requisite is satisfied. I also agree with the Chief Justice, for the reasons proposed by his Honour, that the power given to WSA under the Distribution Agreement was sufficient to lead to the conclusion that WSA had substantial control over the business plan under which the business was to be conducted. Accordingly, the third element was satisfied.

184. Therefore, the primary judge did not err in concluding that the Distribution Agreement was a franchise agreement for relevant purposes. WSA was thus not entitled to terminate it without complying with the relevant provisions of the Code and the purported termination was wrongful, entitling Simple to accept the termination as a wrongful repudiation.

185. WSA accepted that Simple would not have entered into the Distribution Agreement had there been compliance with the Code. It follows that, if Simple is shown to have suffered loss as a consequence of entering into the Distribution Agreement, it is entitled to recover that loss under s 82 of the Consumer Act on the basis that it has suffered damage by conduct of WSA that was done in contravention of relevant provisions of that Act.

179. In those circumstances, it is not necessary to deal with contentions advanced on behalf of Simple based on representations alleged to have been made by or on behalf of WSA at the time when the Distribution Agreement was entered into. However, I propose to make some observations on those questions before dealing with the further question as to the relief to which Simple is entitled.

Breach of the Distribution Agreement

187. If the Distribution Agreement were not a franchise agreement, the question would arise as to whether WSA repudiated it by purporting to terminate it in circumstances where it was not entitled to do so. WSA relied on two grounds of termination. The first was that Simple had failed to pay certain fees, the time for payment of which WSA said was of the essence. That ground involves a question as to the true construction of cl 2.2(c) of the Distribution Agreement. I agree with the conclusion of the Chief Justice that time was not of the essence so as to justify termination for non-payment.

188. The second ground relied on by WSA was that Simple had failed to comply with the minimum customer requirement set out in a schedule to the Distribution Agreement. Clause 5.4 of the Distribution Agreement provided that Simple must meet the minimum customer requirement as set out in Item 2 of Schedule 1 to the Distribution Agreement. Item 2 specified 15 new customers per month to subscribe to a subscription package during the initial five-year term of the agreement. Clause 5.4 provided that, if Simple did not meet the minimum customer requirement for each six-month period during the agreement, WSA could elect, at its discretion, to terminate the Distribution Agreement immediately, by notice in writing to Simple. It is common ground that Simple did not satisfy the minimum customer requirement. However, the primary judge concluded that WSA was estopped from relying on that failure.

189. There were two elements contained in cl 5.4. The first was the obligation imposed on Simple to obtain 15 new customers per month. The second was the right conferred on WSA to terminate if the minimum of 15 new customers per month was not achieved in any six-month period. That is to say, if in any six-month period fewer than 90 subscriptions were sold, WSA had the right to terminate the Distribution Agreement immediately.

190. Ms Bottrell gave evidence of statements made to her by Ms Schekeloff, which the primary judge accepted. Relevantly, she said that Ms Schekeloff said the following:

Now about the sales targets. I don’t expect you to make your targets initially but I am sure you will do very well. … The last distributors regularly failed to achieve their sales targets as they really didn’t put the proper resources into it … I didn’t insist on them meeting their targets and gave them a lot of rope but as I said once you get going I am sure you will achieve the sales targets easily. … As I said I don’t expect you to make your sales target at first, but our office will help you and you will get there. Once you start getting the payments from renewals and new subscriptions you will have great cash flow.

Ms Bottrell responded that she hoped eventually to be getting more sales in Victoria than in New South Wales. She said that Ms Schekeloff replied:

Well as I said you won’t do it straight away, and I don’t expect you to but I am sure you will do very well. …

191. In cross-examination, when asked whether she took the view at the time when Ms Schekeloff made those statements that 20 new customers per month with respect to WSA’s subscriptions was something that was easily achievable, Ms Bottrell responded “not in the initial term”. She explained that by that she meant “in the first period of the operation of the new distributorship” and their business. When asked what she meant by “the first period”, she said, “let’s say the first six to twelve months”. When asked what she based “the first six to twelve months” on, she said it was because she had been given “reassurances” that it would take time to come up to speed with the processes and that they would be learning things. She said that it was “our expectation and our understanding”, which came from Ms Schekeloff saying “you will be getting used to this and you won’t be making new sales in the first term”.

192. Ms Bottrell agreed that her understanding of “the initial period” being six to twelve months did not come from Ms Schekeloff, who Ms Bottrell agreed had not specified that timeframe or any timeframe. Ms Bottrell also agreed that the reference by Ms Schekeloff to there being no expectation to meet the minimum customer requirements initially was interpreted by her as a reference to a period of about six to twelve months without any reference to Ms Schekeloff at all. She also agreed that she did not, at any time, seek to define with Ms Schekeloff the relevant period. Instead, she agreed that the period of six to twelve months was something that she had defined herself.

193. The language attributed to Ms Schekeloff is that Simple would not be required to make its targets “initially” and would not be expected to make the sales target “at first”. That language is imprecise.

194. Simple says, in effect, that the statement by Ms Schekeloff must be understood as a statement that, notwithstanding the terms of cl 5.4 of the Distribution Agreement, WSA would not terminate the Distribution Agreement by reason only of the fact that Simple did not sell at least 90 subscriptions during the first six months of the term of the Distribution Agreement. Ms Schekeloff simply did not say that. She used the terms “initially” and “at first” when speaking of making the sales targets. The language used by Ms Schekeloff was that of expectation, and did not constitute an unequivocal representation that the contractual right conferred by cl 5.4 would not be exercised in respect of a failure to satisfy the minimum sales requirement over a particular six-month period.

195. A representation may support a promissory estoppel if it is reasonable for the representee to interpret the representation in the manner for which the representee contends. Nevertheless, a representation must be clear and unequivocal before it will give rise to such an estoppel (J Heydon, M Leeming and P Turner, Meagher, Gummow & Lehane’s Equity: Doctrines & Remedies (5th ed 2015, LexisNexis) at [17-265]). Further, in determining whether conduct is reasonably capable of giving rise to a particular representation, it is necessary to have regard to the context in which the conduct occurred and to consider what that conduct would have conveyed to a reasonable person in the position of the observer of that conduct (see, eg, Hammond v JP Morgan Trust Australia Ltd [2012] NSWCA 295; 16 BPR 30,901 at [53]).

196. The fact that Ms Bottrell was a solicitor is relevant to the question of whether or not the statements made by Ms Schekeloff, which made no reference to the right conferred by cl 5.4, should be understood as being sufficient to have induced Ms Bottrell to cause Simple to enter into the Distribution Agreement. If it were necessary to decide the question, I would be disposed to conclude that there was no relevant representation made by WSA.

197. In its second further amended cross-claim, Simple alleged that, on 10 August 2011, WSA represented that Simple would not be expected or required to meet the minimum customer requirements and targets in the Distribution Agreement for a reasonable time at the beginning of the term of the Distribution Agreement. Simple also alleged that on further occasions after 19 September 2011 (the date of entry into the Distribution Agreement), WSA represented that Simple would not be expected to meet its minimum customer requirements for a reasonable time at the beginning of the term of the Distribution Agreement.

198. Simple then alleged that those representations were, or one of them was, misleading or deceptive because “WSA relied on the minimum customer requirements after [sic] the first six months of the term of the Distribution Agreement, which was the first opportunity that it could do so”, and, insofar as the representations were representations as to the future, they were made without reasonable grounds. That language is less than precise in identifying why the representation was misleading and it is unclear that the primary judge made a finding that any of the representations was made without reasonable grounds. For that reason, I would have been disposed to conclude that there was no misleading or deceptive conduct on the part of WSA.

Damages

199. On the day on which the Distribution Agreement was signed, WSA entered into a deed of release with Therapy Solutions (Vic) Pty Ltd (Therapy Solutions). The deed of release recited that WSA and Therapy Solutions had entered into a distribution agreement in February 2007 under which Therapy Solutions had a right to transfer the “customer list database” to a third party for an agreed value and that the parties had agreed to terminate that distribution agreement once a new distributor had been found for Victoria and Tasmania. The deed of release also recited that agreement had been reached as to a price of $281,584 for the sale of the customer list to the new distributor. Clause 4.1 of the deed of release provided that, when the customer list fee was received from the new distributor, it would be applied as to $142,274 to Therapy Solutions. Simple was aware, when it entered into the Distribution Agreement with WSA, that the deed of release had been entered into. Following the payment of the installment of the customer list fee by Simple to WSA, payments were made to Therapy Solutions by WSA as contemplated by the deed of release.

200. WSA contends that any damages to be paid by it to Simple under s 82 of the Consumer Act by reason of the contravention of the Code should take account of the payment made to Therapy Solutions. The object of s 82 in the circumstances would be to compensate Simple for the loss or damage suffered by conduct that contravened the Code. It is impossible to see a justification for such an allowance in the present circumstances. It may be possible that, if WSA were required to pay damages to Simple, it could have some basis for recovery from Therapy Solutions of the amount it has paid. That is a different question, which does not arise in these proceedings.

Conclusion

201. I agree with the orders proposed by the Chief Justice.

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Endnotes

Amendments

29 September 2015 - [21] Change 'Clause 23.1" to Clause 23.3"

23 September 2015 - par [21] added "immediately" before "terminate"

par [21] replaced "without" with "written with"

par [21] replaced incorrect cl 23.1 with correct cl 23.1

par [150] replaced "$208,178.39 with "$208,177.39"

par [157] replaced $121,637" with "$121,137"

08 April 2015 - [195] References in brackets moved to endnotes

08 April 2015 - [192] last line "defined" changed to "divined"

[195] References in brackets moved to endnotes

Decision last updated: 29 September 2015