Zeng v Hu & Anor (Civil Dispute)

In Zeng v Hu & Anor, the applicant, Zeng, sued the respondent, Hu, for the recovery of a debt. Zeng claimed that he loaned Hu $20,000 on the condition that it be repaid within three days. The respondent denied the existence of such a loan and instead claimed that Zeng asked her to exchange Australian dollars (AUD) for Chinese Renminbi (RMB) through a third party, Zoe, and that she was pressured by Zeng to sign a document stating that the money was a loan. Hu sought orders that the third party, identified as Ms Zhang, repay $15,000 she had given to Hu and indemnify Hu against Zeng's claims. The Tribunal found that while Hu did owe Zeng the money, there was insufficient evidence to establish that Ms Zhang was obligated to repay the applicant or indemnify the respondent. The Tribunal concluded that any action against Ms Zhang should be pursued in separate proceedings. The Tribunal ordered Hu to pay Zeng $20,000 plus interest and the applicant's filing fee.