Legislative update

New South Wales

• NSW Government crackdown on the building industry  |  Response to the findings of the 2018 Shergold Weir report

In the Australian courts

Australian Capital Territory

• 'Pay first and argue later' concept underpinning SOPA demonstrated yet again!  |  Canberra Drilling Rigs Pty Ltd v Haides Pty Ltd [2018] ACTSC 282

New South Wales

• The right to an offsetting claim against valid payment claims  |  Grandview Ausbuilder Pty Ltd v Budget Demolitions Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC1647
• No jurisdictional error if an adjudicator misconstrues contract  |  Icon Co (NSW) Pty Ltd v Australia Avenue Developments [2018] NSWCA 339

Northern Territory

• It pays to be prepared! Adjudicators need not ask for submissions for issues that are not a surprise to the parties  |  JKC Australia LNG Pty Ltd v Inpex Operations Australia Pty Ltd & Ors [2018] NTCA 6
• When is there a 'conflict of interest' where an adjudicator is appointed to determine multiple payment disputes simultaneously  |  Northern Territory of Australia v Woodhill and Sons Pty Ltd [2018] NTSC 30

Queensland

• Costs awarded in unsuccessful application for judicial review of a QBCC decision  |  Bourne v Queensland Building and Construction Commission (No 2) [2018] QSC 311
• Unlicensed builder successfully claims reasonable remuneration in excess of the contract price for construction of a chapel  |  Chapel of Angels Pty Ltd v Hennessy Builder Pty Ltd & Anor [2018] QDC 218
• Rendering a subcontractors' charge void – a lot tougher than expected  |  Civex Pty Ltd v Fredon (Qld) Pty Ltd [2018] QDC 208
• CMC and WICET bowled over in the Queensland Court of Appeal  |  Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd v Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Limited; Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Limited v Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd [2019] QCA 12
• Court-appointed expert to provide further opinion despite plaintiffs' additional expert evidence  |  Fricke & Anor v WH Frier Building Contractors Pty Ltd & Ors [2019] QSC 6
• Charges discharge liability in an adjudication  |  Livingstone Shire Council v EarthTEC Pty Ltd and Ors [2018] QSC 271
• Adjudication process to proceed because subcontractor's progress payment tied to value of the work and not profit share arrangement  |  Monadelphous Engineering Pty Ltd v Acciona Agua Australia Pty Ltd & Anor [2018] QSC 310
• Court to ensure the Industry Payments Act is not circumvented when exercising discretion to order payment into court of disputed adjudication amount  |  Runaway Bay Investments Pty Ltd as trustee for Runaway Bay Investments Unit Trust v GCB Constructions Pty Ltd and Ors [2018] QSC 292
• Santos loses ability to call on $55m bank guarantee – strict compliance a must  |  Santos Limited v BNP Paribas [2019] QCA 11
• Feelings are not 'dealings' which engage the duty of good faith  |  Sentinel Robina Office Pty Ltd v Clarence Property Corporation Ltd [2018] QCA 314
• Disgruntled property owners lose out in a protracted claim against their local council  |  Woolnough & Anor v Isaac Regional Council [2019] QSC 17

South Australia

• SA court issues SOPA guidance on the nature of a 'statewide shutdown'  |  McMahon Services Australia P/L v John Holland P/L [2018] SADC 134

Victoria

• Summary judgment on a SOPA claim: What is the Standard of Proof?  |  Best Fab Pty Ltd v Australian High Bay Installations Pty Ltd [2018] VCC 1053
• Respondent will not be wound up where 'genuine dispute' exists  |  Cat Protection Society v Arvio [2018] VSC 757
• Stay of proceedings will be automatically granted where mutual debts are owed in winding up proceedings  |  Coal Projects Pty Ltd v Maicome Pty Ltd [2018] VCC 1730
• 'Paid' means in the hands of, under the control of, and immediately accessible  |  Cornonero Pty Ltd v Bright Moon Buddhist Society & Anor [2018] VSC 737
• Pay now, argue later – a contractor's rights to prompt recovery under the Security of Payment Act upheld  |  Geotech Pty Ltd v Broadspectrum (Australia) Pty Ltd & Anor [2018] VCC 1047
• Progress payment adjudications – better late than never  |  Ian Street Developer v Arrow International [2018] VSC 294
• Successful defence of summary judgment application where payment schedule not provided  |  John Beever (Aust) Pty Ltd v Roads Corporation [2018] VSC 635
• 'Better late than never' – When adjudication determinations are made out of time  |  PHHH Investments No 2 Pty Ltd v United Commercial Projects Pty Ltd [2018] VSC 15
• Respondent will not be wound up where 'genuine dispute' exists  |  Re Advanced Controls Pty Ltd [2018] VSC 639
• Excluded amounts – when a claim for payment is a claim to 'recoup' liquidated damages  |  Shape Australia v The Nuance Group [2018] VSC 808
• The Victorian Security of Payment Act applies to prefabrication work carried out in Victoria for erection in Tasmania  |  South City Plaster Pty Ltd v Modscape Pty Ltd [2018] VCC 1576
• Does a reference date for final payment arise following termination of a contract?  |  Vanguard Development Group Pty Ltd v Promax Building Developments Pty Ltd & Anor [2018] VSC 386

Western Australia

• In itself, being successful in an adjudication determination isn't proof that a 'construction contract' exists for SOPA purposes  |  Easy Stay Mining Accommodation Pty Ltd v Grounded Construction Group Pty Ltd [2018] FCA 519