KGL Health Pty Limited v Mechtler [2007] FCA 1411

KGL Health Pty Limited v Mechtler [2007] FCA 1411

Summary judgment should not be entered, and the defence of abatement under clause 11 and possible relief under s 87 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) raise arguable matters that should be heard at final hearing. The pleadings may be amended to clarify reliance on s 87.

Parties
First Applicant: KGL Health Pty Limited; Second Applicant/first Cross Respondent: Peninsula Hospital Management Pty Limited; First Respondent: Dr Anton Edwin Mechtler; Second Respondent: Dr Keith Ronald Burgess; Third Respondent: Dr Frank Durrell Elsworth; Fourth Respondent: Dr Robert James Melville; Fifth Respondent: Dr Brett Gregory Adams; Sixth Respondent: Dr Michael Seager Stephen; Seventh Respondent: Dr Peter Bryce Williams; Eighth Respondent: Dr Nigel Frederick Watson Ackroyd; Ninth Respondent: Dr Timothy Wilson; Tenth Respondent/cross Claimant: Rosanza Pty Limited; Eleventh Respondent: Varlak Investments Pty Limited; Twelfth Respondent: Nebiac Pty Limited; Thirteenth Respondent: Foothills Pty Limited; Fourteenth Respondent: Fidaki Pty Limited; Fifteenth Respondent: Peninsula Vascular Diagnostics Pty Limited; Sixteenth Respondent: Patricia Silvia Melville; Seventeenth Respondent: R.J. Melville Pty Limited; Eighteenth Respondent: Tonrap Pty Limited; Nineteenth Respondent: Sophie Wilson; Second Cross Respondent: Gilbert Richard Lumsdaine; Third Cross Respondent: Phillip Leslie King; Fourth Cross Respondent: Stephen John Gracie
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
12 September 2007
Procedural Posture
Application for Summary Dismissal and to Strike Out Defence to Amended Cross Claim / Interlocutory Ruling on Motion
Outcome
Tenth respondent/cross-claimant's motion dismissed; leave granted to amend Defence; each party to pay its own costs.
Legal Topics
Summary Dismissal, Striking Out Pleadings, Set Off, Abatement, Section 87 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (cth)
Practice and Procedure Contract Law Trade Practices Summary Dismissal Striking Out Pleadings Set Off Abatement Section 87 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (cth)

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Parties

KGL Health Pty Limited

First Applicant

Peninsula Hospital Management Pty Limited

Second Applicant/first Cross Respondent

Dr Anton Edwin Mechtler

First Respondent

Dr Keith Ronald Burgess

Second Respondent

Dr Frank Durrell Elsworth

Third Respondent

Dr Robert James Melville

Fourth Respondent

Dr Brett Gregory Adams

Fifth Respondent

Dr Michael Seager Stephen

Sixth Respondent

Dr Peter Bryce Williams

Seventh Respondent

Dr Nigel Frederick Watson Ackroyd

Eighth Respondent

Dr Timothy Wilson

Ninth Respondent

Rosanza Pty Limited

Tenth Respondent/cross Claimant

Varlak Investments Pty Limited

Eleventh Respondent

Nebiac Pty Limited

Twelfth Respondent

Foothills Pty Limited

Thirteenth Respondent

Fidaki Pty Limited

Fourteenth Respondent

Peninsula Vascular Diagnostics Pty Limited

Fifteenth Respondent

Patricia Silvia Melville

Sixteenth Respondent

R.J. Melville Pty Limited

Seventeenth Respondent

Tonrap Pty Limited

Eighteenth Respondent

Sophie Wilson

Nineteenth Respondent

Gilbert Richard Lumsdaine

Second Cross Respondent

Phillip Leslie King

Third Cross Respondent

Stephen John Gracie

Fourth Cross Respondent

Procedural Posture

Application for Summary Dismissal and to Strike Out Defence to Amended Cross Claim / Interlocutory Ruling on Motion

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Defence to the Amended Cross-Claim should be struck out
  2. 2 Whether summary judgment should be entered for unpaid rent under a lease
  3. 3 Whether set-off and abatement defences are valid in light of the lease and Trade Practices Act

Ratio Decidendi

Summary judgment should not be entered, and the defence of abatement under clause 11 and possible relief under s 87 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) raise arguable matters that should be heard at final hearing. The pleadings may be amended to clarify reliance on s 87.

Court Disposition

Tenth respondent/cross-claimant's motion dismissed; leave granted to amend Defence; each party to pay its own costs.

Orders

  • The tenth respondent's/cross-claimant's motion be dismissed.
  • Leave be granted to the cross-respondents to amend the Defence to the Amended Cross-Claim in accordance with these reasons.