Turnkey Innovative Engineering Pty Ltd v Witron Australia Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 981

Turnkey Innovative Engineering Pty Ltd v Witron Australia Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 981

The email did not constitute a valid payment schedule because, although it indicated a nil scheduled amount and gave a reason for withholding payment as to the contract works component, it failed to indicate reasons for withholding payment for the variations component, which was a significant part of the claim, and therefore did not comply with s 14(3) of the Act.

Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
18 August 2023
Procedural Posture
Principal Judgment / Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for the plaintiff
Legal Topics
['payment Schedule Validity' 'security of Payment Act' 'contract Variation']

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 1 Authorities cited 2 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Procedural Posture

Principal Judgment / Judgment

  1. 1 ['Whether the email sent by the defendant constituted a valid payment schedule for the purpose of s 14 of the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW)' 'Whether the email indicated the amount the respondent proposed to pay' 'Whether the email indicated the reasons for withholding payment']

Ratio Decidendi

The email did not constitute a valid payment schedule because, although it indicated a nil scheduled amount and gave a reason for withholding payment as to the contract works component, it failed to indicate reasons for withholding payment for the variations component, which was a significant part of the claim, and therefore did not comply with s 14(3) of the Act.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the plaintiff

Orders

  • ['The Contractor is entitled to judgment.' 'Parties to bring in short minutes to give effect to these reasons.']