CONTRACTS – illegality – contracts contrary to public policy – whether contract was one to commit an unlawful act, namely to delay the payment of stamp duty – consideration of the circumstances in which a court may enforce a contract even if its formation or performance is associated with illegal purposes – Fitzgerald v FJ Leonhardt Pty Ltd (1997) 189 CLR 215 – Nelson v Nelson (1995) 184 CLR 538

EQUITY – equitable remedies – specific performance – whether respondent should be denied an order for specific performance of a contract for sale on the ground of illegality of the contract

EQUITY – defences – unclean hands – whether conduct disentitling respondent to relief – Dewhirst v Edwards [1983] 1 NSWLR 34 – respondent’s supposed impropriety was incidental or collateral to the contract – respondent’s impugned conduct had ceased – primary judge was correct in rejecting the defence

Led by Justin Doyle for the successful respondent,