Catchwords:

NEGLIGENCE – duty of care to avoid economic loss – whether vulnerability required – applicants pleaded vulnerability as an essential element of duty – no obligation on primary judge to consider alternatives to that position – no relevant vulnerability due to applicants’ ability to protect themselves from consequences of liquidators’ actions

CONSUMER LAW – misleading or deceptive conduct – whether reliance on accuracy of recitals to deed – clear inference from evidence that person knew of true position

CONSUMER LAW – misleading or deceptive conduct – whether conduct “in trade or commerce” – court-appointed liquidators performing statutory functions – assignment of property with view to facilitating business interests of purchaser arguably had an essentially trading or commercial character

CORPORATIONS – leave to commence action against court-appointed liquidators – governing principles – relevance of lengthy and inadequately explained delay