Catchwords:

CONTRACTS — formation — consideration — where new promise made in context of pre-existing contract — whether new promise is no more than promisor already bound to do — whether new promise was a bona fide compromise of a disputed claim

CONTRACTS — illegality — illegal contracts — contracts contrary to public policy — whether it is incongruent with public policy to allow unlicensed agent to retain monies paid to it in breach of agency legislation

RESTITUTION — ineffective transactions — unenforceable contracts — restitution of money paid — where payee in breach of obligation to be licensed under Property and Stock Agents Act 2002 (NSW) and Agents Act 2003 (ACT) — whether payor entitled to restitution of monies paid under contract despite payee’s breach — where legislation expressly excludes quantum meruit claims — where legislation does not provide for recovery of amounts already paid

RESTITUTION — mistake — restitution of money paid — whether payor entitled to restitution of monies paid under mistaken belief that payee could enforce claim to recover such payment — whether payment made as a result of mistaken belief

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION — Agents Act 2003 (ACT) — whether respondent “carries on business as a real estate agent” — meaning of “induce”