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Professor John Carter

Profile

Degrees

BA LLB Sydney PhD Camb

Courses Taught

  • Personal Property
  • Contracts
  • Restitution
  • Remedies
  • Advanced Contracts

Areas of Interest

  • Contracts
  • Commercial Law and Restitution

Brief Biographical Detail

John Carter was born in England in 1953. He settled in Australia in 1960. After completing Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees at the University of Sydney in 1974 and 1976, he spent a year as Associate to the Hon Mr Justice Franki of the Federal Court of Australia. In 1978 he returned to England as a WÿM Tapp Research Student at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He graduated Doctor of Philosophy in 1981. In that year he took up a Lectureship in the Faculty of Law of the University of Sydney. Following promotions to senior lecturer and Associate Professor in 1986 and 1990 respectively, he was awarded a personal chair in the field of Commercial Law in 1995.

In 1988 Professor Carter established the Journal of Contract Law, of which he is the General Editor. He was also Executive Editor of the Sydney Law Review between 1990 and 1991. Between 1986 and 1989 Professor Carter served as consultant and part-time Commissioner to the Law Reform Commission of New South Wales.

Specialising in Contract, Commercial Law and Restitution Professor Carter has written extensively in all these areas. He has published three major works. First, Breach of Contract, based on his doctoral thesis and now in its 2nd ed, 1991, published jointly by Law Book Co Ltd, Sydney and Sweet & Maxwell, London. Second, Contract Law in Australia, with Professor DÿJ Harland of Sydney Law School, published by Butterworths, Sydney and now in its 3rd ed, 1996. Third, Restitution Law in Australia (the first Australian work analysing the subject restitution), with Justice Mason, President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal, published by Butterworths, Sydney in 1995. Professor Carter is the author of three titles in Halsbury's Laws of Australia: Contract, Restitution (with Keith Mason and Andrew Bulley) and Sale of Goods.

Professor Carter is a consultant to Freehill Hollingdale & Page, solicitors. He is also Chairman of the Education Committee of the Commercial Law Association of Australia and Director of Continuing Legal Education, in the Faculty of Law of the University of Sydney.

Publications


Books | Chapters in Larger Works | Articles | Comments and Notes | Book Reviews | Reports and Discussion Papers | Conference Papers

Books

  • Mason, K, Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, Mason & Carter's Restitution Law in Australia, LexisNexis Butterworths: Sydney (2008)
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, & Tolhurst G J, Contract Law of Australia, LexisNexis: Sydney (5th ed, 2007).
  • Carter, J W, Peden, E & Tolhurst, GJ, Cases and materials on contract law in Australia, LexisNexis Butterworths: Sydney (5th ed, 2007).
  • Carter, J, Carter's Guide to Australian Contract Law, LexisNexis: Sydney (2006)
  • Carter, J & Harland, D J, Cases and Materials on Contract Law in Australia, Butterworths: Sydney (3rd ed, 2004).
  • Carter, J & Harland, D J, Contract Law in Australia, LexisNexis Butterworths: Sydney (4th ed, 2002).
  • Carter, J, Carter on Contract (looseleaf), Butterworths: Sydney (2002).
  • Carter, J & Harland, D J, Supplement to Cases and Materials on Contract Law in Australia, Butterworths: Sydney (2nd ed, 1996).
  • Carter, J & Mason, K, Restitution Law in Australia, Butterworths: Sydney (1995).
  • Carter, J, Outline of Contract Law in Australia, Butterworths: Sydney (2nd ed, 1994).
  • Carter, J, Lane, P, Tolhurst, G & Peden, E, Helmore's Commercial Law and Personal Property (NSW), Law Book Co Ltd: Sydney (10th ed, 1992).
  • Carter, J, Breach of Contract, Law Book Co Ltd: Sydney, and Sweet & Maxwell: London (2nd ed, 1991).
  • Carter, J (ed), Rights and Remedies for Breach of Contract, Committee for Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Law, University of Sydney (1987).

Chapters in Larger Works

  • Carter, J, "Termination of Part of a Contract" in G Tolhurst & E Peden (eds) Commercial Issues in Contract Law, Ross Parsons Centre of Commercial, Corporate and Taxation Law: Sydney (2008) 98-111.
  • Carter, J, "Termination” in M Furmston (ed), The Law of Contract, LexisNexis Butterworths: London (2nd ed, 2003), 1317-1400.
  • Carter, J, "Restitution" title 370 of Halsbury's Laws of Australia, Butterworths: Sydney (1997).
  • Carter, J, "Restitution and Contract Risk" in M McInnes (ed), Restitution: Developments in Unjust Enrichment, Law Book Co Ltd: Sydney (1996), 131-161.
  • Carter, J, "Suspending Contract Performance for Breach" in J Beatson & D Friedmann (eds), Good Faith and Fault in Contract Law, Clarendon Press: Oxford (1995), 485-522.
  • Carter, J, "Sale of Goods" title 375 of Halsbury's Laws of Australia, Butterworths: Sydney (1995), 350 plus index.
  • Carter, J, "Anticipatory Breach" in Current Developments in International Transfers of Goods and Services, Butterworths: Singapore (1994), 227-66.
  • Carter, J & Stewart, A, "Australia" in R Blanpain (ed), International Encyclopaedia of Laws, a comparative work, Kluwer Law and Taxation Publishers: Deventer, The Netherlands and Boston (1994), 216.
  • Carter, J, "Law of Obligations in Australia" in F R Perez (ed), Centenario del Codigo Civil by Distribuciones Oficiales Reunidas SA, Spain (1993), Vol V-1, 315-330.
  • Carter, J, "Australia" in Remedies for International Sellers of Goods, Sweet & Maxwell: London, under auspices of Centre for International Legal Studies, Salzburg Austria (1993), AUS1-51.
  • Carter, J, "Contract" title 110 of Halsbury's Laws of Australia, Butterworths: Sydney (1992), cxii + 1000.
  • Carter, J, "Australia" in E W Hondius (ed), Precontractual Liability, Kluwer Law and Taxation Publishers: Deventer, The Netherlands and Boston (1991), 29-39. Also: Australian Law and Thinking Between the Decades (ed Alice E-S Tay), Faculty of Law, University of Sydney.
  • Carter, J, "Ineffective Transactions" in P D Finn (ed) Essays on Restitution, Law Book Co Ltd: Sydney (1990), 206-240.
  • Carter, J & Lane, P, "Misrepresentation" in Australian Commentary to Halsbury's Laws of England, Butterworths: Sydney (1989), ppxvii + 52.
  • Carter, J, "The Right to Terminate"Rights and Remedies for Breach of Contract, Committee for Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Law, University of Sydney (1987), 1-23.
  • Carter, J & White, R, "Evidence" in Australian Commentary to Halsbury's Laws of England (Review Editor), Butterworths: Sydney (1978), xxxii + 82.
  • Carter, J, "Boundaries" in Australian Commentary to Halsbury's Laws of England (Australian Revising Editor), Butterworths: Sydney (1977), xx + 40.

Articles

  • Carter, J & Courtney, W, 'Indemnities against breach as agreed damages clauses' Journal of Business Law (2012 forthcoming)
  • Tolhurst, G, Carter, J & Peden, E, 'Masters v Cameron - Again!' (2011) 42(1) Victoria University of Wellington Law Review 49-64
  • Courtney, W & Carter, J, 'Indemnities Against Breach and Settlements of Third Party Claims' (2011) 27(3) Journal of Contract Law 265-278
  • Furmston, M & Carter, J, 'Indemnities for the Benefit of Others' (2011) 27(1) Journal of Contract Law 82-90
  • Carter, J and Goh, Y, 'Concurrent and Independent Rights to Terminate for Breach of Contract' (2010) 26(2) Journal of Contract Law 103-133
  • Carter, J, 'Exclusion of Liability for Consequential Loss' (2009) 25(2) Journal of Contract Law 118-134
  • Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, 'Recovery of Contract Debts Following Termination for Breach' (2009) 25(3) Journal of Contract Law 191-215
  • Carter, J, 'Contractual Indemnities: Are They Worth Having?' (2009) 28 Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal 169-175
  • McDonald, B & Carter, J, 'The Lottery of Contractual Risk Allocation and Proportionate Liability' (2009) 26(1) Journal of Contract Law 1-24
  • Carter, J, ‘Commercial Construction and Contract Doctrine’ (2009) 25(1) Journal of Contract Law 83-94
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, ‘Damages Following Termination for Repudiation: Taking Account of Later Events’ (2008) 24(2) Journal of Contract Law 145-175
  • Carter, J, ' Termination of Trustees’ Contracts' (2008) 21(1) Commercial Law Quarterly 3-13
  • Carter, J, ‘Intermediate Terms Arrive in Australia and Singapore’ (2008) 24(3) Journal of Contract Law 226-250
  • Carter, J, ‘Partial Termination of Contracts’ (2008) 24(1) Journal of Contract Law 1-27
  • Carter, J W, Peden, E, Stammer, K, ‘Contractual Restrictions and Rights under Copyright Legislation' (2007) 23 (1&2) Journal of Contract Law 32-54
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, ‘A Good Faith Perspective on Liquidated Damages’ (2007) 23(3) Journal of Contract Law 157-179
  • Carter, J W, & Peden, E, ‘Agreed Damages Clauses - Back to the Future?’ (2006) 22(2) Journal of Contract Law 189-198
  • Carter, J W, & Peden, E, ‘Entire Agreement Clauses’ (2006) 22(1) Journal of Contract Law 1-15
  • Carter, J W, Tolhurst, G & Peden, E, ‘Developing the Intermediate Term Concept’ (2006) 22(3) Journal of Contract Law 268-286
  • Carter, J W, & Peden, E, ‘Taking Stock: The High Court and Contract Construction’ (2005) 21 Journal of Contract Law 172-181
  • Carter, J W, & Peden, E, ‘The 'Natural meaning' of contracts’ (2005) 21(3) Journal of Contract Law 277-286
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, 'Incorporation of Terms by Signature: L'Estrange Rules!' (2005) 21 Journal of Contract Law 96-106
  • Carter, J W, & Yates, D, ‘Perspectives on Commercial Construction and the Canada SS Case’ (2004) 20(3) Journal of Contract Law 233-246
  • Carter, J W, & Tolhurst, G, ‘Relief against Forfeiture in the High Court of Australia’ (2004) 20(1) Journal of Contract Law 74-85
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, ‘Liability Provisions in Contract: indemnities, guarantees and exclusions’ (2004) 18(1) Commercial Law Quarterly 12-18.
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, ‘Consumers beware: the loss of contractual protection for recreational risks’ (2004) 3(1) Australian Civil Liability 33-35.
  • Carter, J, Peden, E & Tolhurst, G, ‘When Three just isn’t enough: the Fourth Category of the 'Subject to contract' cases’ (2004) 20 Journal of Contract Law 156-166.
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, ‘Good faith in Australian contract law’ (2004) Jan/Feb Australian Construction Law Newsletter 6-17.
  • Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, ‘Roxborough v Rothmans of Pall Mall’ (2003) 19 Journal of Contract Law 287-299.
  • Carter, J & Stewart, A, ‘The High Court and Contract Law in the New Millennium’ (2003) 6 Flinders Journal of Law Reform 185-215.
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, ‘Good Faith in Australian Contract Law’ (2003) 19 Commercial Law Quarterly 15-22.
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, ‘Good Faith in Australian Contract Law’ (2003) 19 Journal of Contract Law 155-172.
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, ‘A contract law perspective of the Civil Liability Amendment (Personal Responsibility) Bill 2002 (NSW)’ (2002) 54 Plaintiff 19-21.
  • Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, ‘Acceptance of Benefit as a Basis for Restitution’ (2002) 18(1-2) Journal of Contract Law 52-74.
  • Carter, J & Stewart, A, ‘Interpretation, Good Faith and the 'True Meaning' of Contracts: The Royal Botanical Decision’ (2002) 18(3) Journal of Contract Law 182-195.
  • Carter, J & Stewart, A, ‘The Effect of Formalising an Employment Contract: The High Court Misses an Opportunity’ (2001) 17 Journal of Contract Law 181-192.
  • Carter, J, ‘Auction 'Without Reserve' - Barry v Davies’ (2001) 17 Journal of Contract Law 69-75.
  • Carter, J, ‘Contractual Issues for Trustees’ (2001) 17 Journal of Contract Law 274-296.
  • Carter, J, ‘Conditional Payments and Failure of Consideration: Contract of Restitution?’ (2001) 9(1) Asia Pacific Law Review 1-22.
  • Carter, J & Peden, E, ‘The bonds of partnership’ (2000) 16 Journal of Contract Law 275-285.
  • Carter, J, ‘Converging liabilities and security of contract: contributory negligence in Australian law’ (2000) 16 Journal of Contract Law 78-101.
  • Carter, J and Vrisakis, A, ‘Restitution of payments made under contracts prohibited by statute’ (2000) 15 Journal of Contract Law 228-241.
  • Carter, J, ‘The renegotiation of contracts’ (1998) 13 Journal of Contract Law 185-198.
  • Carter, J, ‘Shipbuilding contracts: Not quite the final chapter’ (1998) 13 Journal of Contract Law 156-165.
  • Carter, J, ‘Shipbuilding contracts: Take 2’ (1998) 12 Journal of Contract Law 247-254.
  • Carter, J, ‘Remedial choice and contract drafting’ (1998) 13 Journal of Contract Law 5-34.
  • Carter, J W, & Tolhurst, G, ‘Implied terms: Redefining the new law’ (1997) 12 Journal of Contract Law 152-159
  • Carter, J, ‘Discharged Contracts: Claims for Restitution’ (1997) 11 Journal of Contract Law 130-147.
  • Carter, J & Skapinker, D, ‘Breach of Contract and Misleading or Deceptive Conduct in Australia’ (1997) 113 Law Quarterly Review 294-320.
  • Carter, J, ‘'Commercial' Construction and the Canada SS Rules’ (1995) 9 Journal of Contract Law 69-103.
  • Carter, J & Furmston, M, ‘Good Faith and Fairness in the Negotiation of Contracts Part II’ (1995) 8 Journal of Contract Law 93-119.
  • Carter, J, Phang, A & Poole, J, ‘Reactions to Williams v Roffey’ (1995) 8 Journal of Contract Law 248-271.
  • Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, ‘Restitution: Payments Made Prior to Discharge of Contract’ (1994) 7 Journal of Contract Law 273-288.
  • Carter, J & Furmston, M, ‘Good Faith and Fairness in the Negotiation of Contracts Part I’ (1994) 8 Journal of Contract Law 1-15.
  • Carter, J, ‘Contract, Estoppel and Unconscionability’ (1993) 1 The Judicial Review 129-157.
  • Carter, J, ‘Problems in Enforcement Part II’ (1993) 6 Journal of Contract Law 1-18.
  • Carter, J, ‘Party Autonomy and Statutory Regulation: Sale of Goods’ (1993) 6 Journal of Contract Law 93-122.
  • Carter, J & Stewart, A, ‘Commerce and Conscience: The High Court's Developing View of Contract’ (1993) 23 University of Western Australia Law Review 49-73.
  • Carter, J, ‘Problems in Enforcement Part I’ (1992) 5 Journal of Contract Law 199-219.
  • Carter, J & Phillips, J C, ‘The Liability of Debtors and Guarantors Under Contracts Discharged for Breach’ (1992) 22 University of Western Australia Law Review 338-374.
  • Carter, J & Stewart, A, ‘Frustrated Contracts and Statutory Adjustment: The Case For a Reappraisal’ (1992) Cambridge Law Journal 66-112.
  • Carter, J, ‘Waiver (of Contractual Rights) Distributed’ (1991) 4 Journal of Contract Law 59-74.
  • Carter, J, ‘Conditions and Conditions Precedent’ (1991) 4 Journal of Contract Law 90-106.
  • Carter, J, ‘Contract, Restitution and Promissory Estoppel’ (1990) 12 University of New South Wales Law Journal 30-58.
  • Carter, J &Hunter, H O, ‘Quantum Meruit and Building Contracts Part II’ (1990) 2 Journal of Contract Law 189-205.
  • Carter, J, ‘Services Rendered Under Ineffective Contracts’ (1990) Lloyds Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly 495-519.
  • Carter, J, ‘Termination Clauses’ (1990) 3 Journal of Contract Law 90-125.
  • Carter, J & Hunter, H O, ‘Quantum Meruit and Building Contracts Part I’ (1989) 2 Journal of Contract Law 95-114.
  • Carter, J, ‘The Effect of Discharge of a Contract on the Assessment of Damages for Breach or Repudiation’ (Pt II) (1989) 1 Journal of Contract Law 249-264.
  • Carter, J, ‘The Effect of Discharge of a Contract on the Assessment of Damages for Breach or Repudiation’ (Pt I) (1988) 1 Journal of Contract Law 113-133.
  • Carter, J & Hill, J, ‘Repudiation of Leases: Further Developments’ (1986) The Conveyancer and Property Lawyer 262-271.
  • Carter, J, ‘The Embiricos Principle and the Law of Anticipatory Breach’ (1984) 47 Modern Law Review 422-436.
  • Carter, J, ‘The Breach of Unilateral Contracts’ (1982) 11 Anglo-American Law Review 169-213.
  • Carter, J & Hodgekiss, C, ‘Conditions and Warranties: Forebears and Descendants’ (1977) 8 Sydney Law Review 31-67.

Comments and Notes

  • Carter, J, ‘Shipbuilding Contracts: the Interaction of Contractual Rights and Common Law Remedies’ (1997) Journal of Contract Law.
  • Carter, J, ‘Failure to Perform as 'Acceptance' of a Repudiation’ (1997) Journal of Contract Law.
  • Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, ‘Restitution for Failure of Consideration’ (1997) 11 Journal of Contract Law 162-171.
  • Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, ‘The New Law on Implied Terms’ (1996) 11 Journal of Contract Law 76-88.
  • Carter, J, ‘Adequate Assurance of Due Performance’ (1996) 11 Journal of Contract Law 1-10.
  • Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, ‘Rescission, Equitable Adjustment and Restitution’ (1996) 10 Journal of Contract Law 167-172.
  • Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, ‘Gigs N' Restitution Frustration and the Statutory Adjustment of Payments and Expenses’ (1996) 10 Journal of Contract Law 264-270.
  • Carter, J & Tolhurst, G, ‘Restitution for Duress’ (1996) 9 Journal of Contract Law 220-225.
  • Carter, J, ‘Commentary on “The Impact of Fairness in Commercial Contracts”’ (1994) 7 Journal of Contract Law 30-33.
  • Carter, J, '”Acceptance” of a Repudiation’ (1994) 7 Journal of Contract Law 156-163.
  • Carter, J, ‘Two Privy Council Cases’ (1993) 6 Journal of Contract Law 266-274.
  • Carter, J, ‘Two Cases on Time Stipulations in Commercial Contracts’ (1992) 5 Journal of Contract Law 60-66.
  • Carter, J & Skapinker, D, ‘Time in Rent Review Procedures: Promise, Condition or Limitation?’ (1992) 5 Journal of Contract Law 127-136.
  • Carter, J, ‘An Uncommon Mistake’ (1991) 3 Journal of Contract Law 237-240.
  • Carter, J, ‘Reform of the Rule in Bain v Fothergill’ (1991) 4 Journal of Contract Law 230-234.
  • Carter, J, ‘Wight v Foran’ (1990) 3 Journal of Contract Law 70-78.
  • Carter, J, ‘A Comment on Wight v Foran’ (1989) 63 Australian Law Journal 269-270.
  • Carter, J, ‘Liquidated Damages and Penalties: The Saga Continues’ (1989) 2 Journal of Contract Law 78-82.
  • Carter, J, ‘The Higher Altitudes of Contract Law’ (1989) Lloyd's Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly 81-88.
  • Carter, J & Phillips, J C, ‘The Demise of Hoyt's Pty Ltd v Spencer’ (1989) 2 Journal of Contract Law 181-184.
  • Carter, J, ‘Anticipating Confusion’ (1988) Lloyd's Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly 21-23.
  • Carter, J, ‘Deposits, Accured Rights and Damages’ (1988) 104 Law Quarterly Review 207-212.
  • Carter, J, ‘The Parol Evidence Rule: The Law Commission's Conclusions’ (1988) 1 Journal of Contract Law 33-42.
  • Carter, J & Yates, D, ‘Export Licences, Standard of Duty and Force Majeure’ (1988) 1 Journal of Contract Law 7-63.
  • Carter, J & Phillips, J C, ‘Construction of Contracts of Guarantee and the Hong Kong Fir Case’ (1988) 1 Journal of Contract Law 70-79.
  • Carter, J, ‘Chattel Leases: Penalties and Damages’ (1987) 1 Commercial Law Quarterly 9-10.
  • Carter, J & Hill, J, ‘Severance, Illegal Contracts and Company Law’ (1986) 4 Companies and Securities Law Journal 183-188.
  • Carter, J & Marston, G, ‘Repudiation of Contract whether Election Fettered’ (1985) Cambridge Law Journal 18-21.
  • Carter, J, ‘Sale of Goods: Termination and Damages’ (1985) 101 Law Quarterly Review 167-170.
  • Carter, J, ‘Repudiation of Leases’ (1985) The Conveyancer and Property Lawyer 289-292.
  • Carter, J, ‘The Implication of Contractual Terms The Parol Evidence Rule Frustration’ (1983) Cambridge Law Journal 199-201.
  • Carter, J, ‘Non-Payment of Deposit Due Under Contract for Sale of Land’ (1983) 99 Law Quarterly Review 503-506.
  • Carter, J, ‘The Life of an Agent in Commerce is a Precarious One’ (1982) 45 Modern Law Review 220-224.
  • Carter, J, ‘Vendor and Purchaser etc’ (1982) 56 Australian Law Journal 251-253.
  • Carter, J, ‘A Customer's Duty Towards his Banker’ (1982) 98 Law Quarterly Review 19-21.
  • Carter, J, ‘Classification of Contractual Terms: The New Orthodoxy’ (1981) Cambridge Law Journal 219-222.
  • Carter, J, ‘Regrettable Developments in the Law of Contract?’ (1980) Cambridge Law Journal 256-259.
  • Carter, J, ‘Synthesis of the Law of Breach of Contract’ (1979) Cambridge Law Journal 270-273.
  • Carter, J, ‘The Meaning of 'Trading Corporation' in the Commonwealth Constitution’ (1976) 7 Sydney Law Review 457-463.

Book Reviews

  • Carter, J, Lloyd's Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly, pp408-410 (London), 1988.
  • Carter, J, Lloyd's Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly, pp529-533 (London), 1988.
  • Carter, J, Cambridge Law Journal, pp389-391 (Cambridge), 1980.

Reports and Discussion Papers

  • Carter, J, Issues Paper on Sale of Goods, Law Reform Commission of New South Wales, Sydney (1988) ppxv + 87.
  • Carter, J, Representations as to Credit, LRC 57, Law Reform Commission New South Wales, Sydney (1988) ppix + 45 (consultant).
  • Carter, J, Internal Discussion Paper On Sale of Goods Law, pp67 (Sydney), 1986.

Conference Papers

  • Carter, J, 'Indemnities Against Breach of Contract', presented at Contractual Indemnities Conference, Sydney (30 July 2010).
  • Carter, J, ‘Commercial Construction and Contract Doctrine’, presented at the Journal of Contract Law 20th Anniversary Conference: Issues in Commercial Construction, NSW State Library, Sydney (31 October 2008).
  • Carter, J, ‘Termination of Part of a Contract’, presented at the Commercial Law Association of Australia conference Current Issues in Contract Law, Sydney (27 July 2007).
  • Peden, E & Carter, J, ‘A Good Faith Perspective on Liquidated Damages’, presented at the Obligations Conference, University of Queensland Faculty of Law (14 July 2006).
  • Carter, J, ‘ Good Faith in Australian Contract Law’, presented at Contracts 2003, LexisNexis Butterworths, Melbourne (5 August 2003).