Williams & Roffry Bros basically said that in an event where:
1. A contracts B to do something for A (lets say building a table).
2. Before B finishes building a table, B realises that he may not be able to build the table because he can't afford the materials.
3. A then realises this and pays B extra to help buy the materials.
4. A obtains a practical benefit as a result, or avoids a detriment
5. B didn't induce A through fraud, undue influence.
Then as such, it is good consideration. It's basically a work around the issue that past consideration is not good consideration (right Frigid/Hfis/Melissa?)
Anyways, Mesumci basically introduced the who notion into Australia, it basically included some slight modifications:
- it made sure the practical benefit obtains/detriment avoided is worth more to the A & B than the benefit of remedies or relief.
- added a few more elements such as unfair dealings, unconscionable conduct, pressure, duress etc...
- included pratical benefit to cover monetary aspects, not just the act of doing something
Lastly, keep in mind its a NSWSC decision and hasn't been approved by the HCA yet... so it may be challengable.