Bennell v American Express International Incorporated [2006] FCAFC 80

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Bennell v American Express International Incorporated [2006] FCAFC 80

BANKRUPTCY - bankruptcy notices – order for substituted service – order for amendment to name of party – substitution versus mere misdescription of parties – name of party is clear, regardless of misdescription – no relevant prejudice suffered by other party – party not misled – penal nature of bankruptcy proceedings not a consideration for this matter – s 306 of Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) protects against invalidity for formal defects or irregularities – order for substituted service effective when served Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 306 Adams v Lambert [2006] HCA 10. Kleinwort Benson Australia Ltd v Crowl & Ors (1988) 165 CLR 71 The Australian Steel Company (Operations) Pty Ltd v Lewis (2000) 109 FCR 33 IAN ROBERT BENNELL AND SUSAN JANE BENNELL v AMERICAN EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL INC AND AMERICAN EXPRESS AUSTRALIA LIMITED NSD 2195 of 2005 AMERICAN EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL INC v IAN ROBERT BENNELL AND SUSAN JANE BENNELL NSD 1032 of 2005 NICHOLSON, CONTI AND DOWNES JJ 9 JUNE 2006 SYDNEY IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY NSD 2195 OF 2005

ON APPEAL FROM A JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN: IAN ROBERT BENNELL

FIRST APPELLANT/FIRST CROSS RESPONDENT

SUSAN JANE BENNELL

SECOND APPELLANT/SECOND CROSS RESPONDENT

AND: AMERICAN EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL INC

ACN 000 618 208

FIRST RESPONDENT

AMERICAN EXPRESS AUSTRALIA LIMITED

ACN 108 952 085

SECOND RESPONDENT/ CROSS APPELLANT JUDGE: NICHOLSON, CONTI AND DOWNES JJ

DATE OF ORDER: 9 JUNE 2006

WHERE MADE: SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS:

1. Appeal and cross appeal dismissed with costs