Pattison v Hadjimouratis [2006] FCAFC 153

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pattison v Hadjimouratis [2006] FCAFC 153

BANKRUPTCY – Appeal by a trustee of a bankrupt's estate from an order of a Federal Magistrate setting aside a sequestration order made by a Registrar – Federal Magistrate hearing a review pursuant to s 104(2) of the Federal Magistrates Act 1999 (Cth) – whether the Federal Magistrate should have made an additional order pursuant to s 153B of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) annulling the bankruptcy – whether upon setting aside a sequestration order an annulment order should also be made to allow the trustee in bankruptcy to recover his remuneration and expenses.

Cross appeal – respondent ordered to pay appellant's costs on the respondent's successful application to set aside a sequestration order – whether Federal Magistrate should have made an order for costs.

Held – Appeal – Federal Magistrate had a discretion to make an order annulling the bankrupt's bankruptcy in addition to setting aside the sequestration order – no error shown in the exercise of the Federal Magistrate refusing to make an annulment order – appeal dismissed.

Held – Cross appeal – no error shown in the exercise of the Federal Magistrate's discretion on costs – cross appeal dismissed.

Bankruptcy Act 1924-1933 (Cth) s 26, s 124 Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 19, s 27, s 43, s 52, s 58, s 73, s 74, s 149, s 153A, s 153B, s 154 Bankruptcy Act Amendment Act 1991 (Cth) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 24 Federal Magistrates Act 1999 (Cth) s 102, s 103, s 104

Bankruptcy Regulations Federal Court Rules, O 35, r 7 Federal Magistrates Court Rules, r 16.05, r 20.00A, r 20.02, r 20.03, r 21.01, r 29, r 35.02, r 35.03, r 35.04 Federal Magistrates Court (Bankruptcy) Rules 2006, r 7.02, r 7.03, r 7.04

Adsett v Berlouis (1992) 37 FCR 201 cited Cameron v Cole (1944) 68 CLR 571 cited Clyne v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (1984) 154 CLR 589 considered Commonwealth of Australia v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (2000) 98 FCR 31 cited Delph Sing v Wood (1918) 25 CLR 497 cited Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Clyne (1984) 4 FCR 156 cited Harrington v Lowe (1996) 190 CLR 311 cited Harris v Caladine (1991) 172 CLR 84 cited House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 referred to Kyriackou v Shield Mercantile Pty Ltd (2004) 138 FCR 324 considered Kyriackou v Shield Mercantile Pty Ltd (No 2) [2004] FCA 1338 considered Oates v Commissioner of Taxation (1990) 27 FCR 289 referred to Rangott v Marshall (2004) 139 FCR 14 considered Registrar of Aboriginal Corporation v Murnkurni Women's Aboriginal Corporation (1995) 137 ALR 404 cited Re Coyle and Another (1993) 42 FCR 72 referred to Re Deriu (1970) 16 FLR 420 considered Re Gollan; Ex parte Gollan (1992) 40 FCR 38 considered Re Hayes; Ex parte Hayes (1984) 59 ALR 219 referred to Re Sarina; Ex parte Wollondilly Shire Council (1980) 32 ALR 596 cited Re Stubberfield; Ex parte Paradise Grove Pty Ltd (1995) 134 ALR 169 cited Simon v Vincent J O'Gorman Pty Ltd (1979) 27 ALR 619; (1979) 41 FLR 95 cited Southern Motors Pty Ltd v Australian Guarantee Corporation Ltd [1980] VR 187 cited Sweeney v Fitzhardinge & Ors (1906) 4 CLR 716 cited Symons v Bateman [1999] FCA 658 considered The Austral Brick Company Pty Ltd v Daskalovski (Unreported, Emmett J, 23 June 1998) considered The Commissioner for Railways (New South Wales) v Cavanough (1935) 53 CLR 220 cited The Queen v Davison (1954) 90 CLR 353 cited Turnbull v New South Wales Medical Board (1976) 2 NSWLR 281 cited Wenkart v Pantzer (2003) 132 FCR 204 Wren v Mahony (1972) 126 CLR 212 cited