Welsh v Digilin Pty Ltd (ACN 078 278 449) [2008] FCAFC 149

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Welsh v Digilin Pty Ltd (ACN 078 278 449) [2008] FCAFC 149

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – interlocutory decision of single judge – guillotine order under O 35A r 3(1)(c) Federal Court Rules dismissing proceedings in event of non-payment of taxed interlocutory costs by appellant – whether judge erred in exercise of discretion under O 35A r 3(1)(c) – whether possible impecuniosity of appellant precludes dismissal of proceedings in such circumstances

Held: appeal dismissed – primary judge properly exercised discretion in O 35A r 3(1)(c) – justice between the parties is paramount

Federal Court Rules O 35A r 3(1)

Cadbury Schweppes Pty Ltd v Darrell Lea Chocolate Shops Pty Ltd [2004] FCA 1718 cited Cox v Journeaux (No 2) (1935) 52 CLR 713 cited Gao v Zhang (2005) 14 VR 380 considered Graham v Sutton, Carden & Co [1897] 2 Ch 367 cited Hadkinson v Hadkinson (1952) P 285 cited Hines v Birkbeck College (No 2) [1992] 1 Ch 33 cited House v R (1936) 55 CLR 499 cited In re Payne. Randle v Payne (1883) 23 Ch D 288 cited In re Wickham. Marony v Taylor (1887) 35 Ch D 272 cited Lenijamar Pty Ltd v AGC (Advances) Ltd (1990) 27 FCR 388 cited Morton v Palmer (1882) 9 QBD 89 cited Phillip Morris Ltd v Attorney-General for the State of Victoria (2006) 14 VR 538 cited Thames Investment & Securities Plc v Benjamin (1984) 1 WLR 1381 cited Welsh v Digilin Pty Ltd [2007] FCA 2064 affirmed Welsh v Digilin Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 78 cited Wu v Avin Operations Pty Ltd [2006] FCA 36 cited JAMES ANGUS WELSH v DIGILIN PTY LTD (ACN 078 278 449), DIGILIN HOLDINGS PTY LTD (ACN 010 581 058), JONATHON DAVIS and LORELLE TAYLOR

QUD 2 OF 2008

TAMBERLIN, GREENWOOD AND COLLIER JJ

19 AUGUST 2008

BRISBANE (VIA VIDEO LINK TO SYDNEY)

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND DISTRICT REGISTRY QUD 2 OF 2008