Batterham v Goldberg [2014] FCAFC 136

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Batterham v Goldberg [2014] FCAFC 136 Citation: Batterham v Goldberg [2014] FCAFC 136

Appeal from: Batterham v Goldberg & Ors [2014] FCCA 302

Parties: PETER JAMES BATTERHAM v TERENCE LOUIS GOLDBERG, ARMANDO GARDMAN and THADY BLUNDELL

File number: NSD 239 of 2014

Judges: JACOBSON, WHITE AND GLEESON JJ

Date of judgment: 15 October 2014

Catchwords: BANKRUPTCY – appeal from decision of Federal Circuit Court to dismiss application to set aside bankruptcy notice – where debt claimed is judgment debt obtained in reliance on a costs assessment for counsel fees under Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW) – where counsel fees incurred in relation to High Court proceedings – whether costs assessment was made pursuant to laws inconsistent with High Court Rules 2004 (Cth) – appeal dismissed

Legislation: Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 40(3), 41 Constitution s 71, 73, 77, 109 High Court of Australia Act 1979 (Cth) s 17, 30, 48 High Court Rules 1928 (Cth) Or LIV r 10 High Court Rules 2004 (Cth) rr 6.01, 50.01, 50.02, 50.03, 51.02.2, 52, 53.02, 53.05, 54.01, 54.02.4, 56.09.3, 56.09.6, 57.01, 57.03 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) ss 26, 78B, 86 Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW) s 4, 83, 345, 367, 368, 373, 384, 385 Supreme Court Act 1928 (Vic)

Cases cited: Abigroup Ltd v Abignano (1992) 39 FCR 74 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Forge (2003) 133 FCR 487; 48 ACSR 474 Batterham v QSR Ltd (2006) 225 CLR 237 Corney v Brien (1951) 84 CLR 343 Franks v Equititrust Ltd [2012] FMCA 1180 Integrated Computer Services Pty Ltd v Digital Equipment Corp (Aust) Pty Ltd (1988) 5 BPR 11,110 Keith Hercules & Sons v Steedman (1987) 17 FCR 290 O'Sullivan v Noarlunga Meat Ltd (1954) 92 CLR 565 Re Athans; Ex Parte Athans (1991) 29 FCR 302 Re Briggs; Ex Parte Briggs v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (WA) (1986) 12 FCR 310 Victoria v The Commonwealth (1937) 58 CLR 618 Woolf v Snipe (1933) 48 CLR 677 Wren v Mahony (1972) 126 CLR 212