Kazal v Thunder Studios Inc (California) [2017] FCAFC 111

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Kazal v Thunder Studios Inc (California) [2017] FCAFC 111 Appeal from: Thunder Studios Inc (California) v Kazal (No 2) [2017] FCA 202

File number: NSD 299 of 2017

Judges: BESANKO, WIGNEY AND BROMWICH JJ

Date of judgment: 31 July 2017

Catchwords: CONTEMPT OF COURT – appeal from orders made by primary judge on conviction and sentences of imprisonment for six convictions for contempt of court – where appellant had been found guilty of contempt of consent orders and contempt by improper pressure on a party to proceedings involving the likelihood of interference with the due administration of justice – where conduct of appellant was egregious – principles on appellate intervention and resentencing – proper construction of consent orders – held: four of six convictions upheld; resentencing to account for erroneous considerations – held: appellant resentenced to a total of 15 months imprisonment

Cases cited: Associated Newspapers Limited v Wavish (1956) 96 CLR 526 Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union v Mudginberri Station Pty Ltd (1986) 161 CLR 98 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Halkalia Pty Ltd (No 3) [2017] FCA 522 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Ltd [2016] FCAFC 181; 340 ALR 25 Australian Consolidated Press Ltd v Morgan (1965) 112 CLR 483 Barbaro v The Queen [2014] HCA 2; 253 CLR 58 Buchanan v Jennings [2004] UKPC 36; [2005] 1 AC 115 CMB v Attorney-General for the State of New South Wales [2015] HCA 9; 256 CLR 346 Connect TV Pty Ltd v All Rounder Investments Pty Ltd (No 4) [2013] FCA 393 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd [2003] FCAFC 13; 196 ALR 350 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Boral Resources (Vic) Pty Ltd [2015] HCA 21; 256 CLR 375 Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Gashi (No 3) [2011] VSC 448; 85 ATR 262 Dinsdale v The Queen [2000] HCA 54; 202 CLR 321 Harkianakis v Skalkos (1997) 42 NSWLR 22 Hili v The Queen [2010] HCA 45; 242 CLR 520 Hinch v Attorney-General (Vic) (1987) 164 CLR 15 Hird v Wood (1894) 38 Sol J 234 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 Infa-Secure Pty Ltd v Crocker (No 2) [2016] FCA 202; 338 ALR 586 John Fairfax & Sons Limited v Cojuangco (1988) 165 CLR 346 John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd v McRae (1995) 93 CLR 351 Kazal v Thunder Studios Inc (California) [2017] FCA 238 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37; 252 CLR 601 Lee v Wilson and Mackinnon (1934) 51 CLR 276 Matthews v ASIC [2009] NSWCA 155 Metcash Trading Ltd v Bunn (No 5) [2009] FCA 16 National Australia Bank Ltd v Juric (No 2) [2001] VSC 398 Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610 R v Baden-Clay [2016] HCA 35; 334 ALR 234 R v Kilic [2016] HCA 48; 339 ALR 229 R v Tait and Bartley (1979) 24 ALR 473 Re Colina; Ex parte Tourney [1997] HCA 57; 200 CLR 386 Re Peat Resources of Australia Pty Ltd; Ex parte Pollock [2004] WASCA 122; 181 FLR 454 Shepherd v The Queen (1990) 170 CLR 573 Smith v The Queen; The Queen v Afford [2017] HCA 19; 91 ALJR 621 The Queen v Pham [2015] HCA 39; 256 CLR 550 Thunder Studios Inc (California) v Kazal [2016] FCA 1598 Thunder Studios Inc (California) v Kazal (No 2) [2016] FCA 202 Tom & Bill Waterhouse Pty Ltd v Racing New South Wales [2008] NSWSC 1013; 72 NSWLR 577 Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd v Sharman Networks Ltd [2006] FCAFC 41; 150 FCR 110 Urbanchich v Drummoyne Municipal Council (1991) Aust Torts Reports 81-127 Vaysman v Deckers Outdoor Corporation Inc [2011] FCAFC 17; 276 ALR 596 Veen v The Queen (No. 2) (1987) 164 CLR 465 Viner v Australian Building Construction Employees' and Builders Labourers' Federation (No. 3) (1982) 63 FLR 242 Webb v Bloch (1928) 41 CLR 331 Weissensteiner v The Queen (1993) 178 CLR 217 Witham v Holloway (1995) 183 CLR 525