CCL Secure Pty Ltd v Berry [2019] FCAFC 81

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

CCL Secure Pty Ltd v Berry [2019] FCAFC 81 Appeal from: Berry v CCL Secure Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1546 Berry v CCL Secure Pty Ltd (No 2) [2018] FCA 1351

File number: NSD 1622 of 2018

Judges: MCKERRACHER, ROBERTSON AND LEE JJ

Date of judgment: 24 May 2019

Catchwords: TRADE PRACTICES – misleading and deceptive conduct – s 52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) – findings relating to conduct at meeting between two participants with no witnesses – whether two oral representations were conveyed to respondents – whether primary judge erred in respect of factual and credit findings including in relation to findings of fraud DAMAGES – statutory compensation – s 82 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) – where quantum to be assessed by reference to the position the respondents would have been in absent contravening conduct – whether primary judge erred in calculation of loss

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth), ss 131(2)(h), 140 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 52, 82

Cases cited: Aldi Foods Pty Ltd v Moroccanoil Israel Ltd [2018] FCAFC 93; (2018) 358 ALR 683 Axon v Axon (1937) 59 CLR 395 Banque Commerciale SA, En Liquidation v Akhil Holdings Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 279 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd [2009] HCA 25; (2009) 238 CLR 304 Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2007] FCAFC 132; (2007) 162 FCR 466 Cubillo v Commonwealth [2000] FCA 1084; (2000) 103 FCR 1 Devries v Australian National Railways Commission (1993) 177 CLR 472 Dublin, Wicklow & Wexford Railway Co v Slattery (1878) 3 App Cas 1155 Farley (Aust) Pty Ltd v JR Alexander & Sons (Queensland) Pty Ltd (1946) 75 CLR 487 Flint v Lowe (1995) 22 MVR 1 Fox v Percy [2003] HCA 22; (2003) 214 CLR 118 Gnych v Polish Club Ltd [2015] HCA 23; (2015) 255 CLR 414 Henville v Walker [2001] HCA 52; (2001) 206 CLR 459 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Laws v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1990) 170 CLR 70 Lazarus Estates Ltd v Beasley [1956] 1 QB 702 Miller & Associates Insurance Broking Pty Ltd v BMW Australia Finance Ltd [2010] HCA 31; (2010) 241 CLR 357 R v Teal (1809) 11 East 307; 103 ER 1022 Robinson Helicopter Company Incorporated v McDermott [2016] HCA 22; (2016) 90 ALJR 679 S v M (1984) 36 SASR 316 Scott Fell v Lloyd (1911) 13 CLR 230 Suttor v Gundowda (1950) 81 CLR 418 SZFDE v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2007] HCA 35; (2007) 232 CLR 189 Taco Company of Australia Inc v Taco Bell Pty Ltd (1982) 42 ALR 177 Wardley Australia Ltd v Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315