Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd v Bryant [2024] FCAFC 167

Federal Court of Australia Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd v Bryant [2024] FCAFC 167 Appeal from: Bryant, in the matter of Gunns Limited (in liq) (receivers and managers appointed) v Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 97

File number(s): VID 189 of 2024 VID 280 of 2024

Judgment of: O'CALLAGHAN, MCEVOY and NESKOVCIN JJ

Date of judgment: 16 December 2024

Catchwords: CORPORATIONS - whether an extension order made under s 459R needs to specify a definite period within which an application to wind up in insolvency must be determined – whether the primary judge erred in refusing to amend the extension order to specify a date by using the slip rule – whether the effect of s 459R(3) was to dismiss the Liquidators' alternative application to wind up on other grounds pursuant to s 461(1)(c) – whether it is inappropriate for the Liquidators, as creditors, to apply to wind up a company under s 461(1)(c) – whether the winding up proceeding was an abuse of process – whether the winding up proceeding should have been dismissed for want of prosecution

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Pt 5.4, ss 459A, 459C, 459E, 459F, 459G, 459H, 459P, 459R, 461, 462 Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 24(1A) Federal Court (Corporations) Rules 2000 (Cth), r 2.2(3) Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth). rr 35.13(a), 39.05(h)

Allesch v Maunz (2000) 203 CLR 172; [2000] HCA 40 Amorin Constructions Pty Ltd v Kamtech Electrical Services Pty Ltd (2008) 73 NSWLR 627; [2008] NSWSC 285 Aussie Vic Plant Hire Pty Ltd v Esanda Finance Corporation Ltd (2008) 232 CLR 314; [2008] HCA 9 Australian Beverage Distributors Pty Ltd v Evans & Tate Premium Wines Pty Ltd (2007) 69 NSWLR 374; [2007] NSWCA 57 Australian Securities & Investments Commission v Lanepoint Enterprises Pty Ltd (Receiver and Manager Appointed) [No 2] (2009) 72 ACSR 52; [2009] FCA 493 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Lanepoint Enterprises Pty Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed) (2011) 244 CLR 1; [2011] HCA 18 Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd v Bryant, in the matter of Gunns Limited (in liq) (receivers and managers appointed) (No 2) [2021] FCAFC 111 Branir Pty Ltd v Owston Nominees (No 2) Pty Ltd (2001) 117 FCR 424; [2001] FCA 1833 Bryant (Liquidator) v L.V. Dohnt & Co Pty Ltd, in the Matter of Gunns Limited (In Liq) (Receivers and Managers Appointed) [2018] FCA 238 Bryant v Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd (2023) 275 CLR 463; [2023] HCA 2 Bryant, in the matter of Gunns Limited (in liq) (receivers and managers appointed) v Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 97 Bryant, in the matter of Gunns Limited (in liq) (receivers and managers appointed) v Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd (2020) 144 ACSR 423; [2020] FCA 713 David Grant & Co Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation (1995) 184 CLR 265; [1995] HCA 43 Décor Corporation Pty Ltd v Dart Industries Inc (1991) 33 FCR 397; [1991] FCA 844 Devmin International Pty Ltd v Belconnen Developments Pty Ltd (2022) 12 QR 170; [2022] QSC 186 Cases cited: Donchiod Pty Ltd (in liquidation) v Merrion B Pty Ltd [2024] VSCA 44 Grandview Ausbuilder Pty Ltd v Budget Demolitions Pty Ltd (2019) 99 NSWLR 397; [2019] NSWCA 60 House v R (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Hrycenko v Hrycenko (2022) 164 ACSR 243; [2022] FCAFC 152 Hunter Valley Developments Pty Ltd v Minister for Home Affairs and Environment (1984) 3 FCR 344; [1984] FCA 186 In the matter of Wetherill Park Holdings Pty Ltd (No 2) [2021] NSWSC 1397 Lanepoint Enterprises Pty Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed) v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2010) 78 ACSR 487; [2010] FCAFC 49 Mehmood v Attorney-General of the Commonwealth [2013] FCA 406 Mercury International Investment Pty Ltd v Queensland One Homes Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 701 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355; [1998] HCA 28 Re Douglas Aerospace Pty Ltd (2015) 294 FLR 186; [2015] NSWSC 167 Re Statewide Developments Pty Ltd [2011] NSWSC 1537 Sharma v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2017) 256 FCR 1; [2017] FCAFC 227 SZTAL v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2017) 262 CLR 362; [2017] HCA 34 Victoria International Container Terminal Ltd v Lunt (2021) 271 CLR 132; [2021] HCA 11 Warren v Coombes (1979) 142 CLR 531; [1979] HCA 9