AAI Limited v The Owners - Strata Plan No 91086 [2025] FCAFC 6

Federal Court of Australia

AAI Limited v The Owners – Strata Plan No 91086 [2025] FCAFC 6 Appeal from: The Owners - Strata Plan No 91086 v Fairview Architectural Pty Ltd (No 3) [2023] FCA 814

File number(s): NSD 813 of 2023

Judgment of: MARKOVIC, HALLEY AND GOODMAN JJ

Date of judgment: 4 February 2025

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for leave to appeal from an order made under r 9.05 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) joining the applicant insurer as a respondent – operation of s 24(1AA)(b)(i) of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) prohibits any appeal – application dismissed PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for leave to appeal from an order made under s 5 of the Civil Liability (Third Party Claims Against Insurers) Act 2017 (NSW) granting the first respondent leave to bring and continue the proceeding against the applicant – whether primary judge's decision attended by sufficient doubt – whether substantial injustice would result if leave were refused – application dismissed

Legislation: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s 444E Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), s 24 Civil Liability Act (Third Party Claims Against Insurers) Act 2017 (NSW), s 5 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW), s 6 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance 1955 (ACT), s 26

Cases cited: AFG Insurances Ltd v Andjelkovic [1981] FCA 119; (1981) 54 FLR 398 AFG Insurances v Andjelkovic (1980) 47 FLR 348 Andjelkovic v AFG Insurances Ltd (1982) 58 ALJR 52 Armstrong World Industries Inc v Aetna Casualty and Surety Co 45 Cal App 4th 1 (Cal Ct App 1996); 52 Cal Rptr 2d 690 (1996) Austral Plywoods Pty Ltd v FAI General Insurance Co Ltd [1992] QCA 4; (1992) 7 ANZ Insurance Cases 61-110 Bundy Tubing Company v Royal Indemnity Company 298 F2d 151 (6th Cir, 1962) Canadian Equipment Sales & Service Co Ltd v Continental Insurance Co (1975) 59 DLR (3d) 333 Capral Limited v Insurance Australia Limited t/as CGU Insurance [2024] FCA 775 Carwald Concrete & Gravel Co. Ltd v General Security Insurance Co. of Canada (1985) 24 DLR (4th) 58 Decor Corporation Pty Ltd v Dart Industries Inc [1991] FCA 844; (1991) 33 FCR 397 Dixon v Royal Insurance Australia Ltd (1998) 90 FCR 390 Energize Fitness Pty Ltd v Vero Insurance Ltd [2012] NSWCA 213 House v The King [1936] HCA 40; (1936) 55 CLR 499 Macquarie Underwriting Pty Ltd v Permanent Custodians Ltd [2007] FCAFC 60; (2007) 240 ALR 519 Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd v CGU Insurance plc [2004] EWCA Civ 23; [2005] 1 All ER (Comm) 283 R & B Directional Drilling Pty Ltd (in liq) v CGU Insurance Ltd (No 2) [2019] FCA 458; (2019) 369 ALR 137 Ranicar v Frigmobile Pty Ltd; Ranicar v Royal Insurance Pty Ltd [1983] Tas R 113; (1983) 2 ANZ Ins Cas 60-525 The Owners - Strata Plan No 91086 v Fairview Architectural Pty Ltd (No 3) [2023] FCA 814 The Owners – Strata Plan No 91086 v Fairview Architectural Pty Ltd [2020] FCA 1892 Travel Compensation Fund v FAI General Insurance Co Ltd [1999] FCA 1214 Weir Services Australia Pty Ltd v AXA Corporate Solutions Assurance [2018] NSWCA 100; (2018) 359 ALR 314;