Trade Practices Commission v CC (New South Wales) Pty Ltd & Ors (No 4) [1995] FCA 556

CATCHWORDS PRACTICE & PROCEDURE - Discovery - privilege against self-exposure to a civil penalty - whether available to corporate respondents in opposition to Commission's motion for discovery in proceedings for penalties under s 76 of Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) - whether discovery "necessary" - whether possibility of Commission's giving notices under s 155 of that Act made discovery by respondents not "necessary" - meaning of "necessary" in Order 15 r 15 of Federal Court Rules - whether discovery should be ordered as an exercise of discretion - whether "fishing expedition" - meaning of "fishing expedition" - whether discovery by respondents should precede filing of Commission's affidavit evidence. TRADE PRACTICES - Enforcement and Remedies - proceedings to recover civil penalties under s 76 of Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) - whether privilege against self-exposure to a penalty available to corporate respondents in opposition to Commission's motion for discovery - whether discovery "necessary" - whether possibility of Commission's giving notices under s 155 of that Act made discovery by respondents not "necessary" - meaning of "necessary" in Order 15 r 15 of Federal Court Rules - whether discovery should be ordered as an exercise of discretion - whether "fishing expedition" - meaning of "fishing expedition" - whether discovery by respondents should precede filing of Commission's affidavit evidence. Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 76, 155. Federal Court Rules, Order 15, r 15. Trade Practices Commission v Abbco Iceworks Pty Ltd (1994) 52 FCR 96 (FCA/FC). Compagnie Financiere et Commerciale du Pacifique v Peruvian Guano Co (1882) 11 QBD 55 (CA). Mulley v Manifold (1959) 103 CLR 341 (Menzies J). Commonwealth of Australia v Northern Land Council (1993) 176 CLR 604. Percy v General Motors-Holden's Pty Ltd [1975] 1 NSWLR 289 (NSW/Rath J). Boyle v Downs [1979] 1 NSWLR 192, (NSW/Cross J). W. A. Pines Pty Ltd v Bannerman (1980) 41 FLR 175 (FCA/FC). Trade Practices Commission v The IMB Group Pty Ltd (1994) ATPR 41-348, (FCA/Drummond J). TRADE PRACTICES COMMISSION v CC (NEW SOUTH WALES) PTY LIMITED & ORS (No 4) No NG 574 of 1994 LINDGREN J SYDNEY 2 AUGUST 1995