Commonwealth of Australia v Mewett R.J. Commonwealth of Australia v Rock M.J. Commonwealth of Australia v Brandon M.J. [1995] FCA 681

CATCHWORDS LIMITATION OF ACTIONS - whether expiry of limitation period denies to a cause of action the status of 'property' - whether holding in Georgiadis v Australian & Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (1994) 179 CLR 297 that s 44 of Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) may effect constitutionally invalid "acquisition" of "property" extends to "statute-barred" cause of action - effect of provision for extension of limitation period - whether cause of action "statute-barred" where provision of extension of time - distinction between true limitation provision barring remedy and provision extinguishing right. PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW - injuries suffered in Victoria and on high seas - proceedings commenced in Sydney Registry of High Court - remitter to Federal Court - limitation statute applicable. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - federal system - operation of ss 44 (2A), 56, 64, 79 and 80 of Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) - common law causes of action against Commonwealth arising in Victoria - common law causes of action against Commonwealth arising on high seas - in both cases, proceedings commenced in Sydney Registry of High Court and remitted to Federal Court - operation of Judiciary Act on substantive law and provisions of limitation statutes of Victoria and New South Wales. Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) ss 44(2A), 56, 64, 79 and 80 Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) ss 44 and 45 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) ss 14, 58, 60F, 60G, 61, 63 and 68A The Constitution s 51(xxxi) Limitation of Actions Act (1958) (Vic) ss 5 and 23A Georgiadis v Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (1994) 179 CLR 297 Musgrave v Commonwealth (1937) 57 CLR 514 Maguire v Simpson (1977) 139 CLR 362 Suehle v The Commonwealth (1967) 116 CLR 353 McKain v R. W. Miller & Co (South Australia) Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 1 Commonwealth v Verwayen (1990) 170 CLR 394 Ronex Properties Limited v John Laing Construction Limited [1983] 1 QB 398 Gilvarry v Commonwealth (unreported, 15 November 1994, Vic, Nathan J) Australian Iron & Steel Limited v Hoogland (1962) 108 CLR 471 Parker v Commonwealth (1965) 112 CLR 295 Anderson v Eric Anderson Radio & TV Pty Ltd (1965) 114 CLR 20 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA V ROBERT JOHN MEWETT FFC No. NG 834 of 1994 FC No. NG 376 of 1994 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA V MICHAEL JOHN ROCK FFC No. NG 833 of 1994 FC No. NG 375 of 1994 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA V MARK JOHN BRANDON FFC No. NG 832 of 1994 FC No. NG 374 of 1994 SPENDER, COOPER & LINDGREN JJ SYDNEY 31 AUGUST 1995