Zaknic Pty Ltd v Svelte Corporation Pty Ltd & Ors [1995] FCA 1037

CATCHWORDS Evidence - admissibility - allegedly forged signature on deed of guarantee - evidence of various fraudulent acts in respect of other documents - whether relevant - whether evidence could affect the assessment of the probability that the guarantee is forged - whether tendency evidence - whether significant probative value - whether evidence should be excluded on discretionary grounds. Evidence Act 1995 s 55, s 97, s 118, s 125, s 135, s 138 Pfenning v The Queen (1995) 182 CLR 461 at 474, 485, 486, considered. D F Lyons Pty Ltd v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1991) 100 ALR 468 at 476, 478, considered. Mood Music Publishing Co v De Wolfe Ltd [1976] 1 Ch 119 at 127, applied. Sheldon v Sun Alliance Australia Limited (1990) 53 SASR 97 at 102, 144‑149, applied. Boyce v Cafred Pty Ltd (1984) 4 FCR 367 at 370, applied. Mister Figgins Pty Ltd v Centrepoint Freeholds Pty Ltd (1981) 36 ALR 23, considered. Gates v City Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (1982) 68 FLR 74 at 88, considered. Berger v Raymond Sun Ltd [1984] 1 WLR 625, considered. ZAKNIC PTY LIMITED v SVELTE CORPORATION PTY LIMITED & ORS. No. NG216 of 1994 CORAM: Lehane J PLACE: Sydney DATE: 12 December 1995

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ) NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY ) GENERAL DIVISION ) No. NG216 of 1994 BETWEEN: ZAKNIC PTY LIMITED (A.C.N. 003 803 496) Applicant AND: SVELTE CORPORATION PTY LIMITED (A.C.N. 056 992 877) First Respondent HARRY SIALEPIS Second Respondent CRYPTA FUELS PTY LIMITED (A.C.N. 010 036 512) Third Respondent ROBERT JOSEPH HAGAN Fourth Respondent HARRY SIALEPIS First Cross Claimant SVELTE CORPORATION PTY LIMITED (A.C.N. 056 992 877) Second Cross Claimant CRYPTA FUELS PTY LIMITED (A.C.N. 010 036 512) First Cross Respondent ROBERT JOSEPH HAGANSecond Cross Respondent DES MITCHELL Third Cross Respondent CORAM: Lehane J PLACE: Sydney DATE: 12 December 1995 MINUTE OF ORDERS THE COURT ORDERS: 1. THAT the present application seeking the admission of certain evidence be dismissed. NOTE: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.