Allstate Life Insurance Co & Ors v Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd & Ors (No 33) [1996] FCA 127

CATCHWORDS EVIDENCE - expert opinion evidence on foreign law - distinction between content and application of foreign law - general law rule that evidence of content admissible but evidence of application to facts inadmissible - whether any difference made by abolition of "ultimate issue" rule by para 80 (a) of Evidence Act 1995 - distinction between legal and other experts - intrusion into essential judicial function. Evidence Act 1995 ss 76, 80. United States Trust Company of New York v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (1995) 13 ACLC 1225. ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE CO & ORS v AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED & ORS (No 33) Nos NG 381 of 1994, NG 523 of 1991, NG 622 of 1991, NG 635 of 1991 and NG 193 of 1996. Lindgren J Sydney 26 March 1996

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ) NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY ) GENERAL DIVISION ) No NG 381 of 1994 BETWEEN: ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE CO and the parties listed in Annexure A to the third further amended statement of claim. Applicants AND: AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED ACN 005 357 522 and the parties listed in Annexure B to the third further amended statement of claim. Respondents No NG 523 of 1991 BETWEEN: ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE CO and the parties listed in Annexure A to the third further amended statement of claim. Applicants AND: AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED ACN 005 357 522 and the parties listed in Annexure B to the third further amended statement of claim. Respondents No NG 622 of 1991 BETWEEN: ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE CO and the parties listed in Annexure A to the third further amended statement of claim. Applicants AND: AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED ACN 005 357 522 and the parties listed in Annexure B to the third further amended statement of claim. Respondents