Pacific Composites Pty Ltd & Anor v Blue Anchor Line & Ors [1997] FCA 576

CATCHWORDS PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application to amend Statement of Claim to plead additional causes of action - whether amendments give rise to an arguable cause of action - bill of lading altered after issue - allegation of fraud - whether evidence establishes an arguable case of fraud - whether arguable case of recklessness - importance of bill of lading as an instrument of international commerce - whether arguable case of estoppel - defendant cannot be estopped form denying the breach - whether arguable case of negligence. Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), s 22 Federal Court Rules, O 13 r 2(2) State of Queensland v J L Holdings Pty Ltd (1997) 141 ALR 353, cited Woodhead Australia (South Australia) Pty Ltd v The Paspalis Group of Companies (1991) 103 FLR 122, cited Banque Commerciale SA (en liquidation) v Akhil Holdings Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 279, cited Krakowski v Eurolynx Properties Ltd (1995) 183 CLR 563, cited Hunter Grain Pty Ltd v Hyundai Merchant Marine Co Ltd (1993) 117 ALR 507, cited Smith v Chadwick (1884) 9 App Cas 187, distinguished PACIFIC COMPOSITES PTY LIMITED, LERMARNE CORPORATION LIMITED -v- BLUE ANCHOR LINE, ANL LIMITED & UNITED ARAB SHIPPING CO. NO NG 377 OF 1996 Tamberlin J Sydney 30 June 1997

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA) NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY) No. NG 377 of 1996 GENERAL DIVISION ) IN ADMIRALTY ) BETWEEN: PACIFIC COMPOSITES PTY LIMITED (ACN 005 952 689) First Plaintiff LERMARNE CORPORATION LIMITED (ACN 004 834 584) Second Plaintiff AND BLUE ANCHOR LINE First defendant ANL LIMITED (ACN 008 654 206) Second Defendant UNITED ARAB SHIPPING COMPANY (S.A.G.) Third Defendant CORAM: TAMBERLIN J PLACE: SYDNEY DATED: 30 JUNE 1997 MINUTE OF ORDERS THE COURT ORDERS THAT: 1. Leave is refused to amend the Application and Statement of Claim to plead fraud or estoppel. 2. Leave is granted to amend the Application and Statement of Claim to plead negligence as against the first defendant. 3. The plaintiffs pay the defendants' costs of this application. NOTE: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in accordance with Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.