Coci, Joseph & Ors v Nilant & Ors [1998] FCA 65

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA BANKRUPTCY - arrangements with creditors without sequestration - authority given by debtors to controlling trustee - creditors' resolution that the debtors' file petitions - application by debtors for declaration of nullity of resolution on ground creditors did not qualify as such ‑ motion by creditors to dismiss application - prior proceedings to which controlling trustee, but not debtors, was a party - whether issue res judicata - whether Anshun estoppel applicable because unreasonable that controlling trustee did not raise contention in first action - whether issue constitutes collateral attack on judgment in prior proceedings - effect of expiry of Pt X authority - whether issue abandoned - whether failure to join debtors in prior proceedings a barrier to issue being now raised. Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth), ss 188, 188(1)(c), 188(3), 189(1), 189(1A), 189(2), 189AA, 189AB(1), 189AB(7), 190(1), 190(2), 190(4), 190(4A), 204(1), 209 Federal Court Rules, O 20 r 2

Effem Foods Pty Ltd v Trawl Industries of Australia Pty Ltd (recs and mgrs appd) (in liq) (1993) 115 ALR 377 applied Harris v Truman (1882) 9 QBD 264 considered Petrie v Linsley (unreported, Supreme Court of Victoria, Eames J, 16 May 1995) considered Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun (1981) 147 CLR 589 followed Ramsay v Pigram (1968) 118 CLR 271 followed Re Dingle; Westpac Banking Corporation v Worrell (1993) 119 ALR 265 considered Trawl Industries of Australia Pty Ltd (recs and mgrs appd) (in liq) v Effem Foods Pty Ltd 108 ALR 335 referred to JOSEPH COCI, HELEN JOY COCI, ERNEST RAMPELLINI, JENNIFER ANNE RAMPELLINI v NILANT & ORS WG 7064 of 1997 R D NICHOLSON J 12 February 1998 PERTH

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY WAG 7064 of 1997

BETWEEN: JOSEPH COCI, HELEN JOY COCI, ERNEST RAMPELLINI, JENNIFER ANNE RAMPELLINI