Rolfe, James Geoffrey v Transworld Marine Agency Co NV [1998] FCA 532

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ADMIRALTY - sale of vessel arrested by Court - successful claim against the proceeds of sale - whether commission is payable to applicant - whether agreement exists as to amount of commission. CONTRACT - whether any binding contract made - examination of correspondence - whether an equitable charge or lien over proceeds of sale arises in respect of commission - agreement to pay from proceeds of sale - whether any equitable assignment. BANKRUPTCY - Letter of Request from Belgian Court - whether any moneys held in Australia should be assigned to Belgian trustees to be administered as part of a world-wide administration of assets and liabilities - external administration in Corporations Law and Bankruptcy Act - Belgium not a prescribed country - relevant considerations - avoidance of duplication - security - delay - uniform administration of bankruptcy - mutual co-operation - comity. Corporations Law ss 350(14)(b), 580 and 581 Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth), s 29 Morlines Marine Agency Ltd & Ors v The Proceeds of Sale of the Ship "Skulptor Vuchetich" (1997) (unreported, Sheppard J, 15 May 1997), cited Australian Broadcasting Corporation v XIVTH Commonwealth Games (1988) 18 NSWLR 540, cited Hewett v Court (1982) 149 CLR 639, followed Re Universal Distributing Co Ltd (In liq) (1933) 48 CLR 171, cited Sympson v Prothero [1857] 26 LJ Ch 671, cited Worrell v Power & Power (1993) 118 ALR 237, cited Shirlaw v Taylor (1991) 31 FCR 222, distinguished Palmer v Carey [1926] AC 703, distinguished Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited v Colony Financiers of Australia Pty Ltd (1972) 20 FLR 220, distinguished Hilton v Guyot, 159 US 113 (1895), cited Turners & Growers Exporters Ltd v The ship "Cornelis Verolme" [1997] 2 NZLR 110, cited John Lavington Bonython v The Commonwealth of Australia [1951] AC 201, followed Bank of Credit and Commerce International No (10) SA 1997 Ch 213, cited Re Ayres; Ex parte Evans (1981) 34 ALR 582, followed Smith v Australian Securities Commission (1995) 13 ACLC 511, cited Nygh, Conflict of Laws in Australia, 6th edn Sykes and Pryles Australian Private International Law, 2nd edn JAMES GEOFFREY ROLFE v TRANSWORLD MARINE AGENCY COMPANY NV NG 764 OF 1997 TAMBERLIN J SYDNEY 19 MAY 1998