Hi-Fert Pty Ltd & Anor v Kiukiang Maritime Carriers Inc & Anor [1998] FCA 558

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

PRACTICE & PROCEDURE – whether orders granting stays interlocutory or final – orders staying Federal Court proceedings and referring parties to arbitration pursuant to International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) – trial judge refused leave to appeal – applicants seeking leave to appeal from stay orders or from refusal of leave to appeal – whether appeal lies as of right from decision to stay proceedings – leave required where judgment interlocutory – construction of the International Arbitration Act – construction of the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards – possibility of circumstances arising justifying a lifting of the stay – possibility of arbitration agreement becoming null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed – inequitable for parties to be precluded from litigating issues the subject of an ineffective arbitral award – stay orders pursuant to the International Arbitration Act interlocutory in nature – appeal incompetent. Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), ss 24(1), 24(1A) International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth), ss 7, 8, 8(5)-(8), 9(1) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 52, 82 Admiralty Act 1988 (Cth) Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1991 (Cth), s 11(2) Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Limited (No 1) (1980) 147 CLR 35, discussed Computer Edge Pty Ltd v Apple Computer Inc (1984) 54 ALR 767, cited Hall v The Nominal Defendant (1966) 117 CLR 423, cited

Tampion v Anderson (1974) 48 ALJR 11, cited Salter Rex & Co v Ghosh [1971] 2 QB 597, cited Hunt v Allied Bakeries Ltd (1956) 1 WLR 1326, cited Carr v Finance Corporation of Australia Ltd (No 1) (1981) 147 CLR 246, cited Licul v Corney (1975) 180 CLR 213, discussed Rena K [1979] 1 QB 377, discussed Golden Trader [1975] 1 QB 348, discussed Associated Bulk Carriers Ltd v Koch Shipping Inc [1978] 2 All ER 254, discussed Oceanic Sun Line Special Company Inc v Fay (1941) 65 CLR 197, cited Bank of America v Bank of New York (1995) ATPR 40-334, discussed Chaparral [1968] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 158, cited Voth v Manildra Flour Mills Pty Ltd (1990) 171 CLR 538, cited Akai Pty Ltd v Peoples Insurance Co (1997) 126 FLR 264, cited Akai Pty Ltd v Peoples Insurance Co (1997) 188 CLR 418, cited Jenkins v NZI Securities Australia Ltd (1994) 124 ALR 605, cited John Grant & Sons Ltd v Trocadero Building and Investment Co Ltd (1938) 60 CLR 1, cited Hope v RCA Photophone of Australia Pty Ltd (1937) 59 CLR 348, cited Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven GmbH v The owners of the ship Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya as surrogate for the ships Taras Shevchenko, Delphin and Kazakhstan and Tor Shipping Company (Full Federal Court, 31 October 1997, unreported), cited Strathmore Group Ltd v Fraser [1992] 2 AC 172, discussed Tanning Research Laboratories Inc v O'Brien (1990) 169 CLR 332, cited The Tuyuti [1984] 1 QB 838, cited Flakt Australia Ltd v Wilkins & Davies Construction Co Ltd (1979) 25 ALR 605, cited Paczy v Haendler [1981] 1 Lloyd's Rep. 302, cited Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation v Perry (1988) 92 FLR 182, cited Australian Mid-Eastern Club Ltd v Yassim (1990) 8 ACLC 46, cited Johnston v Agnew [1980] AC 365, cited Levis v McDonald (1997) 75 FCR 36, cited HI-FERT PTY LIMITED & ANOR v KIUKIANG MARITIME CARRIERS INC & ANOR NG 1100 of 1997 NG 1101 of 1997 BEAUMONT, BRANSON & EMMETT JJ SYDNEY 26 MAY 1998