The Bell Group Ltd (in Liq) & Ors v Westpac Banking Corp & Ors [1998] FCA 849

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA CORPORATIONS - liquidator's powers - power to examine - whether liquidator in special position - whether right to examine on witness statements subject to claim of client legal privilege - whether examination a collateral proceeding to principal application. PROCEDURE - interlocutory order - order restraining provision of witness statements nunc pro tunc pending liquidators' examinations - whether order in error of law - whether entitlement to use of such statements under Harman principle - whether entitlement to use of such statements by provisions authorising examination in Corporations Law - relevance of claim to client legal privilege on all such statements. PROCEDURE - interlocutory order - order for adjourning trial date for one month and having effect of refusing further adjournment - whether error of approach in the circumstances. Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) ss 117(1), 118, 119, 122, 122(2)(c), 122(5) Corporations Law s 596A Federal Court Rules O10 r 1 Home Office v Harman [1983] 1 AC 280, discussed Akins v Abigroup Ltd (Supreme Court of NSW, Court of Appeal, unreported, 1 June 1998), followed Hamilton v Oades (1989) 166 CLR 486, discussed Adler v Qintex Group Management Services Pty Ltd (In liq) (1996) 22 ACSR 446, discussed Re Excel Finance Corporation Ltd (1994) 52 FCR 69, discussed Goldberg v Ng (1996) 185 CLR 83, followed Decor Corporation Pty Ltd v Dart Industries Inc (1991) 33 FCR 397, discussed Australian Securities Commission v Somerville (1994) 51 FCR 38, discussed Adam P Brown Male Fashions Pty Ltd v Philip Morris Inc (1981) 148 CLR 170, followed THE BELL GROUP LIMITED (ACN No. 008 666 993) (IN LIQUIDATION) AND OTHERS v WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION (ARB NO 007 457 141) AND OTHERS) WAG 3067 OF 1995 FOSTER, LEE & R D NICHOLSON JJ PERTH 20 JULY 1998