J H Fenner & Co Ltd & Anor v Gulf Conveyor Systems Pty ltd & Ors [1998] FCA 873

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

INJUNCTIONS - application for interlocutory injunctive relief - alleged breach of distribution agreement - whether novation necessary in relation to distribution agreement - assignability of distribution agreement - whether sale agreement effected assignment of distribution agreement - relevance of conduct of applicants - estoppel - confidential information - 'springboard doctrine' - effect of delay on grant of relief - adequacy of damages - whether serious question to be tried - injunction refused.

TRADE PRACTICES - application for injunctive relief - misleading and deceptive conduct.

Kemp v Baerselman (1906) 2 KB 604 Roger Bullivant v Ellis (1987) FSR 172 J H FENNER & CO LIMITED, TURNER BELTING LIMITED v GULF CONVEYOR SYSTEMS PTY LTD, SOUTHERN CONVEYOR ALLIANCE PTY LTD, PIT TOP MINING PTY LIMITED T/AS PITTOP, COLIN WILLIAM BENJAMIN, DONNA LEE BENJAMIN, GEOFFREY EDWARD HAMMOND, RONALD PETER JAMES SLATTERY, STEPHEN O'DONNELL NG 550 of 1998 MOORE J 31 JUNE 1998 SYDNEY

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY NG550 of 1998

BETWEEN: J H FENNER & CO LIMITED

First Applicant

TURNER BELTING LIMITED

Second Applicant

AND: GULF CONVEYOR SYSTEMS PTY LTD

First Respondent

SOUTHERN CONVEYOR ALLIANCE PTY LTD

Second Respondent

PIT TOP MINING PTY LIMITED T/AS PITTOP

Third Respondent

COLIN WILLIAM BENJAMIN

Fourth Respondent

DONNA LEE BENJAMIN

Fifth Respondent

GEOFFREY EDWARD HAMMOND

Sixth Respondent

RONALD PETER JAMES SLATTERY

Seventh Respondent

STEPHEN O'DONNELL

EIGHT Respondent