Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [1999] FCA 110

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [1999] FCA 110 PRACTICE & PROCEDURE – disqualification for bias – claim that Judge had "direct pecuniary interest" – Judge has interest in trust holding shares in a corporation which is not a party, but which may obtain a financial benefit from the proceedings – whether Judge was disqualified. BANKRUPTCY – test for determining whether the bankrupt had the necessary intent to defraud creditors required by s 121 Bankruptcy Act – whether any distinction between existing or future creditors and "anticipated" creditors. BANKRUPTCY – principle that dispositions void under ss 120 and 121 Bankruptcy Act are avoided only insofar as necessary to satisfy the bankrupt's debts – whether this principle requires the Judge to determine claim by bankrupt disputing indebtedness to major creditor. WORDS & PHRASES: "direct pecuniary interest".

Bankruptcy Act 1883 (UK), s 47. Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth), ss 40(1), 77C, 109(10), 120, 121, 134(1), 177(1), 178. Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment Act 1996 (Cth). First Corporate Law Simplification Act 1995 (Cth), Sch 4. Corporations Law, s 221(1). Webb v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 41, cited. Re Webb; Ex parte Taylor (1987) 75 ALR 139, cited. Re Butler; Ex parte Taylor (1995) 57 FCR 499, cited. Mobil Oil Australia Ltd v Wellcome International Pty Ltd (1998) 81 FCR 475 (FC), cited. Reg v Gough [1993] AC 646, discussed. In re Pinochet, unreported, House of Lords, 15 January 1999, distinguished. Reg v Rand (1866) LR 1 QB 230, cited. Dimes v Proprietors of Grand Canal Junction (1852) 3 HL Cas 759, distinguished. The Queen v Watson; Ex parte Armstrong (1976) 136 CLR 248, followed. Bank of New South Wales v Commonwealth (1948) 76 CLR 1, cited. The Queen v The Industrial Court & Mount Isa Mines Limited [1966] Qd R 245, cited. Commercial Banking Co v Balgarnie (1864) 3 SCR(L) 27, cited. Ex parte Dalton (1876) 14 SCR(L) 277, cited. The King v Lowe; Ex parte Peterson [1912] St R Qd 138, cited. R v Sussex Justices; Ex parte McCarthy [1924] 1 KB 256, cited. Reg v Hammond (1863) 9 LT 423, cited. Reg v Camborne Justices; Ex parte Pearce [1955] 1 QB 41, cited. R v Bow Street Metropolitan Stipendary Magistrate & Ors; Ex parte Pinochet Ugarte; R v Bartle; Ex parte Pinochet [1998] 3 WLR 1456, discussed. Barton v The Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (1974) 131 CLR 370, cited. Cannane v J Cannane Pty Ltd (in liq) (1998) 153 ALR 163, cited. Hardie v Hanson (1960) 105 CLR 451, cited. Mackay v Douglas (1872) LR 14 Eq 106, cited. Ex parte Russell; In re Butterworth (1882) 19 Ch D 588, cited. Payne v McDonald (1908) 6 CLR 208, cited. Perpetual Executors & Trustees Association of Australia Ltd v Wright (1917) 23 CLR 185, cited. In re Sims; Ex parte Sheffield (1896) 3 Mans 340, discussed.