Wilson v Commonwealth of Australia [1999] FCA 219

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Wilson v Commonwealth of Australia [1999] FCA 219 BANKRUPTCY – Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) ("the Act") – application to the Court under ss 178 and 179 of the Act – whether grounds justify inquiry under the Act – whether s 178 invoked to seek review of an act, omission or decision of the trustee in the administration of the bankrupt estate – whether case made out for inquiry under s 179 – whether trustee acted other than in the manner required by the Act – whether s 178 creates a cause of action which sounds in damages

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth), ss 12(1)(b), 134, 178, 179 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), s 21 Williams v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (1994) 122 ALR 585, considered Re Tyndall (1977) 30 FLR 6, considered McGoldrick v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (1993) 47 FCR 547, considered Re Wheeler; Ex parte Wheeler v Halse (1994) 54 FCR 166, considered Re Alafaci; Registrar in Bankruptcy v Hardwick (1976) 9 ALR 262, cited Re Gault; Gault v Law (1981) 57 FLR 165, cited Registrar in Bankruptcy v Bradley (1983) 72 FLR 231, cited Turner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (unreported, Full Federal Court, 27 November 1998), followed Monroe Schneider Associates (Inc) v No. 1 Raberem Pty Ltd (1992) 37 FCR 234, cited Bourke v Beneficial Finance Corporation Ltd (1993) 47 FCR 264, cited ERNEST ARTHUR WILSON and PATRICIA LORRAINE WILLIAMS v THE COMMONWEALTH of AUSTRALIA and OFFICIAL TRUSTEE in BANKRUPTCY NG 8014 of 1998 BRANSON J 12 MARCH 1999 SYDNEY

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY NG 8014 OF 1998

BETWEEN: ERNEST ARTHUR WILSON and PATRICIA LORRAINE WILLIAMS

Applicant

AND: THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

First Respondent

OFFICIAL TRUSTEE IN BANKRUPTCY

Second Respondent