Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Honourable Sir Daryl Michael Dawson [1999] FCA 363

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Sir Daryl Dawson [1999] FCA 363

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – legal professional privilege – s 19D of the Evidence Act 1958 (Vic) abrogating privilege in proceedings before a royal commission – validity of s 19D – whether s 19D is inconsistent with s 118 and s 119 of the Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) or s 78 of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) – whether s 19D is an impermissible interference with the judicial power of the Commonwealth or undermines confidence in the impartial administration of justice in courts exercising federal jurisdiction Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia: s 109 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth): s 118, s 119 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth): s 78 Evidence Act 1958 (Vic): s 19D Australian Building Construction Employees' and Builders Labourers' Federation v The Commonwealth (1986) 161 CLR 88, cited Baker v Campbell (1983) 153 CLR 52, referred to Calcraft v Guest [1898] 1 QB 759, cited Commissioner of Australian Federal Police v Propend Finance Pty Ltd (1997) 188 CLR 501, cited Corporate Affairs Commission (NSW) v Yuill (1991) 172 CLR 319, referred to Descoteaux v Mierzwinski and Attorney General (Quebec) [1982] 1 SCR 860, cited Esso Australian Resources Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1999) 159 ALR 664, applied Fencott v Muller (1983) 152 CLR 570, cited Huddart, Parker & Co Pty Ltd v Moorehead (1909) 8 CLR 330, cited Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (1996) 189 CLR 51, referred to Leeth v The Commonwealth (1992) 174 CLR 455, cited Liyanage v R [1967] 1 AC 259, cited New South Wales v Canellis (1994) 181 CLR 309, cited Nicholas v The Queen (1998) 151 ALR 312, applied The Queen v Trade Practices Tribunal; Ex parte Tasmanian Breweries Pty Ltd (1970) 123 CLR 361, cited Western Australian v Ward (1997) 145 ALR 512, applied Williamson v Ah On (1926) 39 CLR 95, cited ESSO AUSTRALIA RESOURCES LTD, ESSO AUSTRALIA LTD v THE HONOURABLE SIR DARYL MICHAEL DAWSON AC KBE CB, BRIAN JOHN BROOKS & STATE OF VICTORIA VG 733 OF 1998 JUDGES: BLACK CJ, SUNDBERG & FINKELSTEIN JJ DATE: 1 APRIL 1999 PLACE: MELBOURNE