Australian Rugby Union Ltd v Hospitality Group Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1061

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Rugby Union Ltd v Hospitality Group Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1061 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – legal professional privilege – draft minutes of meeting at which legal advice provided in presence of non-clients – draft prepared by client – whether document is privileged – whether pre-trial waiver of privilege is governed by common law or Evidence Act 1995 (Cth), s122 – whether client waived privilege in the document – effect of limited disclosure of privileged communication

Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 46(1), 47(1), 52 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth), ss 118, 119, 122(4), 122(5) Grant v Downs (1976) 135 CLR 674, followed Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1998) 83 FCR 511, followed Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd v Spalvins (1998) 81 FCR 360, cited Northern Territory of Australia v GPAO (1999) 161 ALR 318, followed British Coal Corporation v Dennis Rye Ltd (No 2) [1988] 1 WLR 1113, cited Network Ten Ltd v Capital Television Holdings Ltd (1995) 36 NSWLR 275, discussed Goldberg v Ng (1995) 185 CLR 83, discussed Gotha City v Sotheby's [1998] 1 WLR 114, cited Trade Practices Commission v Sterling (1979) 36 FLR 244, referred to Wheeler v Le Marchant (1881) 17 Ch D 675, cited Nickmar Pty Ltd v Preservatrice Skandia Insurance Ltd (1985) 3 NSWLR 44, cited Commissioner of Australian Federal Police v Propend Finance Pty Ltd (1997) 188 CLR 501, cited Telstra Corporation Ltd v BT Australasia Pty Ltd (1998) 156 ALR 634, cited Equuscorp Pty Ltd v Kamisha Corporation Ltd [1999] FCA 681, followed Goldberg v Ng (1994) 33 NSWLR 639, discussed Attorney-General (NT) v Maurice (1986) 161 CLR 475, distinguished

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION LTD v HOSPITALITY GROUP PTY LTD & ORS N 324 OF 1999 JUDGE: SACKVILLE J PLACE: SYDNEY

DATE: 4 AUGUST 1999

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA