Pasini v Vanstone [1999] FCA 1271

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pasini v Vanstone [1999] FCA 1271 EXTRADITION - Minister's decision to issue notice under s 16 of Extradition Act 1988 (Cth) - judicial review of decision - subpoena duces tecum to Minister - appropriateness. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - subpoenae - whether subpoena process used to obtain discovery - whether abuse of process - "fishing" - judicial supervision of the discovery process. LEGAL PRACTITIONERS - solicitor-client relationship - s 50 of the Extradition Act 1988 (Cth) deeming such a relationship - conflicting roles and functions of officers of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department. LEGAL PROFESSIONAL PRIVILEGE - subpoenae - objection based on legal professional privilege - whether officers of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department provided "legal advice" - whether Mexico could be regarded as a client - whether Minister could be regarded as a client - conflicting roles and functions of Commonwealth officers. Extradition Act 1988 (Cth) s 3, s 5, s 6, s 6(a)(i), s 7, s 12, s 16, s 16(1), s 16(2)(a), s 16(2)(a)(ii), s 16(2)(b), s 16(3), s 19, s 19(3), s 21, s 22, s 22(1), s 50 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B(1) and (1A) Extradition (United Mexican States) Regulations Treaty on Extradition between Australia and the United Mexican States, Art 8, Art 16(1)(c) Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) s 3(1) and Sch 1, para (r) Federal Court Rules O 10 r 2 Practice Note 14 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) Director of Public Prosecutions of the Commonwealth v Kainhofer (1995) 185 CLR 528 referred Harris v Attorney-General of the Commonwealth (1994) 52 FCR 386 applied Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1998) 159 ALR 664 referred Peniche v Vanstone [1999] FCA 916 discussed Commissioner for Railways v Small (1938) 38 SR (NSW) 564 applied Cameron v Rural Press Ltd (Burchett, Gummow and Hill JJ, 20 July 1990, unreported) referred Diddams v Commonwealth Bank of Australia [1998] FCA 497 applied Australian Securities Commission v Somerville (1994) 51 FCR 38 applied Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Shell Co of Australia Ltd (1999) 161 ALR 686 applied Kizon v Palmer (1997) 75 FCR 261 referred Trade Practices Commission v Arnotts Ltd (1989) 88 ALR 90 referred Southern Pacific Hotel Services Inc v Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation Ltd [1984] 1 NSWLR 710 referred Spencer Motors Pty Ltd v LNC Industries Ltd [1982] 2 NSWLR 921 referred National Employers' Mutual General Association Ltd v Waind [1978] 1 NSWLR 372 referred R v Saleam (1989) 16 NSWLR 14 referred Australian Securities Commission v Dalleagles Pty Ltd (French J, 27 February 1992, unreported) applied Grant v Downs (1976) 135 CLR 674 referred Waterford v The Commonwealth (1987) 163 CLR 54 distinguished Wan v McDonald (1992) 33 FCR 491 referred Re Fritz [1995] 2 Qd R 580 distinguished Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24 discussed Zemanek v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Hill J, 2 October 1997, unreported) applied MARCO PASINI BERTRAN v HON. AMANDA VANSTONE & ORS V 120 of 1999 CARLOS CABAL PENICHE v HON. AMANDA VANSTONE & ORS V 121 of 1999 CARLOS CABAL PENICHE v HON. AMANDA VANSTONE & ORS V 222 of 1999 FINN J CANBERRA (HEARD IN MELBOURNE) 15 SEPTEMBER 1999