Johnson Tiles Pty Ltd v Esso Australia Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1363

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Johnson Tiles Pty Ltd v Esso Australia Ltd [1999] FCA 1363

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURES – representative proceeding under Part IVA of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – 'No Win No Fee' Agreements entered into with group members – consideration of the role of the Court in approving of or supervising fee agreements with group members – whether solicitors ought to be enjoined from enforcing fee agreements with group members without Court approval

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – inconsistency with State law - whether Legal Practice Act 1996 (Vic) inconsistent with Pt IVA – whether notice under s 78B of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) is required Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – Pt IVA, ss 33V, 33X, 33Y, 33ZF, 33ZJ and 43(1A) Legal Practice Act 1996 (Vic) – ss 96, 97 and 98 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) – s 78B Constitution – s 109 Narain v Parnell (1986) 9 FCR 479 – considered Stock Motor Ploughs Ltd v Forsyth (1932) 48 CLR 128 – cited Victoria v The Commonwealth (1937) 58 CLR 618 – cited Australian Mutual Provident Society v Goulden (1986) 160 CLR 330 at 337 – cited New South Wales v The Commonwealth (1983) 151 CLR 302 – cited Viskauskas v Niland (1983) 153 CLR 280 – cited Ex Parte McLean (1930) 43 CLR 472 – cited Woolf v Snipe (1933) 48 CLR 677 – applied Keith Hercules & Sons v Steedman (1987) 17 FCR 290 – considered Bevan Ashford v Geoff Yeandle (Contractors) Ltd [1999] Ch 239 - cited JOHNSON TILES PTY LTD v ESSO AUSTRALIA LTD VG 519 OF 1998 JUDGE: MERKEL J PLACE: MELBOURNE DATE: 1 OCTOBER 1999

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY VG 519 OF 1998

BETWEEN: JOHNSON TILES PTY LTD (ACN 004 576 103)

AND ORS

Applicant

AND: ESSO AUSTRALIA LTD (ACN 000 018 566)

AND ANOR