Bright v Femcare Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1377

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Bright v Femcare Ltd [1999] FCA 1377

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – representative proceedings – validity of Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Pt IVA – exercise of judicial power – whether Pt IVA empowers Court to determine proceedings relating to subject matter other than "matters" – whether Pt IVA requires or permits Court to determine representative proceedings in ways which are incompatible with proper judicial process – acquisition of property on just terms – whether provisions of Pt IVA involve an acquisition of property WORDS AND PHRASES – "matter" – "judicial power" – "acquisition of property" The Constitution (62 & 63 Vict. c. 12) Ch III, ss 51(xxxi), 75, 76, 77 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Pt IVA, ss 33C, 33E, 33H, 33J, 33N, 33Q, 33R, 33S, 33T, 33V, 33W, 33X, 33Y, 33Z, 33ZB Federal Court Rules O 6 r 13, O 7 r 9 South Australia v Victoria (1911) 12 CLR 667 cited Philip Morris Inc v Adam P Brown Male Fashions Pty Ltd (1981) 148 CLR 457 cited Bass v Permanent Trustee Co Ltd (1999) 161 ALR 399 cited Fencott v Muller (1983) 152 CLR 570 referred to Harris v Caladine (1991) 172 CLR 84) cited Re Judiciary and Navigation Acts (1921) 29 CLR 257 applied Wong v Silkfield Pty Ltd [1999] HCA 48 referred to Qantas Airways Ltd v Cameron (1996) 66 FCR 246 cited Wilson v Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (1996) 189 CLR 1 discussed Grollo v Palmer (1995) 184 CLR 348 cited Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (1996) 189 CLR 51 cited Re Nolan; ex parte Young (1991) 172 CLR 460 cited John v Rees [1970] 1 Ch 345 referred to Carnie v Esanda Finance Corporation Ltd (1995) 182 CLR 398 referred to Shepherd v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (1996) 20 ACSR 81 cited Hansberry v Lee 311 US 32 (1940) referred to Mullane v Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co 339 US 306 (1950) referred to Eisen v Carlisle 417 US 156 (1974) referred to Phillips Petroleum Co v Shutts 472 US 797 (1985) referred to Ortiz v Fibreboard Corporation 527 US 1 (1999) referred to Georgiadis v Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (1994) 179 CLR 297 cited South Australia v Commonwealth (1992) 174 CLR 235 referred to