Femcare Ltd v Bright [2000] FCA 512

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Femcare Ltd v Bright [2000] FCA 512

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – representative proceedings – validity of Pt IVA of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – whether contrary to Chapter III of the Constitution – judicial power – whether Pt IVA purports to authorise the Court to exercise power in a manner not in accordance with judicial process – whether Pt IVA accords procedural fairness – whether group members provided with adequate notice – whether autonomy of group members infringed – whether abuse of process to make a claim for a collateral purpose – whether Pt IVA representative proceeding falls outside the concept of a "matter" – whether Pt IVA purports to authorise the Court to exercise power in relation to hypothetical questions –– whether operation of Pt IVA permits an acquisition of property otherwise than on "just terms" WORDS & PHRASES – "judicial power", "matter" 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 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D, 33H, 33E, 33J, 33N, 33Q, 33T, 33X, 33Y, 33Z, 33ZB, 33ZF, 33ZG, Federal Court Rules, O 43 rr 1 & 5 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), Pt V, s 82(2) Supreme Court Rules (NSW), Pt 8 r 13(1), Pt 63 rr 2 & 3 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (US), r 23(c)(2) Bright v Femcare Ltd (1999) 166 ALR 743 cited Phillip Morris (Australia) Ltd v Nixon [2000] FCA 229 referred to Wong v Silkfield Pty Ltd (1999) 165 ALR 373 referred to Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Ltd (1981) 147 CLR 589 cited Eisen v Carlisle 417 US 156 (1973) considered Bateman's Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council v The Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund Pty Ltd (1998) 194 CLR 247 considered Nelungaloo Pty Ltd v The Commonwealth (1952) 85 CLR 545 cited Sue v Hill (1999) 163 ALR 648 cited Bass v Permanent Trustee Co Limited (1999) 161 ALR 399 discussed The Queen v Kirby; Ex parte Boilermakers' Society of Australia (1956) 94 CLR 254 referred to Hilton v Wells (1985) 157 CLR 57 referred to Chu Kheng Lim v Minister for Immigration, Local Government & Ethnic Affairs (1992) 176 CLR 1 considered Harris v Caladine (1991) 172 CLR 84 discussed Re Nolan; Ex parte Young (1991) 172 CLR 460 considered Nicholas v The Queen (1998) 193 CLR 173 considered Grollo v Palmer (1995) 184 CLR 348 considered Wilson v Minister for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Affairs (1996) 189 CLR 1 referred to Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (1996) 189 CLR 51 considered Huddart, Parker & Co Pty Ltd v Moorehead (1909) 8 CLR 330 cited Reg v Trade Practices Tribunal; Ex parte Tasmanian Breweries Pty Ltd (1970) 123 CLR 361 cited The Queen v Davison (1954) 90 CLR 353 cited Carnie v Esanda Finance Corporation Ltd (1995) 182 CLR 398 considered Duke of Bedford v Ellis [1901] AC 1 considered Ellis v Duke of Bedford [1899] 1 Ch 494 cited Hichens v Congreve (1828) 4 Russ 562, 38 ER 917 considered John v Rees [1970] Ch 345 cited Zhang v Minister for Immigration, Local Government & Ethnic Affairs (1993) 45 FCR 384 cited Naken v General Motors of Canada Ltd (1983) 144 DLR 385 cited Phillips Petroleum Co v Shutts 472 US 497 (1985) considered Swan Hill Corporation v Bradbury (1937) 56 CLR 746 referred to Mullane v Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co 339 US 306 (1950) considered Markt & Co Ltd v Knight Steamship Co Ltd [1910] 2 KB 1021 referred to Abebe v Commonwealth (1999) 162 ALR 1 considered Truth About Motorways Pty Ltd v Macquarie Infrastructure Investment Management Ltd [2000] HCA 11 referred to Hooper v Kirella Pty Ltd (1999) 167 ALR 358 cited Fencott v Muller (1983) 152 CLR 570 cited Watt v Barnett (1878) 3 QBD 183 cited Chamberlain v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (1988) 164 CLR 502 Daniell's Chancery Practice 8th ed. 1914 Vol 1 Yeazel, "From Group Litigation to Class Action, Part I" (1980) 27 UCLA L Rev 514 Law Reform Commission – Australia Report No 46 Grouped Proceedings in the Federal Court 1988 FEMCARE LIMITED v KERRIE BRIGHT N 1275 OF 1999 BLACK CJ, SACKVILLE & EMMETT JJ SYDNEY 19 APRIL 2000