Pitman v Pantzer (Trustee of the Bankrupt Estate of Thomas Richard Wenkart) [2001] FCA 957

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pitman v Pantzer (Trustee of the Bankrupt Estate of Thomas Richard Wenkart) [2001] FCA 957

BANKRUPTCY – claim for an order reversing decision of Trustee to reject proofs of debt – where claim based on indemnity chain – whether benefits of certain judgments assigned by Deed – whether rights to lodge proofs of debt assigned – whether applicant under an obligation to pay – whether a promise to indemnify is capable of proof – consideration of rule against double proofs (or double dividends) – whether rule against double dividends relevant in particular circumstances.

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) Day & Dent Constructions Pty Ltd (in Liq) v North Australian Properties Pty Ltd (1982) 150 CLR 85 cited Re Oriental Commercial Bank; Ex parte European Bank (1871) 7 LR Ch App 99 followed Re Fenton; Ex parte Fenton Textile Association Ltd (1931) 1 Ch 85 followed Staples v Milner (1998) 83 FCR 203 followed Neville Loeskow v Avokah Irrigation Pty Ltd (Full Federal Court (Lockhart, Ryan and Foster JJ), 24 April 1996, unreported, followed Barclays Bank Ltd v T.O.S.G. Trust Fund Ltd (1984) AC 626 cited Western Australia v Bond Corporation Holdings Ltd (No. 2) (1992) 37 FCR 150 cited Lumley v Oceanfast Marine (2000) NSWSC 1178 cited Grant v John Grant & Sons Pty Ltd (1954) 91 CLR 112 followed Perri v Coolangatta Investments Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 537 followed Brown v Heffer (1967) 116 CLR 344 followed Ex parte Ford (1885) 16 QBD 305 followed Hardy v Fothergill (1888) 13 AC 351 followed In re Moss; ex parte Hallett [1905] 2 KB 307 followed ALAN PITMAN V WARREN PANTZER (TRUSTEE OF THE BANKRUPT ESTATE OF THOMAS RICHARD WENKART) N7752 OF 2000 JUDGE: BEAUMONT J DATE: 13 JULY 2001 PLACE: SYDNEY

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY N7752 OF 2000

BETWEEN: ALAN PITMAN