Christoforidis v Cygnet Bulk Carriers SA [2002] FCA 690

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Christoforidis v Cygnet Bulk Carriers SA [2002] FCA 690 ADMIRALTY – collision between two vessels – application seeking damages – maritime safety investigation into circumstances of collision – subpoena for production of documents and records relating to report produced by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau – privilege claimed on basis that the Navigation (Marine Casualty) Regulations 1990 (Cth) generally prohibit such disclosure and on basis of public interest immunity – privilege – disclosure – whether regulations prevent disclosure – whether Court is a person – public interest in administration of justice – stages of production and tender of documents under subpoena – whether divulging of information – whether grant of access is authorising disclosure of information – interpretation of law giving effect to International Code – whether provisions ambiguous

Navigation (Maritime Safety) Regulations 1990 (Cth) reg 15 Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15AB Australian National Airlines Commission v The Commonwealth (1975) 132 CLR 582 referred to Waind v Hill and National Employers Mutual General Association Limited [1978] 1 NSWLR 372 discussed The Sanko Steamship Company Limited v Sumitomo Australia Limited (1992) 37 FCR 353 followed Canadian Pacific Tobacco Limited v Stapleton (1952) 86 CLR 1 cited Hilton v Wells (1985) 157 CLR 57 cited Commissioner of Taxation v Nestlé Australia Limited (1986) 12 FCR 257 cited Renehan v Commonwealth of Australia [2001] NTSC 56 not followed Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh (1995) 183 CLR 273 referred to

ANDREW CHRISTOFORIDIS and GEORGE CHRISTOFORIDIS v

CYGNET BULK CARRIERS SA, KYOKUTO SHIPPING CO LIMITED,

MITSUI OSK LINES LIMITED, MO SHIP MANAGEMENT CO LIMITED

N 1411 OF 2001

TAMBERLIN J

SYDNEY

31 MAY 2002