Software Engineers Australia (NSW) Pty Ltd v Bonket Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 1168

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Software Engineers Australia (NSW) Pty Ltd v Bonket Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 1168 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – simultaneous proceedings before Federal Court of Australia and Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session – where related proceeding commenced prior to Federal Court of Australia proceeding – whether outcome of related proceeding would materially affect Federal Court of Australia proceeding – whether in interests of justice to stay Federal Court of Australia proceeding pending final determination of related proceeding. TRADE PRACTICES – whether claims pursuant to ss 52 and 53 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) should be struck out as statute-barred – whether Trade Practices Amendment Act (No 1) 2001 (Cth) applied so as to extend relevant limitation period to six years. Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth): s 82(2) Trade Practices Amendment Act (No 1) 2001 (Cth): Item 20, Sch 1

Sterling Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd v The Boots Company (Australia) Pty Limited (1992) 34 FCR 287, applied Wardley Australia Ltd v The State of Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514, applied The Environmental Group Ltd v Croudace (Santow J, 7 August 1998, unreported), followed SOFTWARE ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA (NSW) PTY LTD (ACN 006 513 499) & ANOR v BONKET PTY LTD (ACN 069 224 764) V 192 of 2002 GOLDBERG J 19 SEPTEMBER 2002 MELBOURNE

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY V 192 of 2002

BETWEEN: SOFTWARE ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA (NSW) PTY LTD (ACN 006 513 499)

First Applicant

TIMOTHY NORMAN ARUNDELL

Second Applicant

AND: BONKET PTY LTD (ACN 069 224 764)

First Respondent

GEOFFREY BOWKER

Second Respondent

KEITH BOWKER

Third Respondent