Cassidy v NRMA Health Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 1228

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Cassidy v Nrma Health Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 1228 Trade Practices – misleading and deceptive conduct – whether advertising agency could be liable as a principal rather than via accessorial liability. WORDS & PHRASES – "representation". Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth), ss 12DA, 12DB, 12GB, 12GD, 12GF, 12GI and 12GM. Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 52(1), 53, 65A, 75B, 79, 80, 82 and 87.

Webb v Bloch (1928) 41 CLR 331 considered Taco Company of Australia Inc v Taco Bell Pty Limited (1982) 42 ALR 177 applied Universal Telecasters (Qld) Limited v Guthrie (1978) 18 ALR 531 applied Thompson v Riley McKay Pty Limited (1980) 29 ALR 267 applied Barton v Croner Trading Pty Limited (1984) 3 FCR 95 applied Gardam v George Wills & Co Ltd (1988) 82 ALR 415 considered Brown v Jam Factory Pty Ltd (1981) 35 ALR 79 referred to Thompson v Australian Capital Television Pty Limited (1996) 186 CLR 574 referred to Yorke v Lucas (1985) 158 CLR 661 referred to Gatley on Libel & Slander, 9th ed, 1998.

BRIAN CASSIDY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION & AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES

AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION v NRMA HEALTH PTY LIMITED (ACN 075 799 236) & NRMA INSURANCE LIMITED (ACN 000 016 722) & SAATCHI & SAATCHI AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (ACN 001 720 921)

N 3011 of 2001

JACOBSON J 3 OCTOBER 2002 SYDNEY

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY N 3011 of 2001

BETWEEN: BRIAN CASSIDY

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION

AND CONSUMER COMMISSION

FIRST APPLICANT

AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES

AND INVESTMENTS COMMISSION

SECOND APPLICANT

AND: NRMA HEALTH PTY LIMITED

ACN 075 799 236