Morris v Alcon Laboratories (Australia) Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 151

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Morris v Alcon Laboratories (Australia) Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 151

TRADE PRACTICES – defective goods – alleged injury to eye from lens – pleading of defect – particularisation limited to fact of injury – intention to argue case on the basis of inference and expert evidence of injury- whether pleading insufficient or further particulars should be ordered PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – claim of liability for defective goods – pleading of defect – particularisation limited to fact of injury – intention to argue case on basis of inference and expert evidence of injury – whether claim should be dismissed, struck out or further particularisation ordered Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 74B, 74D, 75AC, 75AC(1), 75AC(2), 75AC(2)(a)-(f), 75AD Federal Court Rules O 11 r 16, O 20 r 2, O 62 r 3(3), O 62 r 7(1)(c) Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Glendale Chemical Products Pty Ltd (1998) 40 IPR 619 approved Bright v Femcare Ltd (2000) 175 ALR 50 discussed The Nominal Defendant v Haslbauer (1967) 117 CLR 448 followed Vasyli v AOL International Pty Ltd (Lehane J, 19 August 1996, unreported) referred to Multigroup Distribution Services Pty Ltd v TNT Australia Pty Ltd (1996) ATPR 41-522 referred to Courtney v Medtel Pty Limited [2003] FCA 36 referred to Stack v Brisbane City Council (1996) 71 FCR 523 distinguished MARGARET MORRIS v ALCON LABORATORIES (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD and STUART LOCKERBIE W191 of 2002 RD NICHOLSON J 6 MARCH 2003 PERTH

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY W191 OF 2002

BETWEEN: MARGARET MORRIS

APPLICANT

AND: ALCON LABORATORIES (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD ACN 000 740 830

FIRST RESPONDENT

STUART LOCKERBIE

SECOND RESPONDENT

JUDGE: RD NICHOLSON J