Liberty Financial Pty Ltd v Scott [2003] FCA 226

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Liberty Financial Pty Ltd v Scott [2003] FCA 226 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Federal Court Rules – application for order that question of liability be determined separately from question of damages – application made under O 29 r 2 – factors to be considered in exercise of Court's discretion – Federal Court Rules, O 29 r 2

Liberty Financial Pty Ltd (ACN 077 248 983) v Scott [2002] FCA 345 at [3]–[13] referred to Rhone–Poulenc Agrochimie SA v UIM Chemical Services Pty Ltd (1985) 10 FCR 567 referred to Tallglen Pty Ltd v Pay TV Holdings Pty Ltd (1996) 22 ACSR 130 at 141-2 followed Reading Australia Pty Ltd v Australian Mutual Provident Society [1999] FCA 718 at [8]–[9] referred to Energy Australia v Australian Energy Limited [2001] FCA 1049 at [7] referred to Novartis Crop Protection Australasia Pty Ltd v Orica Australia Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 1013 referred to Idoport Pty Ltd v National Australia Bank Ltd [2000] NSWSC 1215 referred to Digi International Inc. v Stallion Technologies Pty Ltd [2001] QSC 442 referred to Tepko Pty Ltd v Water Board (2001) 206 CLR 1 at 55 followed Australian National Industries Ltd v Spedley Securities Ltd (in liq) (1992) 26 NSWLR 441 referred to LIBERTY FINANCIAL PTY LTD (ACN 077 248 983) AND SHERMAN MA v TREVOR WILLIAM SCOTT AND BLUESTONE GROUP PTY LIMITED T/A BLUESTONE MORTGAGES (ACN 091 201 357) V1256 of 2001 WEINBERG J 21 MARCH 2003 MELBOURNE

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY V1256 OF 2001

BETWEEN: LIBERTY FINANCIAL PTY LTD (ACN 077 248 983)

FIRST APPLICANT

SHERMAN MA

SECOND APPLICANT

AND: TREVOR WILLIAM SCOTT

FIRST RESPONDENT

BLUESTONE GROUP PTY LTD t/a BLUESTONE MORTGAGES (ACN 091 201 357)

SECOND RESPONDENT