FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Makucha v Brian Tucker & Associates Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 250 PRACTICE & PROCEDURE – application for stay – whether permanent or interlocutory stay is more appropriate – where applicant had failed to put on evidence – where applicant was awaiting advice of senior counsel. PAUL MAKUCHA AND NOTHINTOOHARD PTY LIMITED V BRIAN TUCKER & ASSOCIATES PTY LIMITED, BRIAN TUCKER, NEPEAN ENGINEERING PTY LIMITED, LEAN & HAYWARD PTY LIMITED AND PHILIP HAYWARD NO. N 869 OF 2002 BEAUMONT J 19 MARCH 2003 SYDNEY IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY N 869 OF 2002 BETWEEN: PAUL MAKUCHA FIRST APPLICANT NOTHINTOOHARD PTY LIMITED SECOND APPLICANT AND: BRIAN TUCKER & ASSOCIATES PTY LIMITED FIRST RESPONDENT BRIAN TUCKER SECOND RESPONDENT NEPEAN ENGINEERING PTY LIMITED THIRD RESPONDENT LEAN & HAYWARD PTY LIMITED FOURTH RESPONDENT PHILIP HAYWARD FIFTH RESPONDENT JUDGE: BEAUMONT J DATE OF ORDER: 19 MARCH 2003 WHERE MADE: SYDNEY THE COURT ORDERS THAT: 1. An interlocutory order staying the proceedings until further order be granted with liberty to apply to vary or discharge the stay upon seven days notice. 2. The applicants pay the costs of the respondents of the proceedings to date. Note: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules. IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY N 869 OF 2002 BETWEEN: PAUL MAKUCHA FIRST APPLICANT NOTHINTOOHARD PTY LIMITED SECOND APPLICANT AND: BRIAN TUCKER & ASSOCIATES PTY LIMITED FIRST RESPONDENT BRIAN TUCKER SECOND RESPONDENT NEPEAN ENGINEERING PTY LIMITED THIRD RESPONDENT LEAN & HAYWARD PTY LIMITED FOURTH RESPONDENT PHILIP HAYWARD FIFTH RESPONDENT JUDGE: BEAUMONT J DATE: 19 MARCH 2003 PLACE: SYDNEY REASONS FOR JUDGMENT Beaumont J: 1 The background to the present application seeking, by way of notice of motion, orders for the summary dismissal or permanent stay of these proceedings is described in the chronology "MFI 1" and the written submissions of the fourth and fifth respondents, "MFI 2", which I need not repeat. 2 I have been informed this morning by Mr Makucha, who now appears in person, his former solicitors having withdrawn from the proceedings, that tomorrow he is seeking advice from Senior Counsel on the matter. 3 In those circumstances, whilst the Court is obviously concerned at the lack of apparent progress in the proceedings on the part of the applicants, I am of the view that the appropriate order to make at this stage is to grant an interlocutory order staying the proceedings until further order. As I have indicated in the course of argument, I will reserve liberty to apply to vary or discharge the stay upon seven days notice, but my present view is that I would only lift the stay in the event that I were to be persuaded, on evidence, that the applicants have a reasonably arguable case. 4 I will, however, order that the applicants pay the costs of the respondents of the proceedings to date, given the history of default indicated in the chronology and submissions "MFI 1" and "MFI 2" respectively, and I so order. I certify that the preceding four (4) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Beaumont. Associate: Dated: 28 March 2003 Solicitor for the First & Second Applicants: Mr P Makucha appeared in person Solicitor for the First & Second Respondents: Phillips Fox Solicitor for the Third Respondent: Marsdens Counsel for the Fourth & Fifth Respondents: Ms J Lonergan Solicitor for the Fourth & Fifth Respondents: Colin Biggers & Paisley Date of Hearing: 19 March 2003 Date of Judgment: 19 March 2003