GEC Marconi Systems Pty Limited v BHP Information Technology Pty Limited [2003] FCA 688

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

GEC Marconi Systems Pty Limited v BHP Information Technology Pty Limited [2003] FCA 688 INTEREST – s 51A of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – rate of interest – the Court's usual practice – the purposes of prejudgment interest awards – "ordinary commercial rates" – difference between investment and borrowing bases of compensation. INTEREST – rates of interest – guidance from Practice Direction of ACT Supreme Court – opinion evidence adduced of how the parent company of the successful party would have used the judgment monies – not a Hungerfords claim – lower rates proposed than those in Practice Direction – Practice Direction followed. COSTS – purported Calderbank offer – offer inclusive of interest and costs – practice of Court in relation to such offers. COSTS – discounting costs of successful party – unsuccessful on a number of issues. COSTS – third party claim – rendered of no consequence because of cross-claimant's successful defence of application against it – whether third party entitled to its costs. COSTS – third party claim – whether unsuccessful cross-claimant entitled to pass on its third party costs liability to the unsuccessful applicant – applicable principles in such third party cases. COSTS – subpoena – Commonwealth policing agreement with party served – confidentiality and public interest immunity – whether costs incurred recoverable under s 43 of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth).

GEC Marconi Systems Pty Ltd v BHP Information Technology Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 50 cited Namol Pty Ltd v A W Baulderstone Pty Ltd (No 2) (1993) 47 FCR 388 cited Kettle Chip Company Pty Ltd v Apand Pty Ltd (No 2) (1998) 83 FCR 466 cited HK Frost Holdings Pty Ltd (in liq) v Darvall McCutcheon (a firm) [1999] FCA 795 cited McCormick v Riverwood International (Australia) Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 32 cited EMCL Pty Ltd v ESANDA Finance Corp Ltd [1999] FCA 978 cited White Industries (Qld) Pty Ltd (in liq) v Flower & Hart (2000) 103 FCR 559 cited Grincelis v House (2000) 201 CLR 321 applied J S Hill & Associates v Dawn [2001] ACTSC 28 cited Gould v Vaggelas (1985) 157 CLR 215 cited Serisier Investments Pty Ltd v English [1989] 1 Qd R 678 applied Cremer v General Carriers SA [1974] 1 WLR 341 cited Smith v In Shoppe Pty Ltd [1976] 2 NSWLR 175 cited R W Miller & Co Pty Ltd v The Ship Patris [1975] 1 NSWLR 704 cited Hungerfords v Walker (1990) 171 CLR 125 cited Oshlack v Richmond River Council (1998) 193 CLR 72 cited MGICA (1992) Pty Ltd v Kenny & Good Pty Ltd (No 2) (1996) 72 FCR 236 applied Re Wilcox; Ex parte Venture Industries Pty Ltd (No 2) (1996) 72 FCR 151 applied Smallacombe v Lockyer Investment Co Pty Ltd (1993) 42 FCR 97 cited Hanave Pty Ltd v LFOT Pty Ltd [1998] FCA 1429 cited Dr Martens Australia Pty Ltd v Figgins Holdings Pty Ltd (No 2) [2000] FCA 602 followed MT Associates Pty Ltd v Aqua-Max Pty Ltd (No 3) [2000] VSC 163 cited Black v Lipovac [1998] FCA 699 applied Alpine Hardwoods (Aust) Pty Ltd v Hardys Pty Ltd (No 2) (2002) 190 ALR 121 applied Multicon Engineering Pty Ltd v Federal Airports Corporation (unreported, Rolfe J, 20 June 1996) cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Amcor Printing Papers Group Ltd [2000] FCA 163 applied Hughes v Western Australian Cricket Association (Inc) (1986) 8 ATPR 40-748 followed Inn Leisure Industries Pty Ltd v D F McCloy Pty Ltd (No 2) (1991) 28 FCR 172 cited Gibbett v Forwood Products Pty Ltd (No 2) [2001] FCA 434 cited Australian Prudential Regulation Authority v Holloway (2000) 35 ACSR 276 followed Gladstone Park Shopping Centre Pty Ltd v Ross Wills (1984) 6 FCR 496 cited Mifsud v ICT Pty Ltd (1997) 7 Tas R 148 cited Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534 cited Lombard Insurance Co (Australia) Ltd v Pastro (unreported, FC of SA, 30 March 1994) applied Allman v Daly (No 2) [1959] VR 614 cited Johnson v Ribbins [1977] 1 WLR 1458 applied Victoria University of Technology v Tulleth and Tokyo (Victoria) Ltd (unreported, Supreme Court of Victoria, Beach K, 29 August 1994) cited Australian Guarantee Corporation Ltd v De Jager [1994] VR 483 applied Gold Coast Bakeries (Qld) Pty Ltd v Heat and Control Pty Ltd [1992] 1 Qd R 162 cited Paron v Fry (No 2) [1990] 1 Qd R 550 cited Thomas v Times Book Co Ltd [1966] 1 WLR 911 cited Fertinova Australia Pty Ltd v Samardzija (unreported, Supreme Court of Queensland, MacKenzie J, 10 July 1995) cited L E Cattan Ltd v A Michaelides & Co [1985] 2 All ER 125 followed Henry v Australian Guarantee Corporation Ltd [1985] WAR 137 cited Tristas Pty Ltd v Rohn (unreported, Supreme Court of NSW, 20 May 1993) cited Knight v F P Special Assets Ltd (1992) 174 CLR 178 applied