Mobileworld Operating Pty Ltd (ACN 090 451 433) v Telstra Corporation Limited (ACN 051 775 556) & Ors [2005] FCA 292

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Mobileworld Operating Pty Ltd (ACN 090 451 433) v Telstra Corporation Limited (ACN 051 775 556) & Ors [2005] FCA 292 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Pleading – Application to strike out certain paragraphs of Statement of Claim – Cross-application for leave to further amend – Whether reasonable cause of action disclosed – Whether parts of pleading embarrassing.

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA – Jurisdiction to strike out discretionary - Ordering further particulars and allowing proposed amendments an alternative to striking out. COLLATERAL CONTRACT – Whether an inconsistency between terms of collateral contract and main contract rendered a claim untenable. TRADE PRACTICES – Causation – Whether allegations pleaded properly.

Federal Court Rules, O 11 r 16, O12 r 5, O 13 r 2(1) and O 20 r 2(1) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 51A, 52, 82 and 87 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Golden West Network Pty Ltd and Ors [1997] FCA 792 referred to Beach Petroleum N.L. and Another v Johnson and Others (1991) 105 ALR 456 referred to Bond Corporation Pty Ltd v Thiess (1987) 14 FCR 215 referred to B.P. Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1977) 180 CLR 266 referred to March v Stramare (E. & M. H.) Pty Ltd (1991) 171 CLR 506 referred to Dare v Pulham (1982) 148 CLR 658 referred to De Lassalle v Guildford [1901] 2 KB 215 referred to Demagogue Pty Ltd v Ramensky (1992) 39 FCR 31 considered Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioners (1949) 78 CLR 62 followed Equuscorp Pty Ltd v Glengallan Investments Pty Ltd (2004) 211 ALR 101 referred to Ford Motor Company of Australia Ltd v Arrowcrest Group Pty Ltd (2003) 134 FCR 522 referred to General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (N.S.W.) and Ors (1964) 112 CLR 125 followed Henville v Walker (2001) 206 CLR 459 referred to Heilbut, Symons & Co v Buckleton [1913] AC 30 referred to Hodges and Anor v State of New South Wales and Anor (1987-88) 77 ALR 1 referred to Hoyt's Proprietary Ltd v Spencer (1919) 27 CLR 133 considered J.J. Savage& Sons v Blakney (1970) 119 CLR 435 referred to Kirela Pty Ltd v Westfield Holdings Ltd [2002] FCA 1223 referred to McKellar v Container Terminal Management Services Ltd (1999) 165 ALR 409 referred to Marks v GIO Australia Holdings (1998) 196 CLR 494 referred to Marks v Hunt Bros (Sydney) Pty Ltd [1958] SR (NSW) 380 referred to Maybury v Atlantic Union Oil Co. Ltd (1953) 89 CLR 507 referred to Mitanis v Pioneer Concrete (Vic) Pty Ltd [1997] ATPR 44, 147 (41-591) referred to Multigroup Distribution Services Pty Ltd v TNT Australia Pty Ltd [1996] ATPR 42, 677 (41-522) referred to Murphy v Overton Investments Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 3 referred to Pioneer Electronics Australia Pty Ltd v Edge Technology Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 142 referred to L'Estrange v F. Graucob Ltd[1934] 2 KB 394 referred to Telstra Corporation Ltd v Bos (unreported) 18 June 1996 (Sup. Ct. Vic) referred to Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 211 ALR 342 considered Trade Practices Commission v Pioneer Concrete (QLD) Pty Ltd and Others (1994) 52 FCR 164 followed Wardley Australia Ltd v Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 referred to Yorke v Lucas (1985) 158 CLR 661 referred to MOBILEWORLD OPERATING PTY LTD (ACN 090 451 433) v TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED (ACN 041 775 556) & ORS CRENNAN J 23 MARCH 2005 MELBOURNE