Seven Network Limited v News Limited [2005] FCA 915

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Seven Network Limited v News Limited [2005] FCA 915

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – discovery; conclusive nature of affidavit verifying; proper means of disputing privilege claims; circumstances in which a further affidavit verifying should be ordered; when severe costs orders would be appropriate.

Federal Court Rules: O15 R6, 7A, 11 and 14 Spyer v Cuddles 'N' Mum (Franchise) Pty Limited (No 3) [2002] FCA 1563, 20 December 2002 Brookfield v Yevad Products Pty Limited [2002] FCA 1376, 6 November 2002 Fruehauf Finance Corporation Pty Limited v Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (1990) 20 NSWLR 359 Jones v The Monte Video Gas Company [1880] 5 QBD 556 Esso Australia Resources Limited v Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia (1999) 201 CLR 49 National Crime Authority v S (1991) 29 FCR 203 Hartogen Energy Limited (in liq) v Australian Gas Light Company (1992) 36 FCR 557 Re Compass Airlines Pty Limited (1992) 35 FCR 447 Mulley v Manifold (1959) 103 CLR 341 Auspine Limited v H. S. Lawrence & Sons Pty Limited [1999] FCA 1749 Finance Sector Union of Australia v Commonwealth Bank of Australia [2000] FCA 1389 SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED (ACN 052 816 789) & ANOR v NEWS LIMITED (ACN 007 871 178) & ORS NSD 1223 OF 2002 GRAHAM J 7 JULY 2005 SYDNEY

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY NSD1223 OF 2002

BETWEEN: SEVEN NETWORK LTD ACN 052 816 789

& ANOR

APPLICANTS

AND: NEWS LTD ACN 007 871 178 & ORS

RESPONDENTS

JUDGE: GRAHAM J

DATE OF ORDER: 7 JULY 2005

WHERE MADE: SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT: 1. The Amended Notice of Motion filed by the Applicants on 22 June 2005 be dismissed. 2. The Applicants pay the Sixteenth and Twenty-Second Respondents' costs of the Motion filed 17 June 2005 and of the Amended Notice of Motion filed 22 June 2005. 3. Exhibits may be returned. Note: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.