Direct Factory Outlets Homebush Pty Ltd v Property Council of Australia Ltd [2005] FCA 1002

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Direct Factory Outlets Homebush Pty Ltd v Property Council of Australia Ltd [2005] FCA 1002 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – power of the Court to decide any question separate from the trial in the proceedings – demurrer not available in the Federal Court – dangers that stem from the separate determination of questions – circumstances of the case render separate determination of questions appropriate – Federal Court Rules O 29 r 2

Federal Court Rules O 11 r 9, O 11 r 16, O 20 r 3, O 29 r 1, O 29 r 2 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 45(2)(a)(ii), 45(2)(b)(ii) High Court Rules 2004 r 27.07 Tepko Pty Ltd v Water Board (2001) 206 CLR 1, cited Bass v Permanent Trustee Co Ltd (1999) 198 CLR 334, discussed Director of Fisheries (Northern Territory) v Arnhem Land Aboriginal Land Trust (2001) 109 FCR 488, cited Harts Australia Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (2001) 109 FCR 405, cited Kockums AB v Commonwealth [2002] FCAFC 138, cited Reading Australia Pty Ltd v Australian Mutual Providence Society [1999] FCA 718, cited South Australia v Commonwealth (1962) 108 CLR 130, cited Kathleen Investments (Australia) Ltd v Australian Atomic Energy Commission (1977) 139 CLR 117, cited Hughes and Vale Pty Ltd v New South Wales (1952) 87 CLR 49, cited Levy v Victoria (1997) 189 CLR 579, discussed Direct Factory Outlets Homebush Pty Ltd v Property Council of Australia Ltd and Ors NSD 740 of 2003 SACKVILLE J SYDNEY 22 JULY 2005

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY N 740 of 2003

BETWEEN: DIRECT FACTORY OUTLETS HOMEBUSH PTY LIMITED (ACN 094 951 112)

APPLICANT

AND: PROPERTY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED

(ACN 008 474 422)

FIRST RESPONDENT

WESTFIELD MANAGEMENT LIMITED

(ACN 001 670 579)