G & J Gears Australia Pty Ltd v Brobo Group Pty Ltd [2006] FCA 330

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

G & J Gears Australia Pty Ltd v Brobo Group Pty Ltd [2006] FCA 330 CORPORATIONS - review of registrar's decision pursuant to s 35A(6) of Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – application made pursuant to s 459G of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to set aside statutory demand – whether offsetting claim existed – application to extend time for compliance with statutory demand after registrar's order extending time had expired – Court had no authority to set aside statutory demand or extend time for compliance after time for compliance had expired PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – request for leave to amend notice of motion to include application to restrain winding up proceedings on the basis of an abuse of process – whether Court had authority to restrain an alleged abuse of process of another court – interlocutory injunction application to restrain use of intellectual property – no serious question to be tried – balance of convenience did not favour grant of injunction Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s 459E , s 459F, s 459 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), s 35A(6) Equuscorp Pty Ltd v Perpetual Trustees WA Ltd (1997) 25 ACSR 675 referred to Williams v Spautz (1992) 174 CLR 509 discussed Livestock Traders International Pty Ltd v Bui (1996) 22 ACSR 51 followed Graywinter Management Pty Ltd v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (1996) 22 ACSR 636 referred to Shakespeares Pie Co Australia Pty Ltd v Multipye Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 1201 referred to Australian Beverage Distributors Pty Ltd v Cranswick Premium Wines Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 877 referred to Vista Commercial Construction Pty Ltd v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (1997) 25 ACSR 285 referred to Graywinter Properties Pty Ltd v Dyer (1997) 15 ACLC 302 referred to Mazukov v University of Tasmania [2004] FCAFC 159 referred to Cottrell v Wilcox [2001] FCA 866 referred to Energy Equity Corporation Ltd v Sinedie Pty Ltd [2001] WASCA 419 referred to David Grant & Co Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation (1995) 184 CLR 265 referred to Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 distinguished Graywinter Properties Pty Ltd v Gas & Fuel Corporation Superannuation Fund (1996) 14 ACLC 1703 referred to Meadowfield Pty Ltd v Gold Coast Holdings Pty Ltd (in liq) [2001] WASCA 360 referred to Spencer Constructions Pty Ltd v G & M Aldridge Pty Ltd (1997) 76 FCR 542 referred to Chase Manhattan Ltd v Oscty Pty Ltd (1995) 17 ACSR 128 referred to Intag Microelectronics Pty Ltd v AWA Ltd (1995) 18 ACSR 284 referred to Deangrove Pty Ltd v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (2001) 37 ACSR 465 referred to Perpetual Plantations of Australia Ltd v United Tree Farmers Ltd (1993) 10 ACSR 82 referred to Shanefield Pty Ltd v McLaren [1999] QSC 366 referred to Culture International Pty Ltd v Scoles (1991) 32 FCR 275 referred to Hunter v Leahy (1999) 91 FCR 214 referred to Burton v President, &c., of the Shire of Bairnsdale (1908) 7 CLR 76 referred to Walton v Gardiner (1993) 177 CLR 378 referred to David Grant & Co Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation (1995) 184 CLR 265 referred to Marlan Financial Services Pty Ltd v New England Agricultural Traders Pty Ltd [1999] VSC 435 referred to G & J GEARS PTY LTD (ACN 092 412 434) AND BROBO GROUP PTY LTD (ACN 098 264 316), ROCK SOLID PRODUCTS PTY LTD (ACN 117 283 986) AND DANIEL SIDNEY MILTON VID 1033 OF 2005 VID 1050 OF 2005 KENNY J 31 MARCH 2006 MELBOURNE