Duncan v Lipscombe Child Care Services Inc [2006] FCA 458

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Duncan v Lipscombe Child Care Services Inc [2006] FCA 458 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – strikeout application – whether s 31A Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) applies to proceedings commenced before operation of section – termination of employment - breach of contract claims – whether subsequent Grievance Procedure formed part of contract of employment and applied to applicant – whether statements made at time of termination made in trade or commerce – whether unconscionable – whether, if federal claims struck out, jurisdiction for defamation claim Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 31A Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 51AA, 52 Federal Court Rules O 11 r 16, O 20 r 2 Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioners (1948) 78 CLR 62 cited General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) 1964 112 CLR 125 at 130 cited Rodway v The Queen (1990) 169 CLR 515 applied Maxwell v Murphy (1957) 96 CLR 261 at 267 referred to Brambles Holdings Pty Ltd v Bathurst City Council (2001) 53 NSWLR 153 at 177 cited Integrated Computer Services Pty Ltd v Digital Equipment Corporation (Aust) Pty Ltd (1988) 5 BPR 11,110 at 11,1178 cited Concrete Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594 applied Barto v GPR Management Services Pty Ltd (1991) 33 FCR 389 distinguished Stoelwinder v Southern Health Care Network (2000) 177 ALR 501 distinguished Martin v Tasmania Development and Resources (1999) 163 ALR 79 applied Mulcahy v Hydro-Electric Commission (1998) 85 FCR 170 at 212-213 applied Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v C G Berbatis Holdings Pty Ltd (2003) 214 CLR 51 at [6]-[8], [42]-[46] cited Blomley v Ryan (1956) 99 CLR 362 and Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd v Amadio (1983) 151 CLR 457 cited Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd v Amadio (1983) 151 CLR 457 cited Burgundy Royale Investments Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation (1987) 18 FCR 212 at 219 applied JANET IRENE DUNCAN v LIPSCOMBE CHILD CARE SERVICES INCORPORATED & ANOR TAD 50 of 2005 HEEREY J 28 APRIL 2006 MELBOURNE (HEARD IN HOBART)