Austal Ships Pty Ltd (ACN 079 160 679) v Thurlow (No 2)[2007] FCA 202

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Austal Ships Pty Ltd (ACN 079 160 679) v Thurlow (No 2)[2007] FCA 202

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – preliminary discovery to ascertain prospective respondents – confidential internal research report – disclosure by employee of competitor – published to third parties to disparage applicant's product – former employee of applicant now working for competitor – preliminary discovery orders made – supplementary orders for examination of individuals and of corporations by specified officers – orders made AUSTAL SHIPS PTY LTD (ACN 079 160 679) v STEVE THURLOW WAD 162 OF 2006 AUSTAL SHIPS PTY LTD (ACN 079 160 679) v JUSTIN PATRICK MERRIGAN WAD 163 OF 2006 AUSTAL SHIPS PTY LTD (ACN 079 160 679) v INCAT AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (ACN 051 556 855), INCAT MARKETING PTY LTD (ACN 085 060 408), INCAT CHARTERING PTY LTD (ACN 059 233 046), INCAT FINANCE PTY LTD (ACN 056 869 946), INCAT OFFSHORE PTY LTD (ACN 071 054 058), INCAT TASMANIA PTY LTD (ACN 054 616 410), INCAT INVESTMENTS PTY LTD (ACN 009 570 325), RF CLIFFORD PTY LTD (ACN 009 539 642) AND INTER CATS (TASMANIA) PTY LTD (ACN 009 539 642) WAD 165 OF 2006 FRENCH J

26 FEBRUARY 2007

PERTH IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY WAD 165 OF 2006

BETWEEN: AUSTAL SHIPS PTY LTD (ACN 079 160 679)

Applicant

AND: INCAT AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (ACN 051 556 855)

First Respondent

INCAT MARKETING PTY LTD (ACN 085 060 408)

Second Respondent

INCAT CHARTERING PTY LTD (ACN 059 233 046)

Third Respondent

INCAT FINANCE PTY LTD (ACN 056 869 946)

Fourth Respondent

INCAT OFFSHORE PTY LTD (ACN 071 054 058)

Fifth Respondent

INCAT TASMANIA PTY LTD (ACN 054 616 410)

Sixth Respondent

INCAT INVESTMENTS PTY LTD (ACN 009 570 325)