Fadu Pty Ltd (ACN 007 815 090) v ACN 008 112 196 Pty Ltd as Trustee of the “International Linen Service Unit Trust” [2007] FCA 1965

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Fadu Pty Ltd (ACN 007 815 090) v ACN 008 112 196 Pty Ltd as Trustee of the "International Linen Service Unit Trust" [2007] FCA 1965 RESTRAINT OF TRADE – disposal of interest in a linen hire service business – restraint of trade clauses – whether activity restrained too extensive in applying to ordinary laundry contracting services – whether state wide restriction too large – evidence of separate regional markets and of respondents not servicing those markets as of course – whether time restraint too long – 5 years – relevance of industry practice of 3 year term contracts

PLEADING – Applicants amended statement of claim to remove all references to Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) claim – Respondents seek leave to amend defence to raise s 45 and s 87(3) of the TP Act as alternative basis of relief – whether leave ought be granted

TRADE PRACTICES – Exclusionary provision contravention – s 87(3) – variation of contract containing an exclusionary provision in such manner as the Court considers just and equitable – relationship to powers under s 87(1), (1A) and (2) and s 4L – whether variation should be ordered – exclusionary provision also invalid at common law

TRADE PRACTICES – s 87(3) – application to be made by party to a "contract" – whether includes named party in a deed poll Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 4D, 4L, 4M, 45, 45B, 45(2), 45(2)(a), 45(2)(b)(i), 47, 51(2)(e), 53(g), 87(1), 87(1A), 87(1B), 87(2), 87(2)(b), 87(3) Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15AB Corporations Act 2001 s 50 Trade Practices Amendment Bill 1977 cl 9

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