Verge v Devere Holdings Pty Ltd [2009] FCA 832

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Verge v Devere Holdings Pty Ltd [2009] FCA 832 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – discovery and inspection – application for discovery and inspection of documents relating to settlement of a separate proceeding – without prejudice privilege claimed – scope of privilege – public policy considerations – whether without prejudice negotiations 'pleaded into relevance' – whether privilege waived – whether 'subject matter' or parties the same

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) s 120, 120(1), 120(6), 120(7) Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 131(1), 131(2)(g) Accredited (Wholesale Tobacco) Distributors v Griffiths[2003] VSC 20 Alstom Power Ltd v Yokogawa Australia Pty Ltd (No 3) [2009] SASC 100 Austotel Management Pty Ltd v Jamieson (1995) 57 FCR 411 Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v FFE Building Services Pty Ltd (2003) ATPR 41-967 Bloss Holdings Pty Ltd v Brackley Industries Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 756 Brown v Commissioner of Taxation (Cth) (2001) 187 ALR 714 Field v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) (1957) 99 CLR 285 Glengallan Investments Pty Ltd v Andersen [2002] 1 Qd R 233 Hong Kong Bank of Australia Ltd v Murphy (1992) 28 NSWLR 512 Hongkong Bank of Australia Ltd v Murphy [1993] 2 VR 419 Mathieson v Booth [2000] VSC 89 Mercantile Mutual Custodians Pty Ltd v Village/Nine Network Restaurants & Bars Pty Ltd [2001] 1 Qd R 276 Pitts v Adney (1961) 78 WN (NSW) 886 Quad Consulting Pty Ltd v David R Bleakley & Associates Pty Ltd (1991) 27 FCR 86 Rush & Tompkins Ltd v Greater London Council [1989] AC 1280 State of Western Australia v Southern Equities Corporation Limited (1996)69 FCR 245 Verge & Anor v Devere Holdings Pty Ltd & Ors (No 3) [2008] FMCA 1220 Verge & Anor v Devere Holdings Pty Ltd & Ors (No.2) [2008] FMCA 743 Verge & Anor v Devere Holdings Pty Ltd & Ors (No.4) [2008] FMCA 1421 Verge & Anor v Devere Holdings Pty Ltd & Ors [2008] FMCA 591