PCH Offshore Pty Ltd (ACN 086 216 444) v Dunn (No 2) [2010] FCA 897

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

PCH Offshore Pty Ltd (ACN 086 216 444) v Dunn (No 2) [2010] FCA 897

Citation: PCH Offshore Pty Ltd (ACN 086 216 444) v Dunn (No 2) [2010] FCA 897

Parties: PCH OFFSHORE PTY LTD (ACN 086 216 444) v CRAIG MICHAEL DUNN

File number: WAD 68 of 2009

Judge: SIOPIS J

Date of judgment: 20 August 2010

Catchwords: PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW – applicant brought proceedings against respondent in Azerbaijan – applicant claimed compensation from the respondent in Azerbaijan proceedings – claim for compensation based on acts and omissions of respondent that occurred in Azerbaijan – applicant amended claim in Azerbaijan to withdraw claim for compensation and claim only production of documents by respondent – Azerbaijan court made orders for production of some documents and otherwise dismissed the claim – applicant commenced proceeding in Australia claiming compensation from respondent in respect of acts and omissions relied on in the Azerbaijani proceedings – whether the applicant estopped from proceeding in Australia – whether Australia was a clearly inappropriate forum.

Legislation: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 180, 181, 182, 183, 1317H(1), 1317H(2) Federal Court Rules O 8 r 2 Item 12, O 8 r 3(2)

Cases cited: Voth v Manildra Flour Mills Proprietary Limited (1990) 171 CLR 538 Heilbrunn v Lightwood PLC [2007] FCA 433 Western Australia v Vetter Trittler Pty Ltd (in liq) (1991) 30 FCR 102 Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Proprietary Limited (1981) 147 CLR 589 Carl Zeiss Stiftung v Rayner & Keeler Ltd (No 2) [1976] 1 AC 853 Charm Maritime Inc v Kyriakou [1987] 1 Lloyd's Rep 433 Regie Nationale des Usines Renault SA v Zhang (2002) 210 CLR 491 McGregor v Potts (2005) 68 NSWLR 109 Reinsurance Australia Corporation Ltd v HIH Casualty and General Insurance (in liq) (2003) 254 ALR 29 CSR Limited v Cigna Insurance Australia Limited (1977) 189 CLR 345