Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Stott [2013] FCA 88

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Stott [2013] FCA 88 Citation: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Stott [2013] FCA 88

Parties: AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION v LESLIE FORSYTH STOTT

File number(s): VID 504 of 2012

Judge: MIDDLETON J

Date of judgment: 7 February 2013

Catchwords: TRADE PRACTICES – CONSUMER PROTECTION Pyramid selling schemes – Pyramid schemes – Misleading and deceptive conduct – False or misleading representations as to profitability, risk or material aspect of business activities – 'Knowingly concerned in and party to' – Statement of agreed facts – Relief by consent – Declaratory relief – Injunctive relief – Disqualification order – Appropriate duration of disqualification order

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No. 1) 2010 (Cth) Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No. 2) 2010 (Cth)

Cases cited: ACCC v Halkalia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] FCA 535 ACCC v Target Australia Pty Ltd (2001) ATPR 41-840; [2001] FCA 1326 ACCC v Z-Tek Computer Pty Ltd (1997) 78 FCR 197 ASIC v Adler (2002) 42 ACSR 80 ICI Australia Operations Pty Limited v Trade Practices Commission (1992) 38 FCR 248 In Forster v Jododex Australia Pty Ltd (1972) 127 CLR 421 NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd v ACCC (1996) 71 FCR 285 OD Transport Pty Ltd v WA Government Railways Commission (1987) 13 FCR 500 Rich v ASIC (2004) 220 CLR 129 Russian Commercial and Industrial Bank v British Bank for Foreign Trade Ltd [1921] 2 AC 438 Thomson Australian Holdings Pty Ltd v TPC (1981) 148 CLR 150