Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Pepe's Ducks Ltd [2013] FCA 570

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Pepe's Ducks Ltd [2013] FCA 570 Citation: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Pepe's Ducks Ltd [2013] FCA 570

Parties: AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION v PEPE'S DUCKS LTD (ACN 001 531 497)

File number: VID 470 of 2012

Judge: BROMBERG J

Date of judgment: 14 June 2013

Catchwords: TRADE PRACTICES – Misleading and deceptive conduct – False and misleading representations as to standard and quality of duck meat products offered for sale – Imposition of pecuniary penalty – discussion of guiding principles relevant to the imposition of a penalty pursuant to s 224 of the Australian Consumer Law – Agreed penalty – Relevant considerations in determining whether agreed penalty is appropriate – Declarations – Injunctions – Corrective notices – Compliance Program.

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2, ss 18, 29(1)(a), 224, 224(1)(a)(ii), 224(2), 224(3), 232, 246(2)(b), 246(2)(c) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 21 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 52, 53(a), 76, 76E(2), 76E(3), 76E(4)

Cases cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Harvey Norman Holdings Limited [2011] FCA 1407 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] FCA 629 NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (1996) 71 FCR 285 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Singtel Optus Pty Ltd (No 4) (2011) 282 ALR 246 Singtel Optus Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2012) 287 ALR 249 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v SMS Global Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 855 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Gourmet Goody's Family Restaurant Pty Ltd [2010] FCA 1216 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v ABB Transmission and Distribution Ltd (No 2) (2002) 190 ALR 169 Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources v Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 72 Ponzio v B & P Caelli Constructions Pty Ltd (2007) 158 FCR 543 Hills v Sutton [2007] FCA 2033 Wells v Locarno Management Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 1034 Alfred v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2011] FCA 556 Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2012] FCA 189 Fair Work Ombudsman v Tiger Telco Pty Ltd (in liq) [2012] FCA 479 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Leahy Petroleum Pty Ltd (No 3) (2005) 215 ALR 301 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Turi Foods Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] FCA 19 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Telstra Corporation Ltd (2010) 188 FCR 238 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Kingisland Meatworks & Cellars Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 48 Tobacco Institute of Australia Ltd v Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations Inc (No 2) (1993) 41 FCR 89 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Chen (2003) 132 FCR 309 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Goldy Motors Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1885 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Midland Brick Co Pty Ltd (2004) 207 ALR 329