Lion-Dairy & Drinks Pty Limited v Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (No 4) [2014] FCA 896

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Lion-Dairy & Drinks Pty Limited v Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (No 4) [2014] FCA 896 Citation: Lion-Dairy & Drinks Pty Limited v Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (No 4) [2014] FCA 896

Parties: LION-DAIRY & DRINKS PTY LIMITED ACN 004 486 631, BERRI PTY LIMITED ACN 008 077 889 and LD & D AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ACN 083 019 390 v JACOBS GROUP (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD; JACOBS GROUP (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD; LABPOINT PTY LTD ACN 096 903 749 and OVIVO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ACN 089 029 809

File number(s): NSD 1287 of 2013

Judge(s): GRIFFITHS J

Date of judgment: 22 August 2014

Catchwords: PRACTICE & PROCEDURE – interlocutory application to have separate hearings on liability and damages – where originating application included a claim under s 52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) – possibility that witnesses may be called to give evidence at both trials – where splitting the trial could prolong the litigation – consideration of Reading Australia Pty Ltd v AMP Society (1999) 217 ALR 495

Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)

Cases cited: Andrews v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited [2011] FCA 388 Bellgrove v Eldridge (1954) 90 CLR 613 Instyle Contract Textiles Pty Ltd v Good Environmental Choice Services Pty Ltd (No 2) [2010] FCA 466 Liberty Financial Pty Ltd v Scott [2003] FCA 226 Nunagan Holdings Pty Ltd v Evertop Investments Pty Ltd (No 2) [2010] FCA 1228 Reading Australia Pty Ltd v AMP Society (1999) 217 ALR 495 University of Sydney v ResMed Limited (No 5) [2012] FCA 232