Tran v Pu [2015] FCA 97

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Tran v Pu [2015] FCA 97 Citation: Tran v Pu [2015] FCA 97

Appeal from: Tran v Pu [2014] FCCA 1980

Parties: PHILLIP TRAN v FENG PU

File number(s): VID 539 of 2014

Judge(s): BEACH J

Date of judgment: 20 February 2015

Catchwords: BANKRUPTCY – appeal against dismissal of review of sequestration order – Deed of Settlement in place between parties – construction of Deed – whether Deed a bar to bringing the application for review – the Court's duty to carry out a rehearing de novo – requirements of s 52 of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) – contractual bar cannot foreclose the Court's function under s 52 – the Court's discretion to go behind a judgment – whether there is in substance a debt – appeal allowed and matter remitted

Legislation: Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) ss 52, 153B Federal Circuit Court of Australia Act 1999 (Cth) ss 17A(2), 104(2) Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001 (Cth) rr 13.10, 20.03(a) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 25(1AA)(a)

Cases cited: Ahern v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (Qld) (1987) 76 ALR 137 Ali v Retail Decisions Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 1130 Allesch v Maunz (2000) 203 CLR 172 Corney v Brien (1951) 84 CLR 343 Craig v South Australia (1995) 184 CLR 163 Ex parte Lennox; In re Lennox (1885) 16 QBD 315 Flint v Richard Busuttil & Co Pty Ltd (2013) 216 FCR 375 Harris v Caladine (1991) 172 CLR 84 In re Fraser; Ex parte Central Bank of London [1892] 2 QB 633 In re Hawkins; Ex parte Troup [1895] 1 QB 404 Kyriackou v Shield Mercantile Pty Ltd (No 2) [2004] FCA 1338 Martin v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (2001) 217 ALR 634 Pattison v Hadjimouratis (2006) 155 FCR 226 Shaw v Yarranova Pty Ltd [2014] FCAFC 171 Totev v Sfar (2008) 167 FCR 193 Williams v Spautz (1992) 174 CLR 509 Wren v Mahony (1972) 126 CLR 212 Yarranova Pty Ltd v Shaw (No 2) [2014] FCA 616