Rowe v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [2015] FCA 1261

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Rowe v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [2015] FCA 1261 Citation: Rowe v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [2015] FCA 1261

Appeal from: Rowe v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [2015] FCCA 220

Parties: CHAD EVERETT ROWE v OFFICIAL TRUSTEE IN BANKRUPTCY

File number: QUD 53 of 2015

Judge: RANGIAH J

Date of judgment: 18 November 2015

Catchwords: BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY – appeal from Federal Circuit Court – undischarged bankrupt – application to review decision of trustee in bankruptcy – where trustee elected to discontinue QCAT proceeding – whether proceeding constituted a "personal action" under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) – whether statutory right of action vests in trustee in bankruptcy – where proceeding for pecuniary loss only – where chose of action is property vested in trustee – no error demonstrated – appeal dismissed

Legislation: Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) ss 5, 58, 60(2), 60(4), 60(5), 116 and 178(1) Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 (Qld) ss 134A, 137 and 137(3) Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2009 (Qld) Sch 3, ss 13(2) and 60(1)

Cases cited: Bryant v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1997) 75 FCR 545 cited Cox v Journeaux (No 2) (1935) 52 CLR 713 applied Cummings v Claremont Petroleum NL (1996) 185 CLR 124 cited Faulkner v Bluett (1981) 52 FLR 115 cited Geia v Palm Island Aboriginal Council (1999) 152 FLR 135 cited Griffiths v Civil Aviation Authority (1996) 67 FCR 301 distinguished Re Nguyen; Ex parte Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (1992) 35 FCR 320 cited Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 applied