Perazzoli v BankSA (No 2) [2016] FCA 260

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Perazzoli v BankSA (No 2) [2016] FCA 260 File number: SAD 307 of 2014

Judge: MANSFIELD J

Date of judgment: 16 March 2016

Catchwords: PRIVILEGE – common law principles governing privilege – solicitor/client relationship – whether real prospect of litigation – where preliminary consideration of possible class action by solicitors to secure funding by litigation funder – onus of establishing dominant purpose of giving or obtaining legal advice or for use in actual or reasonably anticipated legal proceedings PRIVILEGE – claim of privilege by applicants bringing class action – whether legal professional privilege attaches to confidential communications between lawyers and proposed class action group members – communication prior to agreement with a litigation funder – communication prior to the institution of proceedings – whether advice is unsolicited – whether privilege is waived – claim of privilege by trustee in bankruptcy – communications relating to bankruptcy proceedings – whether it is available to the trustee to explore the availability of a claim by investors – where the trustee is not a party to the proceedings

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth)

Cases cited: Perazzoli v BankSA [2015] FCA 373 Esso Australia Resources v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1999) 201 CLR 49 Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (2004) 136 FCR 357 Grant v Downs (1976) 135 CLR 674 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Cadbury Schweppes Pty Ltd (2009) 174 FCR 547 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Spotless Services Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 404 Sydney Airports Corporation Ltd v Singapore Airlines Ltd [2005] NSWCA 47 Melrose Cranes and Rigging Pty Ltd v Manitowoc Crane Group Australia Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 904 AWB Ltd v Cole (No 5) (2006) 155 FCR 30 Barnes v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (2007) 242 ALR 601 Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd v Pacific Equity Partners Pty Ltd (No 4) [2014] FCA 796 Brookfield Multiplex Ltd v International Litigation Funding Partners Pte Ltd (No 2) (2009) 180 FCR 1 Mitsubishi Electric Australia Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority (2002) 4 VR 332 Ensham Resources Pty Ltd v AIOI Insurance Company Ltd (2012) 209 FCR 1 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Yazaki Corporation [2014] FCA 1316 Commissioner of Australian Federal Police v Propend Finance Pty Ltd (1997) 188 CLR 501 Players Pty Ltd (in liquidation) (receivers appointed) v Clone Pty Ltd (2013) 115 SASR 547 Archer Capital 4A Pty Ltd (as trustee for the Archer Capital Trust 4A) v Sage Group plc (No 3) (2013) 306 ALR 414; [2013] FCA 1160 Apple Computer Australia Pty Ltd v Wiley [2002] NSWSC 855 Re Southland Coal Pty Ltd (receivers and managers appointed) (in liq) [2006] NSWSC 899 Varawa v Howard Smith & Co Ltd (1910) 10 CLR 382 Karounos v Official Trustee (1898) 19 FCR 330 Griffin v Pantzer (2004) 137 FCR 209 Donnelly v Scott [2001] FCA 782 Evans v Wainter (2005) 145 FCR 176 Re Excel Finance Corporation Ltd; Worthley v England (1994) 52 FCR 69 Hearne v Street (2008) 235 CLR 125 Re Southern Equities Corporation Ltd (in liq); Bond v England (1997) 25 ACSR 394 Attorney-General (NT) v Kearney (1985) 158 CLR 500 Commissioner of Australian Federal Police v Propend Finance (1997) 188 CLR 501 Re Moage Ltd (in liquidation); Sheahan v Pitterino (1998) 82 FCR 10 Trade Practices Commission v Sterling (1979) 36 FLR 244