Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (In Liq) v McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc [2016] FCA 401

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (In Liq) v McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc [2016] FCA 401 File number: NSD 1126 of 2015

Judge: WIGNEY J

Date of judgment: 21 April 2016

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – representative proceeding – application to issue subpoena to a foreign entity under s 33ZF of the Federal Court of Australia Act 2011 (Cth) and rr 24.01 and 24.12 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) – application for leave to serve subpoena in the United States under Division 10.4 of the Federal Court Rules – where information necessary to ascertain the identity of potential group members and provide notice under s 33X of the Federal Court of Australia Act 2011 (Cth) – principle of comity of nations – whether the Court has the power to issue the subpoena – whether the Court should exercise its discretion to issue the subpoena – whether the Court has power to grant leave to serve the subpoena in the United States – whether leave should be given to serve the subpoena in the United States

Legislation: Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act 2001 (Cth) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), Pt IVA, ss 33X, 33Y, 33ZF Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth), Div 10.4, rr 10.44(1), 10.44(3), 10.63-10.68, 24.01(1), 24.01(2), 24.12(1), 24.12(2) Foreign Evidence Act 1994 (Cth), s 7(1)(c) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 11.5

Cases cited: Aetna Pacific Securities Ltd v Hong Kong Bank of Australia Limited (unreported, Supreme Court of New South Wales, Giles J, 29 April 1993) Arhill Pty Ltd v General Terminal Company Pty Ltd (1990) 23 NSWLR 545 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Geary and Flugge [2015] VSC 665 Australian Securities Commission v Bank Leumi Le-Israel (Switzerland) (1996) 69 FCR 531 BCI Finances Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2012] FCA 855 Blackmer v United States 284 US 421 (1932) Blairgowrie Trading Ltd v Allco Finance Group Ltd (Receivers & Managers Appointed) (In Liq) [2015] FCA 811 Caswell v Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Australia) Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 986 Clifton (Liquidator), in the matter of Solar Shop Australia Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) [2014] FCA 891 Courtney v Medtel Pty Ltd (2002) 122 FCR 168 CSR Limited v Cigna Insurance Australia Ltd (1997) 189 CLR 345 Elna Australia Pty ltd v International Computers (Aust) Pty Ltd (1987) 14 FCR 461 Federal Treasury Enterprise (FKP) Sojuzplodoimport v Spirits International NV (2007) 157 FCR 558 Gao v Zhu [2002] VSC 64 Gloucester (Sub-Holdings 1) Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2013] NSWSC 1419 Hilton v Guyot 159 US 113 (1895) Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (2013) 296 ALR 479 Ives v Lim [2010] WASCA 136 Levy Schneider v Caesarstone Australia Pty Ltd [2012] VSC 126 Mackinnon v Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette Securities Corporation [1986] Ch 482 McMullin v ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd (1998) 84 FCR 1 Muswellbrook Shire Council v Royal Bank of Scotland NV [2013] FCA 616 News Corporation Ltd v Lenfest Communications Inc (1996) 40 NSWLR 250 Novotny v Todd [2002] WASCA 79 Polites v The Commonwealth (1945) 70 CLR 60 Société Eram Shipping Company Ltd v Cie Internationale de Navigation [2004] 1 AC 260 Stemcor (A/sia) Pty Ltd v Oceanwave Line SA [2004] FCA 391 Suzlon v Bangad (No 2) (2011) 198 FCR 1 Sweeney v Howard [2007] NSWSC 262 The Owners of the Ship "Shin Kobe Maru" v Empire Shipping Company Inc (1994) 181 CLR 404 Ward v Interag Pty Ltd [1985] 2 Qd R 552 Wong v Silkfield Pty Limited (1999) 199 CLR 255