Commissioner for Consumer Protection v Unleash Solar Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 2) [2016] FCA 1177

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Commissioner for Consumer Protection v Unleash Solar Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 2) [2016] FCA 1177 File number: WAD 36 of 2015

Judge: MCKERRACHER J

Date of judgment: 30 September 2016

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – misleading and deceptive conduct – non-supply of goods – non-supply of free item – where application by State regulator under accrued jurisdiction – whether second respondent 'involved' in contraventions of the first respondent – declarations, injunction and civil pecuniary penalties sought – relevant principles in the assessment of civil pecuniary penalties under ss 29(1), 32(2) and 36(4) ACL (WA) PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for default judgment – appropriate relief including assessment of pecuniary penalties in default of appearance by the respondents – where service abroad required

Legislation: Australian Consumer Law (WA) ss 29(1), 32(2), 36(4), 224 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2, ss 4, 18, 29(1)(g), 29(1)(m), 32(2), 36(4), 232 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 5.02, 5.23, 10.69, 10.70 16.32

Cases cited: Arthur v Vaupotic Investments Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 433 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v 1Cellnet LCC [2005] FCA 856 In Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Avitalb Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 222 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Chopra [2015] FCA 539 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dataline.Net.Au Pty Ltd (2006) 236 ALR 665 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dataline.Net.Au Pty Ltd (2007) 161 FCR 513 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Global One Mobile Entertainment Limited [2011] FCA 393 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Goldy Motors [2000] FCA 1885 Australian Consumer and Competition Commission v Launceston Superstore Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 1315 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v MSY Technology Pty Ltd (No 2) (2011) 279 ALR 609 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd [1996] ATPR 41-515 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v South East Melbourne Cleaning Pty Ltd (in liq) [2015] FCA 25 Australia Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 640 Campomar Sociedad Limitada v Nike International Ltd (2000) 202 CLR 45 Commissioner for Consumer Protection v Unleash Solar Pty Ltd (in liq) [2015] FCA 348 Concrete Constructions (NSW) Pty Ltd v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594 Director of Consumer Affairs, Victoria v Dimmeys Stores Pty Ltd (2013) 213 FCR 559 Given v CV Holland (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1977) 29 FLR 212 Macquarie Bank Ltd v Seagle (2005) 146 FCR 400 Macquarie Bank Ltd v Seagle [2008] FCA 1417 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 Moorgate Tobacco Co Ltd v Philip Morris Ltd (1980) 145 CLR 457 Mornington Inn Pty Ltd v Jordan (2008) 168 FCR 383 Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191 Rafferty v Madgwicks (2012) 203 FCR 1 Rural Press Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2003) 216 CLR 53 Singtel Optus Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2012] FCAFC 20 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Spreets Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 382 Tobacco Institute of Australia Ltd v Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations Inc (1993) 41 FCR 89 Trade Practices Commission v CSR Ltd (1991) ATPR 41-076 Re Wakim; Ex parte McNally (1999) 198 CLR 511 Warramunda Village Inc v Pryde (2001) 105 FCR 437 Yorke v Lucas (1985) 158 CLR 661