Hardcastle v Mitch Enterprises Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 1569

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Hardcastle v Mitch Enterprises Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 1569 File number: NSD 778 of 2016

Judge: BROMWICH J

Date of judgment: 22 December 2016

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for summary dismissal of parts of statement of claim pursuant to s 31A(2) of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) and r 26.01(1)(a) of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) – held: summary dismissal of impugned paragraphs allowed CONSUMER LAW – whether definition of 'services' in Australian Consumer Law and Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) excluded claim of unconscionable conduct in relation to work performed pursuant to a contract of service – held: exclusion applied

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (CCA), Sch 2 (Australian Consumer Law), ss 2, 18, 21, 22, 31, 236 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), s 31A(2) Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth), r 26.01(1)(a) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), s 4

Cases cited: Adamson v New South Wales Rugby League Limited (1991) 27 FCR 535 Adamson v West Perth Football Club Inc (1979) 39 FLR 199 Calmao Pty Limited v Stradbroke Waters Co-Owners Co-operative Society Limited (1989) 21 FCR 28 Commonwealth of Australia v Cornwell [2007] HCA 16; (2007) 229 CLR 519 James v ANZ Banking Group Ltd (1986) 64 ALR 347 Jobbins v Capel Court Corporation Limited (1989) 25 FCR 226 Marks v GIO Australia Holdings Limited [1998] HCA 69; (1998) 196 CLR 494 Murphy v Overton Investments Pty Limited [2004] HCA 3; (2004) 216 CLR 388 Spencer v The Commonwealth of Australia [2010] HCA 28; (2010) 241 CLR 118 Wardley Australia Limited v The State of Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514