Prescott Securities Limited v Gobbett (No 2) [2017] FCA 81

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Prescott Securities Limited v Gobbett (No 2) [2017] FCA 81 File number: VID 246 of 2016

Judge: WHITE J

Date of judgment: 9 February 2017

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application under r 30.01 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) for certain issues in the proceedings to be heard and determined in advance of other issues – inappropriate to make an order for the Court to determine separate questions when the preliminary questions are not only matters of construction but may require evidence, including evidence from witnesses who would give evidence in the second stage of the trial, should that be necessary.

Legislation: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss s 183(1), 1317H Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) r 30.01

Cases cited: Amoco Australia Pty Ltd v Rocca Bros Motor Engineering Co Pty Ltd (1973) 133 CLR 288 AWB Ltd v Cole (No 2) [2006] FCA 913; (2006) 233 ALR 453 Birdanco Noms Pty Ltd v Money [2012] VSCA 64; (2012) 36 VR 341 Esso Petroleum Co Ltd v Harper's Garage (Stourport) Ltd [1968] AC 269 IF Asia Pacific Pty Ltd v Galbally [2003] VSC 192 Lindner v Murdock's Garage (1950) 83 CLR 628 NE Perry Pty Ltd v Judge [2002] SASC 312; (2002) 84 SASR 86 Nordenfelt v Maxim Nordenfelt Guns & Ammunition Co Ltd [1894] AC 535 Prescott Securities Limited v Gobbett [2017] FCA 74 Rainsford v Victoria [2005] FCAFC 163; (2005) 144 FCR 279 Reading Australia Pty Ltd v Australian Mutual Provident Society [1999] FCA 718; (1999) 240 FCR 276 Rentokil Pty Ltd v Lee (1995) 66 SASR 301 Stenhouse Australia Ltd v Phillips (1973) 2 NSWLR 691 Tallglen Pty Ltd v Pay TV Holdings Pty Ltd (1996) 22 ACSR 130 Wallis Nominees (Computing) Pty Ltd v Pickett [2013] VSCA 24; (2013) 45 VR 657