Commonwealth of Australia v Sanofi (formerly Sanofi-Aventis) [2017] FCA 382

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Commonwealth of Australia v Sanofi (formerly Sanofi-Aventis) [2017] FCA 382 File number: NSD 1639 of 2007

Judge: NICHOLAS J

Date of judgment: 19 April 2017

Catchwords: CONTRACTS – settlement agreement including clause prohibiting certain parties thereto from voluntarily assisting or encouraging another litigant not a party to the settlement agreement by waiving any claim for legal professional privilege or releasing any third party from any obligation of confidence in respect of information relevant to the other litigant's claim – whether clause unenforceable on the ground that it has a tendency to interfere adversely with the administration of justice Held: clause partly unenforceable – declaration made

Legislation: Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015 r 23

Cases cited: Harmony Shipping Co. S.A. v Saudi Europe Line Ltd [1979] 1 WLR 1380 (CA) Regina v Kellett [1976] QB 372 Attorney General v Butterworth [1963] 1 QB 696 Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Cooke [2000] 1 Qd R 7 AG Australia Holdings Ltd v Burton (2002) 58 NSWLR 464 A v Hayden & Ors (1984) 156 CLR 532 Richards v Kadian (2005) 64 NSWLR 204 Monkland v Jack Barclay [1951] 2 KB 252 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Prysmian Cavi E Sistemi Energia SRL (No 10) (2015) 235 FCR 593 AWB Ltd v Cole (No 5) (2006) 155 FCR 30 Carter v Managing Partner, Northmore Hale Davy & Leake (1995) 183 CLR 121 Attorney-General (N.T.) v. Maurice (1986) 161 CLR 475 Mann v Carnell (1999) 201 CLR 1 Osland v Secretary, Department of Justice (2008) 234 CLR 275