Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Social-Lites Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 398

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Social-Lites Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 398 File number(s): QUD 454 of 2016

Judge(s): GILMOUR J

Date of judgment: 2 May 2017

Catchwords: TRADE PRACTICES – misleading and deceptive conduct – false and misleading representations as to the health effects and benefits of e-cigarette products – imposition of pecuniary penalty – principles relevant to the imposition of a penalty pursuant to s 224 of the Australian Consumer Law – agreed penalty – consideration of whether agreed penalty is within the permissible range of penalties – declarations – compliance orders – injunctions – corrective notices

Legislation: Australian Consumer Law Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 5, Part 2-1, Part 5-2, ss 18, 29, 29(1)(a), 33, 224, 224(1)(a)(ii), 224(1)(e), 224(2), 224(3), 224(4)(b), 232, 232(1)(a), 232(4)(a), 232(1)(e), 233, 246, 246(2)(b), 246(2)(d), 247(2)(b) Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Schedule 2 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 191 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 21, 43 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 76, 76E, 76E(2), 80, 86C

Cases cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Baxter Healthcare Pty Ltd [2010] FCA 929 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (2015) 327 ALR 540 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2007] ATPR 42-140 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 Dell Computers Pty Ltd [2002] ATPR 41-878 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Humax Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 706 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Leahy Petroleum Pty Ltd (No 3) (2005) 215 ALR 301 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Marksun Australia Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 695 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v MSY Technology Pty Ltd (No 2) (2011) 279 ALR 609 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v MSY Technology Pty Ltd (2012) 201 FCR 378 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v On Clinic Australia Pty Ltd (1996) 35 IPR 635 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Pepe's Ducks Ltd [2013] FCA 570 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Real Estate Institute of Western Australia Inc (1999) 161 ALR 79 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Real Estate Institute of Western Australia Inc (1999) 95 FCR 114 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Safeway Stores Pty Ltd (1991) 145 ALR 36 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Sampson [2011] FCA 1165 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Singtel Optus (No 3) (2010) 276 ALR 102 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Singtel Optus Pty Ltd (No 4) (2011) 282 ALR 246 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Target Australia Pty Ltd (2001) ATPR 41–840 Australian Competition and Consumer Commissioner v Telstra Corporation Ltd (2010) 188 FCR 238 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 640 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Virgin Mobile Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2002] FCA 1548 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Willesee Healthcare Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 301 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Z-Tek Computer Pty Ltd (1997) 78 FCR 197 Annand Thompson Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commission (1979) 40 FLR 165 Commonwealth of Australia v Director, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate & Ors (2015) 326 ALR 476 Forster v Jododex Australia Pty Ltd (1972) 127 CLR 421 ICI Australia Operatons v Trade Practices Commission (1992) 38 FCR 248 Markarian v R (2005) 228 CLR 357 Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources v Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd (2004) ATPR 41–993 NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (1996) 71 FCR 285 OD Transport Pty Ltd v WA Government Railways Commission (1987) 13 FCR 500 Ponzio v B&P Caelli Constructions Pty Ltd [2007] 158 FCR 543 Singtel Optus v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2012) 287 ALR 249 Trade Practices Commission v TNT Australia Pty Ltd (1995) ATPR 41-375