Coumanios v Giunti [2017] FCA 678

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Coumanios v Giunti [2017] FCA 678 File number(s): NSD 1370 of 2014

Judge(s): PERRY J

Date of judgment: 16 June 2017

Catchwords: BANKRUPTCY – where applicants/former bankrupts failed to disclose properties in Greece – where properties in Greece sold without leave under s 58(3), Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) – whether applicants lack standing to seek relief to protect property of bankrupt estate – whether monies acquired by unauthorised sale of Greek properties belonged in justice and equity to applicants – whether applicants entitled to costs in relation to payment of monies from sale of the properties into Court – application dismissed

Legislation: Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth), ss 5, 58(3), 116, 118, 126 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 136 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth), r 2.43

Cases cited: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation (1988) 164 CLR 662 Bagshaw v Scott [2002] FCAFC 362; (2002) 126 FCR 27 Barcelo v Electrolytic Zinc Co of Australasia Ltd (1932) 48 CLR 391 Boaler v Power [1910] 2 KB 229 British South Africa Co v Companhia de Mocambique [1893] AC 602 Cummings v Claremont Petroleum NL (1996) 185 CLR 124 David Securities Pty Ltd v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1992) 175 CLR 353 Elali v Mahrs [2013] NSWSC 1883 Deschamps v Miller [1908] 1 Ch 856 In re Levy's Trusts (1885) 30 Ch D 119 O'Donnell v Reichard [1975] VR 916 Pavey & Matthews (1987) 162 CLR 221 Re Doyle (1993) 41 FCR 40 Re Pascoe [1944] 1 Ch 219 Schellenberg v Tunnel Holdings Pty Ltd [2000] HCA 18; (2000) 200 CLR 121 Thistlethwayte v Gender Estates Pty Ltd (1976) 8 ALR 700 Universal Distributing Co Ltd (In Liq) (1933) 48 CLR 171 Date of hearing: 29 March 2016