John Bridgeman Limited v Dreamscape Networks FZ-LLC [2018] FCA 1279

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

John Bridgeman Limited v Dreamscape Networks FZ-LLC [2018] FCA 1279 File number: QUD 131 of 2018

Judge: RANGIAH J

Date of judgment: 24 August 2018

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for preliminary discovery to ascertain description of prospective respondent – where allegedly untrue representations were made online by an unknown publisher – whether legal professional privilege applies to a person's communication of their name to a solicitor whom they wish to engage

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2, s 18 of the Australian Consumer Law Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 1041H Federal Court Rules 1979 (Cth) (repealed) O 15 r 3 Sch 1 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) r 7.22 Defamation Act 2005 (Qld)

Cases cited: Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Narain (2008) 169 FCR 211 Baker v Campbell (1983) 153 CLR 82 Balabel v Air India [1988] Ch 317 at 330 Carter v The Managing Partner, Northmore Hale Davy and Leake (1995) 183 CLR 121 Commissioner of Taxation v Coombes (1999) 92 FCR 240 Dallas Buyers Club LLC v iiNET Ltd (2015) 245 FCR 129 Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2002) 213 CLR 543 DSE (Holdings) Pty Ltd v InterTAN Inc (2003) 135 FCR 151 Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia (1999) 201 CLR 49 Hamdan v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2004] FCA 1267; (2004) 211 ALR 642 Hooper v Kirella Pty Ltd (1999) 96 FCR 1 Kenquist Nominees Pty Limited v Campbell (No 5) [2018] FCA 853 Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (2004) 136 FCR 357 R v Bell; Ex parte Lees (1980) 146 CLR 141 Sites N Stores Pty Ltd v Whirlpool.Net.Au Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 1474 SRJ v Person(s) Unknown [2014] EWHC 2293 (QB) Z v New South Wales Crime Commission (2007) 231 CLR 75 French R, "A Lawyer's Guide to Misleading or Deceptive Conduct" (1989) 63 ALJ 250