Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union [2019] FCA 2087

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (No 2) [2019] FCA 2087 File number: NSD 574 of 2019

Judge: RARES J

Date of judgment: 21 November 2019

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application to set aside subpoena – where subpoena found to be "fishing" – where terms of subpoena broader than discovery – where subpoena terms too wide for legitimate forensic purpose – subpoena set aside

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 140

Cases cited: Air Canada v Secretary of State for Trade [1983] 2 AC 394 Alister v McQueen (1984) 154 CLR 404 Associated Dominions Assurance Society Pty Limited v John Fairfax and Sons Pty Limited (1952) 72 WN(NSW) 250 Attorney General New South Wales v Chidgey (2008) 182 A Crim R 536 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Hellicar (2012) 247 CLR 345 Burmah Oil Co Ltd v Bank of England [1980] AC 1090 Commissioner for Railways (NSW) v Small (1938) 38 SR(NSW) 564 Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing & Allied Services Union of Australia v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2007) 162 FCR 466 Gloucester Shire Council v Fitch Ratings, Inc [2016] FCA 587 Hennessy v Wright [No 2] (1888) 24 QBD 445n Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Lucas Industries Ltd v Hewitt (1979) 45 FLR 174 Reg v Saleam [1999] NSWCCA 86 Visy Industries Holdings Pty Limited v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2007) 161 FCR 122