DBCT Management Pty Ltd v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd and Geosea Australia Pty Ltd Joint Venture [2021] FCA 512

Federal Court of Australia

DBCT Management Pty Ltd v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd and Geosea Australia Pty Ltd Joint Venture [2021] FCA 512 File number: NSD 100 of 2017

Judgment of: ABRAHAM J

Date of judgment: 14 May 2021

Catchwords: SUBPOENA – Legal Professional Privilege – where documents prepared following cyclone incident – whether the documents were prepared for the dominant purpose of anticipated litigation – whether Legal Professional Privilege attaches to the documents

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 75

Cases cited: Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd v Pacific Equity Partners Pty Ltd (No 4) [2014] FCA 796 Aquila Coal Pty Ltd v Bowen Central Coal Pty Ltd [2013] QSC 82 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Australian Lending Centre Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 1057; (2011) 283 ALR 299 AWB Ltd v Cole [2006] FCA 571; (2006) 152 FCR 382 AWB Ltd v Cole (No 5) [2006] FCA 1234; (2006) 155 FCR 30 Barnes v Commissioner of Taxation [2007] FCAFC 88; 242 ALR 601 Commissioner of Taxation v Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 6; (2003) 195 ALR 717 Commissioner of Taxation (Cth) v Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1247; (2005) 225 ALR 266 Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2002] HCA 49; (2002) 213 CLR 543 District Council of Mallala v Livestock Markets Ltd [2006] SASC 80; (2006) 94 SASR 258 Ensham Resources Pty Ltd v AIOI Insurance Company Ltd [2012] FCAFC 191; (2012) 209 FCR 1 Esso Australia Resources Limited v Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia [1999] HCA 67; (1999) 201 CLR 49 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Spotless Services Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 404 Grant v Downs (1976) 135 CLR 674 Hancock v Rinehart (Privilege) [2016] NSWSC 12 Hartogen Energy Ltd (in liq) v Australian Gaslight Co (1992) 36 FCR 557 Kennedy v Wallace [2004] FCAFC 337; (2004) 142 FCR 185 Kirby v Centro Properties Ltd (No 2) [2012] FCA 70; (2012) 87 ACSR 229 Martin v Norton Rose Fulbright Australia [2019] FCA 1101 Mitsubishi Electric Australia Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority [2002] VSCA 59; (2002) 4 VR 332 Morton v Bolinda Publishing Pty Limited [2017] FCA 187 National Crime Authority v S (1991) 29 FCR 203 Optiver Australia Pty Ltd v Tibra Trading Pty Ltd (No 5) [2012] FCA 1226 Powercor Australia Ltd v Perry [2011] VSCA 239; (2011) 33 VR 548 Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2004] FCAFC 122; (2004) 136 FCR 357 Re Southland Coal Pty Ltd (receivers and managers appointed) (in liq) [2006] NSWSC 899; (2006) 203 FLR 1 Seven Network Ltd v News Ltd [2005] FCA 1551; (2005) 225 ALR 672 Seven Network Limited v News Limited [2005] FCA 142 Singapore Airlines v Sydney Airports Corporation [2004] NSWSC 380 Sydney Airports Corporation Ltd v Singapore Airlines Ltd [2005] NSWCA 47 Waterford v The Commonwealth (1978) 163 CLR 54 Westminster Airways Ltd v Kuwait Oil Co Ltd [1951] 1 KB 134 Woollahra Municipal Council v Westpac Banking Corporation (1994) 33 NSWLR 529