Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 15) [2021] FCA 582

Federal Court of Australia

Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 15) [2021] FCA 582 File numbers: NSD 1485 of 2018 NSD 1486 of 2018 NSD 1487 of 2018

Judgment of: ABRAHAM J

Date of judgment: 1 June 2021

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - subpoena issued to Person 35 by respondents– whether a legitimate forensic purpose exists – where only portion of document subject to a claim of public interest immunity by the Commonwealth – entire document subject to claim for public interest immunity by non-party – where also claimed documents are irrelevant

Legislation: Inspector General Australian Defence Force Regulations 2016 (Cth) s 21 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 102

Cases cited: Boase v Axis International Management Pty Ltd (No 3) [2012] WASC 498 Brand v Digi-Tech (Australia) Ltd [2001] NSWSC 425 Carter v Hayes SM (1994) 61 SASR 451 Chief Executive Officer of Australian Transactions Reports and Analysis Centre v TAB Ltd [2016] FCA 122 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v BHP Coal Pty Ltd (No 3) [2012] FCA 61 Fried v National Australia Bank Ltd [2000] FCA 911; (2000) 175 ALR 194 Hooke v Bux Global Limited (No 2) [2018] FCA 836 Liristis v Gadelrabb [2009] NSWSC 441 Medical Board of South Australia v Fisher [2000] SASC 92; (2000) 76 SASR 242 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 6) [2020] FCA 1285 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 8) [2020] FCA 1630 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 14) [2021] FCA 552 Sankey v Whitlam [1978] HCA 43; (1978) 142 CLR 1 Seven Network Ltd v News Ltd (No 11) [2006] FCA 174 Wong v Sklavos [2014] FCAFC 120; (2014) 319 ALR 378 Young v Quin (1985) 4 FCR 483