DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited v United Workers' Union [2021] FCA 707

Federal Court of Australia

DHL Supply Chain (Australia) Pty Limited v United Workers' Union [2021] FCA 707 File number: VID 333 of 2021

Judgment of: SNADEN J

Date of judgment: 24 June 2021

Date of publication of reasons: 25 June 2021

Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – application for interlocutory injunction to restrain the respondents from obtaining or using information – whether information obtained or used in contravention of ss 182(1) or 183(1) of the Corporations Act – whether respondents involved in contraventions of those sections by others TORTS – inducement of contractual breach – whether respondents have intentionally procured (or knowingly intend to procure) the disclosure of information by others bound contractually not to disclose it PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – whether there is a prima facie case that the respondents have acted tortiously or in breach of the Corporations Act 2001 – whether balance of convenience favours injunctive relief – interlocutory relief granted

Legislation: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) – ss 79, 182, 183, 1317E and 1324 Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – ss 424 and 266 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – s 23

Cases cited: Australian Broadcasting Corporation v O'Neill (2006) 227 CLR 57 Bullock v FFTSA (1985) 5 FCR 464 Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1986) 161 CLR 148 Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia v Blue Star Pacific Pty Ltd (2009) 184 IR 333 Del Casale v Artedomus (Aust) Pty Ltd (2007) 165 IR 148 Digital Cinema Network Pty Ltd v Omnilab Media Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 509 Doyle v ASIC (2005) 227 CLR 18 Hydrocool Pty Ltd v Hepburn (No 4) (2011) 279 ALR 646 Lifeplan Australia Friendly Society Ltd v Wolf (2016) 259 IR 384 Omnilab Media Pty Ltd v Digital Camera Network Pty Ltd (2011) 285 ALR 63 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd v Apple Inc. (2011) 217 FCR 238