Wilson v Arwon Finance Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 1052

Federal Court of Australia

Wilson v Arwon Finance Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 1052 File numbers: WAD 15 of 2021 WAD 35 of 2021

Judgment of: MCKERRACHER J

Date of judgment: 1 September 2021

Catchwords: BANKRUPTCY – application to set aside bankruptcy notices pursuant to s 40(1)(g) of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) – whether the off-setting claim could have been set up in the proceeding in which the judgment debt was obtained – whether 'could have been set up' is to be construed strictly as referring only to legal impediments to bringing the off-setting claim – whether inability to plead a tortious conspiracy due to a lack of evidence or awareness is a legal impediment

Legislation: Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) ss 40, 40(1)(g), 41, 41(7) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 198F Federal Court (Bankruptcy) Rules 2016 (Cth) r 3.02

Cases cited: A159 of 2002 v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCA 1087 Arwon Finance Pty Ltd v Wilson [2019] WASC 244 Australian Wool Innovation Ltd v Newkirk [2005] FCA 290 Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union v Liquorland (Australia) Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 528; (2002) 114 IR 165 Blair v Curran [1939] HCA 23; (1939) 62 CLR 464 Blair v Owners of Strata Plan No 71656 [2016] FCA 1522 Capsanis v Owners - Strata Plan 11727 [2000] FCA 1262 CFB18 v Reader Lawyers & Mediators [2018] FCA 611; (2018) 16 ABC(NS) 26 Chong v CC Containers Pty Ltd [2015] VSCA 137 Dresna Pty Ltd v Misu Nominees Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 169 Eastick v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (1981) 53 FLR 91 Ebert v Union Trustee Co of Australia Ltd [1960] HCA 50; (1960) 104 CLR 346 Fatimi Pty Ltd v Bryant [2004] NSWCA 140; (2004) 59 NSWLR 678 Glew v Harrowell [2003] FCA 373 Jensen v Queensland Law Society Inc [2004] FCA 1630 Massih v Esber [2008] FCA 1452; (2008) 250 ALR 648 McKernan v Fraser [1931] HCA 54; (1931) 46 CLR 343 Palaniappan v Westpac Banking Corporation [2017] FCAFC 121; (2017) 252 FCR 486 Patane v Asteron Life Ltd [2004] FCA 232; (2004) 2 ABC(NS) 85 Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Ltd [1981] HCA 45; (1981) 147 CLR 589 Re a Debtor [1914] 3 KB 726 Re Brink; Ex parte Commercial Banking Co of Sydney Ltd [1980] FCA 78; (1980) 44 FLR 135 Re Deen; Ex parte Deen v Muller (1995) 58 FCR 441 Re Doherty, E.J. & Ors; Ex parte Doherty, E.J. & Ors v. Murphy, J.W. & Anor [1993] FCA 739 Re James; Ex parte Carter Holt Harvey Roofing (Aust) Pty Ltd (1993) 46 FCR 183 Re Judd; Ex parte Pike (1924) 24 SR (NSW) 537 Re Ling; Ex parte Ling v Commonwealth (1995) 58 FCR 129 Re Scott; Ex parte Scott v Beneficial Finance Corporation Ltd (1994) 53 FCR 324 Re Stokvis (1934) 7 ABC 53 Re Vicini; Ex parte EA Sealey & Co (1982) 64 FLR 323 Shire of Toodyay v Merrick [2016] WASC 29 Smart v Esanda Finance Corp Ltd [2000] FCA 235 Tzovaras v Nufeno Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 1152; (2003) 1 ABC(NS) 421 Walton v National Mutual Life Association of A/asia (1994) 49 FCR 406 Williams v Hursey [1959] HCA 51; (1959) 103 CLR 30 Wilson v Arwon Finance Pty Ltd [2020] WASCA 137 Rose D, Lewis' Australian Bankruptcy Law (11th ed, LBC Information Services, 1999)