Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 23) [2021] FCA 1460

Federal Court of Australia

Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 23) [2021] FCA 1460 File numbers: NSD 1485 of 2018 NSD 1486 of 2018 NSD 1487 of 2018

Judgment of: ABRAHAM J

Date of judgment: 23 November 2021

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – subpoena – application to inspect and uplift documents – legal professional privilege – whether legal professional privilege attaches to documents – whether documents were prepared for the dominant purpose of obtaining legal advice or anticipated litigation – whether common interest privilege exists – whether privilege has been waived – claim of privilege upheld

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW)

Cases cited: Ampolex Ltd v Perpetual Trustee Co (Canberra) Ltd (1995) 37 NSWLR 405 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Australian Lending Centre Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 1057; (2011) 283 ALR 299 Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd v Pacific Equity Partners Pty Ltd (No 4) [2014] FCA 796 AWB Ltd v Cole (No 5) [2006] FCA 1234; (2006) 155 FCR 30 AWB Ltd v Cole [2006] FCA 571; (2006) 152 FCR 382 Balabel v Air India [1988] Ch 317 BWO19 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2020] FCAFC 181 Commissioner of Taxation v Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 6; (2003) 195 ALR 717 Commissioner of Taxation v Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1247 Cygnett Pty Ltd v Souris [2020] FCA 1754 Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2002] HCA 49; (2002) 213 CLR 543 DBCT Management Pty Ltd v McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd and Geosea Australia Pty Ltd Joint Venture [2021] FCA 512 District Council of Mallala v Livestock Markets Ltd [2006] SASC 80; (2006) 94 SASR 258 DSE (Holdings) Pty Ltd v InterTAN Inc [2003] FCA 1191; (2003) 135 FCR 151 Ensham Resources Pty Ltd v AIOI Insurance Company Ltd [2012] FCAFC 191; (2012) 209 FCR 1 Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [1999] HCA 67; (1999) 201 CLR 49 Farrow Mortgage Services Pty Ltd (in liq) v Webb [1996] NSWSC 259; (1996) 39 NSWLR 601 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Spotless Services Ltd [1996] HCA 34; (1996) 186 CLR 404 Grant v Downs [1976] HCA 73; (1976) 135 CLR 674 Hamilton v New South Wales [2016] NSWSC 1213 Hancock v Rinehart (Privilege) [2016] NSWSC 12 Hartogen Energy Ltd (in liq) v Australian Gas Light Co [1992] FCA 322; (1992) 36 FCR 557 Inlon Pty Ltd v Celli SpA [2017] NSWSC 569 Kennedy v Wallace [2004] FCAFC 337; (2004) 142 FCR 185 Media Ocean Ltd v Optus Mobile Pty Ltd (No 10) [2010] FCA 1348 Mitsubishi Electric Australia Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority [2002] VSCA 59; (2002) 4 VR 332 Network Ten Ltd v Capital Television Holdings Ltd (1995) 36 NSWLR 275 Nickmar Pty Ltd v Preservatrice Skandia Insurance Ltd (1985) 3 NSWLR 44 Patrick v Capital Finance Corporation (Australasia) Pty Ltd [2004] FCA 1249; (2004) 211 ALR 272 Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2004] FCAFC 122; (2004) 136 FCR 357 Re Southland Coal Pty Ltd (rec & mgrs apptd) (in liq) [2006] NSWCA 899 Rickard Constructions Pty Ltd v Rickard Hails Moretti Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 234 Singapore Airlines v Sydney Airports Corporation [2004] NSWSC 380 Three Rivers District Council v Governor and Company of the Bank of England (No 6) [2004] UKHL 48; [2005] 1 AC 610 Trade Practices Commission v Sterling [1979] FCA 33; (1979) 36 FLR 244 Westminster Airways Ltd v Kuwait Oil Co Ltd [1951] 1 KB 134 Woollahra Municipal Council v Westpac Banking Corporation (1994) 33 NSWLR 529