CEE t/as Electricity Wizard Pty Ltd (In Liq) (Receivers Appointed) v Electricity Wizard Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 1351

Federal Court of Australia

CEE t/as Electricity Wizard Pty Ltd (In Liq) (Receivers Appointed) v Electricity Wizard Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 1351 File number(s): SAD 178 of 2021

Judgment of: O'SULLIVAN J

Date of judgment: 15 November 2022

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – respondents' application for summary dismissal of claims of the second applicant based on an agreement between the second applicant and second respondent allegedly releasing the second and first respondent from any claims by the second applicant – application made pursuant to s 31A(2) of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), alternatively r 26.01(1)(c) of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) –alternative application seeking an order striking out various paragraphs of the statement of claim – application made pursuant to FCR 16.21(1)(e) – application for summary dismissal dismissed – paragraphs 77.5 and 89.1 of the statement of claim struck out with leave to re-plead

Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), ss 31A(2) Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth), rr 16.21(1)(e), 26.01(1)(c) Corporations Act 2011 (Cth), ss 9, 79

Cases cited: Allstate Life Insurance Co v Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (Unreported, FCA, Beaumont J, 13 September 1994) Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Pauls Ltd [1999] FCA 1750 Australian Parking and Revenue Control Pty Ltd v Reino International Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 744 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v ActiveSuper Pty Ltd (in liq) [2015] FCA 342, (2015) 235 FCR 181 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Australian Investors Forum Pty Ltd (No 2) [2005] NSWSC 267; (2005) 53 ACSR 305 Bartlett v Swan Television and Radio Broadcasters Pty Ltd [1995] FCA 638; (1995) ATPR 41-434 Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation v Onslow Salt Pty Ltd (No 2) [2018] FCA 978 Buzzle Operations Pty Ltd (In liq) v Apple Computer Australia Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 109; (2011) 81 NSWLR 47 Crofter Hand-Woven Harris Tweed Co Ltd v Veitch [1942] AC 435 Grant v John Grant & Sons Pty Ltd [1954] HCA 23; 91 CLR 112 Lifeplan Australia Friendly Society Limited v Ancient Order of Foresters in Victoria Friendly Society Ltd [2017] FCAFC 74 Mawhinney v Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2022] FCAFC 159 Muriniti v Lawcover Insurance Pty Ltd [2022] NSWSC 90 Polar Aviation Pty Ltd v Civil Aviation Safety Authority [2012] FCAFC 97 Radisich v McDonald [2010] FCA 762 Re Hydrodam (Corby) Ltd [1994] 2 BCLC 180 Revenue and Customs Commissioners v Holland; In re-Paycheck Services 3 Ltd [2010] 1 WLR 2793; [2011] 1 All ER 430 Sarina v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd [2018] FCAFC 190; (2018) 365 ALR 15 Spencer v Commonwealth of Australia [2010] HCA 28; 241 CLR 118 Spiteri v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd [2008] FCA 905 Szanto v Bainton [2011] NSWSC 985 The Owners Corporation of Strata Plan 61390 v Multiplex Corporate Agency Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] NSWSC 322 Three Rivers District Council v Governor and Company of the Bank of England (No 3) [2003] 2 AC 1 Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd [2011] NSWSC 433; (2011) 83 ACSR 206 Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd [2011] NSWSC 433; (2011) 83 ACSR 206 Yorke v Lucas [1985] HCA 65; (1985) 158 CLR 661 Young Investment Group Pty Ltd v Mann [2012] FCAFC 107; (2012) 293 ALR 537 Bullen & Leake & Jacob's Precedents of Pleadings (19th Ed, Sweet and Maxwell, 2019) Winfield and Jolowicz on Tort, Peel A and Goudkamp J (ed), (19th Ed, Sweet & Maxwell, 2014) [19-044]