Dixon (Liquidator), in the matter of Victoria Project Pty Ltd v Austhome Group Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 42

Federal Court of Australia

Dixon (Liquidator), in the matter of Victoria Project Pty Ltd v Austhome Group Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 42 File number(s): VID 105 of 2021

Judgment of: MCELWAINE J

Date of judgment: 1 February 2023

Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – application by liquidator pursuant to s 90-15 of the Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations) – liquidator remuneration – interpretation of deed of settlement and release - meaning of the phrase "costs of the liquidation" CONSUMER LAW – claim for misleading or deceptive or unconscionable conduct pursuant to the Australian Consumer Law – where liquidator made representations as to the remuneration for his appointment as liquidator – whether liquidator had reasonable grounds for making the remuneration representations

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2 (Australian Consumer Law) ss 4, 18, 21 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 232, 233, 491, 494, 495, Sch 2 (Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations)) ss 60-10, 90-15 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 28.62-28.67 Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA) Code of Professional Practice, 3rd edition from 1 January 2014

Cases cited: Australia Pacific LNG Pty Ltd v Sooner Insurance Company [2021] QSC 43 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v ACM Group Ltd (No 2) [2018] FCA 1115 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Henry Kaye and National Investment Institute Pty Ltd [2004] FCA 1363 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Quantum Housing Group Pty Ltd (2021) 285 FCR 133; [2021] FCAFC 40 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 640; [2013] HCA 54 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Woolworths Group Ltd (formerly called Woolworths Limited) (2020) 281 FCR 108; [2020] FCAFC 162 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Woolworths Ltd [2019] FCA 1039 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Dover Financial Advisers Pty Ltd (2019) 140 ACSR 561; [2019] FCA 1932 Bofinger v Kingsway Group Ltd (2009) 239 CLR 269; [2009] HCA 44 Brown v Gould [1972] 1 Ch 53 Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Ltd (2004) 218 CLR 592; [2004] HCA 60 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 238 CLR 304; [2009] HCA 25 Codelfa Constructions Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337 Council of the Upper Hunter County District v Australian Chilling and Freezing Co Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 429 Good Living Company Pty Ltd v Kingsmede Pty Ltd (2021) 284 FCR 424; [2021] FCAFC 33 Google Inc v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2013) 249 CLR 435; [2013] HCA 1 Harvard Nominees Pty Ltd v Tiller (2020) 282 FCR 530; [2020] FCAFC 229 In the matter of RMGA Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 678 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Ltd v Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd (2015) 256 CLR 104; [2015] HCA 37 Sykes v Reserve Bank of Australia (1998) 88 FCR 511 Unique International College Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2018) 266 FCR 631; [2018] FCAFC 155 Wheeler Grace & Pierucci Pty Ltd v Wright (1989) 16 IPR 189