McLean-Phillips v Carnival plc t/as P& O Cruises Australia [2023] FCA 328

Federal Court of Australia

McLean-Phillips v Carnival plc t/as P&O Cruises Australia [2023] FCA 328 File number(s): NSD 1039 of 2022

Judgment of: JACKMAN J

Date of judgment: 12 April 2023

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application to strike out entirety of statement of claim on the basis that it fails to disclose any reasonable cause of action – whether the pleadings are sufficient for the purposes of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2, ss 267 and 268 – statement of claim struck out – entitlement to amend pleadings before pleadings close pursuant to the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) r 16.51(1) CONSUMER LAW – whether a specific deficiency in the services provided must be pleaded to establish breach of consumer guarantees – whether there must be a causal link between the services provided and the alleged loss or damage suffered

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2 (Australian Consumer Law) ss 61, 267, 268 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Pt IVA Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 74B, 74D Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 16.21, 16.51

Cases cited: Courtney v Medtel Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 36; (2003) 126 FCR 219 Gharibian v Propix Pty Ltd [2007] NSWCA 151 Karpik v Carnival plc (The Ruby Princess) [2022] FCA 1232 Medtel Pty Ltd v Courtney [2003] FCAFC 151; (2003) 130 FCR 182 Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Ltd v Peterson [2011] FCAFC 128; (2011) 196 FCR 145 Scenic Tours Pty Ltd v Moore [2018] NSWCA 238; (2018) 361 ALR 456 Thomas v Foreshore Marine Exhaust Systems Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 451