Diawara v National Australia Bank Limited [2023] FCA 1048

Federal Court of Australia Diawara v National Australia Bank Limited [2023] FCA 1048 File number(s): NSD 265 of 2022

Judgment of: ABRAHAM J

Date of judgment: 8 September 2023

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – legal professional privilege – whether legal professional privilege attaches to a document – where solicitor commissioned third party to produce document on instruction from respondent – whether document was prepared for the dominant purpose of obtaining legal advice – whether privilege had been waived – whether conduct of respondent is consistent with maintenance of privilege HELD – claim of legal professional privilege upheld

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth)

Cases cited: Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (No 2) [2020] FCA 1013 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Australian Lending Centre Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 1057; (2011) 283 ALR 299 AWB Limited v Cole [2006] FCA 571; (2006) 152 FCR 382 AWB Limited v Cole (No 5) [2006] FCA 1234; (2006) 155 FCR 30 Balabel v Air India [1988] Ch 317 Barnes v Commissioner of Taxation [2007] FCAFC 88; (2007) 242 ALR 601 BWO19 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2020] FCAFC 181; (2020) 283 FCR 299 Commissioner of Taxation v Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 6; (2003) 195 ALR 717 Commissioner of Taxation v Rio Tinto Limited [2006] FCAFC 86; (2006) 151 FCR 341 Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v Archer [2008] NSWCA 164; (2008) 72 NSWLR 236 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 DSE (Holdings) Pty Ltd v Intertan Inc [2003] FCA 384; (2003) 127 FCR 499 Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [1999] HCA 67; (1999) 201 CLR 49 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Spotless Services Ltd [1996] HCA 34; (1996) 186 CLR 404 Grant v Downs [1976] HCA 63; (1976) 135 CLR 674 Hancock v Rinehart (Privilege) [2016] NSWSC 12 Hartogen Energy Limited (in liq) v The Australian Gas Light Company [1992] FCA 484; (1992) 36 FCR 557 Kennedy v Wallace [2004] FCAFC 337; (2004) 142 FCR 185 Mann v Carnell [1999] HCA 66; (1999) 201 CLR 1 Mitsubishi Electric Australia Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority [2002] VSCA 59; (2002) 4 VR 332 National Crime Authority v S [1991] FCA 234; (1991) 29 FCR 203 Osland v Secretary, Department of Justice [2008] HCA 37; (2008) 234 CLR 275 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] NSWSC 899; (2006) 203 FLR 1 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 23) [2021] FCA 1460; (2021) 157 ACSR 438 Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 25) [2021] FCA 1558 TerraCom v ASIC [2022] FCA 208; (2022) 401 ALR 143 The Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia v Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 1247; (2005) 225 ALR 266 Three Rivers District Council v Governor and Company of the Bank of England (No 6) [2004] UKHL 48; [2005] 1 AC 610 Westminster Airways Ltd v Kuwait Oil Co Ltd [1951] 1 KB 134 Woollahra Municipal Council v Westpac Banking Corporation (1994) 33 NSWLR 529