AustCorp Consulting Pty Limited v Callaghan [2023] FCA 1228

Federal Court of Australia

AustCorp Consulting Pty Limited v Callaghan [2023] FCA 1228 File number: NSD 139 of 2023

Judgment of: YATES J

Date of judgment: 16 October 2023

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for review of decision of registrar granting preliminary discovery pursuant to r 7.23 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) – whether evidence demonstrated reasonable belief of prospective applicant that they may have a right to obtain relief – whether prospective applicant made reasonable inquiries with a view to obtaining sufficient information to decide whether to start proceeding – whether applicant has demonstrated a reasonable belief in respect of documents – whether preliminary discovery would allow prospective applicant access to confidential information of commercial benefit to the prospective respondents' expense

Legislation: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 183 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 35A Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) r 7.23

Cases cited: Barrett v Ecco Personnel Pty Ltd [1998] NSWCA 30 GDP Group Pty Ltd v Saye [2022] FCA 688 George v Rockett [1990] HCA 26; (1990) 170 CLR 104 Glowatzky v Insultech Group Pty Ltd (1997) 39 IPR 215 Paxus Services Ltd v People Bank Pty Ltd [1990] FCA 500; (1990) 99 ALR 728 Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals v Samsung Bioepis AU Pty Ltd [2017] FCAFC 193; (2017) 257 FCR 62 Quanta Software International Pty Ltd v Computer Management Services Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 969; (2000) 175 ALR 536 Reeve v Aqualast Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 679 St George Bank Ltd v Rabo Australia Ltd [2004] FCA 1360; (2004) 211 ALR 147 Stacks Taree v Marshall (No 2) [2010] NSWSC 77