Commens t/as Subsonic Music v Certain Lloyd's Underwriters subscribing to Policy No ALTCNX1900332 (Trial Judgment) [2024] FCA 434

Federal Court of Australia

Commens t/as Subsonic Music v Certain Lloyd's Underwriters subscribing to Policy No ALTCNX1900332 (Trial Judgment) [2024] FCA 434 File number: NSD 719 of 2022

Judgment of: JACKMAN J

Date of judgment: 29 April 2024

Catchwords: INSURANCE – separate questions on liability – where insured's music festival cancelled – whether cancellation was necessary and sole and direct result of cause not otherwise excluded – where insured suggested cancellation was because of bushfires – where no objective inability to commence festival – where real reason for cancellation was onerous and late imposition of conditions by council – insurer not liable

Legislation: Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth) s 54

Cases cited: Chartbrook Ltd v Persimmon Homes Ltd [2009] UKHL 38; [2009] 2 AC 1101 Commens t/as Subsonic Music v Certain Lloyd's Underwriters Subscribing to Policy No ALTCNX1900332 [2023] FCA 1434 Hakea Holdings Pty Ltd v Neon Underwriting Ltd [2023] FCAFC 34; (2023) 296 FCR 611 Halford v Price (1960) 105 CLR 23 Lasermax Engineering Pty Ltd v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd [2005] NSWCA 66; (2005) 13 ANZ Ins Cas 61–643 LCA Marrickville Pty Ltd v Swiss Re International SE [2022] FCAFC 17; (2022) 290 FCR 435 Maxwell v Highway Hauliers Pty Ltd [2014] HCA 33; (2014) 252 CLR 590 Mount Bruce Mining Pty Ltd v Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd [2015] HCA 37; (2015) 256 CLR 104 Outback Music Festival Group Pty Ltd v Everest Syndicate 2786 at Lloyd's [2022] FCA 13; (2022) 398 ALR 327 Star Entertainment Group Ltd v Chubb Insurance Australia Ltd [2022] FCAFC 16; (2022) 400 ALR 25 Todd v Alterra at Lloyd's Limited [2016] FCAFC 15; (2016) 239 FCR 12 Wilkie v Gordian Runoff Limited [2005] HCA 17; (2005) 221 CLR 522