Naturally Australian Tea Tree Oil Pty Ltd v Jellyman [2024] FCA 625

Federal Court of Australia

Naturally Australian Tea Tree Oil Pty Ltd v Jellyman [2024] FCA 625 File number(s): QUD 574 of 2023

Judgment of: COLLIER ACJ

Date of judgment: 13 June 2024

Catchwords: CORPORATIONS LAW –– application to set aside statutory demand – whether genuine dispute within meaning of s 459H Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) – relevant principles – company alleged breach of fiduciary duties, unconscionable conduct and duress on part of defendant – defendant previously director and company solicitor of plaintiff

Legislation: Australian Consumer Law s 20 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 459E, 459G, 459H, 459N

Cases cited: Anobis Pty Ltd v Magoffin [2017] QSC 182 Barescape Pty Limited as trustee for The V's Family Trust & Anor v Bacchus Holdings Pty Limited as trustee for The Bacchus Holdings Trust (No 9) [2012] NSWSC 984 Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd v Overliese [2011] FCAFC 24; (2011) 191 FCR 1 Boardman v Phipps [1967] 2 AC 46 Farah Constructions Pty Ltd v Say-Dee Pty Ltd [2007] HCA 22; (2007) 230 CLR 89 In the matter of Gorji Property Investment Pty Limited [2018] NSWSC 1671 Maguire v Makaronis [1997] HCA 23; (1997) 188 CLR 449 Panel Tech Industries (Australia) Pty Ltd v Australian Skyreach Equipment Pty Ltd (No 2)[2003] NSWSC 896 Re Australian Builders Group Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 254 Re Pauling's Settlement Trusts [1962] 1 WLR 86 Spencer Constructions Pty Ltd v G & M Aldridge Pty Ltd [1997] FCA 681; (1997) 76 FCR 452 Thomson v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd [2024] QCA 703 Farid Assaf, Assaf's Winding Up in Insolvency (3rd ed) LexisNexis Australia 2021 chapter 6.5