AEI Insurance Group Pty Ltd v Martin (No 4) [2024] FCA 1110

Federal Court of Australia AEI Insurance Group Pty Ltd v Martin (No 4) [2024] FCA 1110 File number(s): NSD 950 of 2022

Judgment of: THAWLEY J

Date of judgment: 24 September 2024

Catchwords: EMPLOYMENT – alleged breaches of employment contract by respondent – alleged breaches of equitable duty of confidence, fiduciary duties and statutory obligations under Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 182 and 183 – where respondent resigned his employment – where 45 clients moved from the applicant to the respondent's new employer – whether the respondent breached the employment contract or used the applicant's confidential information to solicit the applicant's clients – held: the respondent breached his employment contract – the respondent to pay damages EVIDENCE – where applicant sought to rely on Microsoft Word table and file notes containing hearsay representations – whether Microsoft Word table and electronic diary notes were a "business record" – whether representations obtained for the purpose of conducting, or for or in contemplation of or in connection with, an Australian or overseas proceeding – Microsoft Word table rejected – electronic diary notes admitted

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 182, 183 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) ss 69, 140, 183 Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 37M Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 14.01, 20.21 Restraint of Trade Act 1976 (NSW) s 4

Adamson v New South Wales Rugby League Limited [1991] FCA 8; 27 FCR 535 AEI Insurance Group Pty Ltd v Martin (No 2) [2023] FCA 277 AEI Insurance Group Pty Ltd v Martin [2022] FCA 1384 AEI Insurance Group Pty Ltd v Martin [2023] FCA 914 Allen v Tobias [1958] HCA 13; 98 CLR 367 Amoco Australia Pty Ltd v Rocca Bros Motor Engineering Co Pty Ltd [1973] HCA 40; 133 CLR 288 Ancient Order of Foresters in Victoria Friendly Society Limited v Lifeplan Australia Friendly Society Limited [2018] HCA 43; 265 CLR 1 ASIC v Hellicar [2012] HCA 17; 247 CLR 345 Belflora Pty Ltd v Vinflora Pty Ltd [2021] NSWCA 178; 106 NSWLR 67 Briginshaw v Briginshaw [1938] HCA 34; 60 CLR 336 Cactus Imaging Pty Ltd v Peters [2006] NSWSC 717; 71 NSWLR 9 Carsal and Associates Pty Ltd v Crozier [2024] NSWSC 26 Cases cited: DXC Eclipse Pty Ltd v Wildsmith [2023] NSWCA 98 Hanna v OAMPS [2010] NSWCA 267 Hanna v OAMPS Insurance Brokers Ltd [2010] NSWSC 781; 202 IR 420 Herbert Morris Ltd v Saxelby [1916] 1 AC 688 Idameneo (No 123) Pty Ltd v Angel-Honnibal [2002] NSWSC 1214 Isaac v Dargan Financial Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCA 163; 98 NSWLR 343 Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 9; 101 CLR 298 Nordenfelt v Maxim Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Co Ltd [1894] AC 535 Re Vassis; Ex parte Leung [1986] FCA 19; 9 FCR 518 Stenhouse Australia Ltd v Phillips [1974] AC 391 Tullett Prebon (Australia) Pty Ltd v Purcell [2008] NSWSC 852 Tuncock v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCA 1069 Vitali v Stachnik [2001] NSWSC 303 Wimpole v Mcllwraith [1923] VLR 553; 29 ALR 427