Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited [2024] FCA 1226

Federal Court of Australia Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited [2024] FCA 1226 File number(s): NSD 701 of 2024

Judgment of: ABRAHAM J

Date of judgment: 23 October 2024

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – defamation – security for costs application – stay application – where respondents seek security for costs for appeal – where appellant seeks stay on costs orders below pending outcome of appeal – where appellant impecunious – where notices of contention filed – where findings against appellant below are serious – where grounds of appeal are arguable – whether appeal is in the public interest – the appellant's right of appeal – security for costs refused – stay granted

Bankruptcy Act 1996 (Cth) s 60 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 23, 24, 37P, 43, 56 Legislation: Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 36.08, 36.09 Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) ss 25, 30 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, opened for signature 19 December 1996, 999 UNTS 171 (entered into force 23 March 1976) art 14

Alexander v Cambridge Credit Corporation Ltd (receivers appointed) (1985) 2 NSWLR 685 Ali v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2020] FCA 860 Allison v Murphy [2021] FCA 1551 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v BMW (Australia) Ltd (No 2) [2003] FCA 864 Australian Equity Investors v Colliers International (NSW) Pty Ltd [2012] FCAFC 57 Bell Wholesale Co. Ltd v Gates Export Corporation [1984] FCA 29; (1984) 2 FCR 1 Botsman v Bolitho [2018] VSCA 111 Burns v AMP Finance Ltd [2005] FCA 761 Chawk v Callan [2024] FCA 92 Cowell v Taylor (1885) 31 Ch D 34 Dye v Commonwealth Securities Limited [2012] FCA 992 East Grace Corporation v Xing (No 1) [2005] FCA 219 Etnyre v Australian Broadcasting Commission [2021] FCA 610 Flight Centre Limited v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2014] FCA 658 Gentry Brothers Pty Ltd v Wilson Brown & Associates Pty Ltd [1992] FCA 592; (1992) 8 ACSR 405 Hardingham v RP Data Pty Ltd [2020] FCA 1062 HBSY v Lewis [2024] HCA 35 James v Australian and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (No 1) [1985] FCA 539; (1985) 9 FCR 442 Kalifair Pty Ltd v Digi-Tech (Australia) Ltd, McLean Tecnic Pty Ltd v Digi-Tech (Australia) Ltd [2002] NSWCA 383; (2002) 55 NSWLR 737 Cases cited: Karis v Digital CC Management Pty Ltd (No 3) [2024] FCA 738 Knight v Beyond Properties Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 764 KP Cable Investments Pty Ltd v Meltglow Pty Ltd [1995] FCA 76; (1995) 56 FCR 189 Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited (Costs) (No 2) [2024] FCA 706 Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited (Costs) [2024] FCA 486 Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited (Cross-claims) [2024] FCA 102 Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited (Trial Judgment) [2024] FCA 369 Madgwick v Kelly [2013] FCAFC 61; (2013) 212 FCR 1 Master Wealth Control Pty Ltd v ACCC (Stay application) [2024] FCA 1024 Nolten v Groeneveld Australia Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 1494 Nyoni v Shire of Kellerberrin (No 9) [2016] FCA 472 Powerflex Services Pty Ltd v Data Access Corp [1996] FCA 460; (1996) 67 FCR 65 Re Middle Harbour Investments Ltd (in liq) (unreported, Court of Appeal NSW, 15 December 1976) Singh v Secretary, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations [2007] FCA 90 Staff Development & Training Centre Pty Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia [2005] FCA 1643 Stapleton v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 1418 Thomas v STX Pan Ocean Co Ltd [2011] FCA 254 Tickle v Giggle for Girls Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 553 Urban Alley Brewery Pty Ltd v La Sirène Pty Ltd (No 2) [2020] FCA 351 Viagogo AG v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2021] FCA 175 Wooldridge v Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2015] FCA 349; (2015) 106 ACSR 551