Vines, in the matter of the Bankrupt Estate of Mitchell [2024] FCA 1276

Federal Court of Australia Vines, in the matter of the Bankrupt Estate of Mitchell [2024] FCA 1276 File number:

Judgment of: FEUTRILL J

Date of judgment: 31 October 2024

Date of publication of reasons: 7 November 2024

Catchwords: BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY – urgent ex parte application to appoint receivers to company assets under s 57 of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – companies owned or controlled by bankrupt – risk of dissipation of company assets and diminution of value of bankrupt's estate by bankrupt – companies without directors – companies trustees of trusts – potential breach of s 77(1)(g) of Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) – application treated as application for final and interlocutory relief under s 30(1)(b) of Bankruptcy Act and s 90-15 of Insolvency Practice Schedule (Bankruptcy)

Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) ss 19, 19AA, 27(1), 29(4), 30(1)(b), 55, 58, 58(1), 77(1)(g), 81, 116, 129, 134(1), 178; Sch 2 s 90-15, 90-15(3)(a), 90-15(3)(c); Pt VI, Div 4A, ss 139A-139H Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 126, 201A, 201G, 201H, 206B(3), 201F(3), 201F(4), 203C, 249B, 420(2); Pt 2F.1, Pt 2F.1A; Sch 2 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 23, 57 Legislation: Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 79 Federal Court (Bankruptcy) Rules 2016 (Cth) r 2.01 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) rr 8.01(1), 8.04(1), 14.21, 14.22 Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) s 66G Law of Property Act 1936 (SA) s 86

Allen, in the matter of North East Wiradjuri Co Limited (Administrators Appointed) [2010] FCA 1248 Booth v Offerman as trustee of the bankrupt estate of Geoffrey David Booth [2019] FCA 5 Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia Pty Ltd v Commonwealth [2019] HCA 20; 268 CLR 524 Commonwealth v ABC2 Group Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 1383; 69 ACSR 228 Commonwealth of Australia v ABC2 Group Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 1442 Coshott v Prentice [2014] FCAFC 88; 221 FCR 450 Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Hua Wang Bank Berhad [2010] FCA 1014; 273 ALR 194 Forshaw v Thompson (1992) 35 FCR 329 Lewis v Condon [2013] NSWCA 204; 85 NSWLR 99 Martyniuk v King [2000] VSC 319 Morris v Maroudas (1986) 12 FCR 346 National Australia Bank Ltd v Bond Brewing Holdings Ltd [1990] HCA 10; 169 CLR 271 National Australia Bank Ltd v Bond Brewing Holdings Ltd [1991] 1 VR 386 Cases cited: Perth Fashion Festival Pty Ltd (in liq) v Fashion Council WA Ltd (in liq) [2022] WASC 210 Re Allco Securities Ltd [2011] NSWSC 1113 Re Clunies-Ross; Ex parte Totterdell [1987] FCA 159; 72 ALR 241 Re Hawden Property Group Pty Ltd (in liq) [2018] NSWSC 481; 125 ACSR 355 Re Octaviar Administration Pty Ltd (in liq) [2017] NSWSC 1556 Re Substar Holdings Pty Ltd (in liq) [2020] FCA 1863; 149 ACSR 185 Re Tyndall; Ex parte Official Receiver [1977] FCA 72; 17 ALR 182 Ridge Estate Pty Ltd v Fairfield Pastoral Holdings Pty Ltd [2024] FCAFC 17; 302 FCR 375 Ridge Estate Pty Ltd v Fairfield Pastoral Holdings Pty Ltd [2024] HCASL 187 Sandy v Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (No 2) [2016] WASC 75 (S) Sapphire (SA) Pty Ltd v Ewens Glen Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 714 Talacko v Talacko [2010] FCAFC 54; 183 FCR 311 The University of Western Australia v Gray (No 6) [2006] FCA 1825 Vince (Trustee), in the matter of Sopikiotis (Bankrupt) v Sopikiotis (No 2) [2012] FCA 1298