In the matter of Humur Pty Limited [2020] NSWSC 1759

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: In the matter of Humur Pty Limited [2020] NSWSC 1759 Hearing dates: 24 and 25 November 2020 Decision date: 08 December 2020 Jurisdiction: Equity - Corporations List Before: Black J Decision: Proceedings dismissed. Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – insolvent trading – claim against director under s 558G and 588M of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for insolvent trading – whether companies were insolvent or became insolvent by incurring the debts – whether there were reasonable grounds to suspect that company was insolvent or may become insolvent by incurring the debt – whether director was aware that there were reasonable grounds to suspect insolvency or a reasonable person would have been aware – liquidator's failure to obtain requisite approval for entry into assignment agreement imposing obligations on liquidator. Legislation Cited: - Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 9, 95A, 477(2B), 588E, 588G, 588M - Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 140 Cases Cited: - Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd v Australian National University (2009) 239 CLR 175 - Aquatic Air Pty Ltd v Siewert [2015] NSWSC 928 - Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Edwards (No 3) (2006) 57 ACSR 209; [2006] NSWSC 376 - Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Healey (No 2) (2011) 85 ACSR 654; [2011] FCA 1003 - Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Plymin (No 1) (2003) 46 ACSR 126; [2003] VSC 123 - Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Rich (2005) 216 ALR 320; 53 ACSR 752; [2005] NSWSC 417 - Bentley Smythe Pty Ltd v Anton Fabrications (NSW) Pty Ltd (2011) 248 FLR 384; [2011] NSWSC 186 - Box Valley Pty Ltd v Kidd [2006] NSWCA 26 - Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 - Campbell Street Theatre Pty Ltd (recs & mgrs apptd) (in liq) v Commercial Mortgage Trade Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 669 - Edenden v Bignell [2007] NSWSC 1122 - Elliott v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2004) 10 VR 369; [2004] VSCA 54 - Empire (Aust) Nominees v Vince (2000) 35 ACSR 167 - Fisher v Divine Homes Pty Ltd (2011) 85 ACSR 512; [2011] NSWSC 8 - Hall v Poolman (2007) 65 ACSR 123; [2007] NSWSC 1330 - Hans Pet Constructions Pty Ltd v Cassar [2009] NSWCA 230 - McLellan; Re Stake Man Pty Ltd v Carroll (2009) 76 ACSR 67; [2009] FCA 1415 - One.Tel Ltd (in liq) v Rich [2005] NSWSC 226; (2005) 190 FLR 443; 53 ACSR 623 - Presbyterian Church (NSW) Property Trust v Scots Church Development Ltd (2007) 64 ACSR 31; [2007] NSWSC 676 - Primacy Underwriting Agency Pty Ltd v Kilborn (2007) 25 ACLC 160; [2007] NSWSC 158 - Powell v Fryer (2001) 37 ACSR 589; [2001] SASC 59 - Re Centro Properties Ltd (2011) 87 ACSR 131; [2011] NSWSC 1171 - Re Colorado Products Pty Ltd (in prov liq) (2014) 101 ACSR 233; [2014] NSWSC 789 - Re Condon; Ex parte James (1874) LR 9 Ch App 609 - Re Swan Services Pty Limited (in liq) [2016] NSWSC 1724 - Rose v Tunstall (No 3) [2018] NSWSC 172 - Smith v Bone (2015) 104 ACSR 528; [2015] FCA 319 - Southern Cross Interiors Pty Ltd (in liq) v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (2001) 39 ACSR 305; [2001] NSWSC 621 - Re SSET Constructions Pty Ltd (in liq) – Sims v Khattar [2010] NSWSC 102 - Stone v Melrose Cranes & Rigging Pty Ltd, Cardinal Project Services Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 2) (2018) 125 ACSR 406; [2018] FCA 530 - White Constructions (ACT) Pty Ltd (in liq) v White [2004] NSWSC 71; (2004) 49 ACSR 220 - Woodgate v Fawcett (2008) 67 ACSR 611; [2008] NSWSC 868 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Bruce Gleeson in his capacity as liquidator of Humur Pty Limited (deregistered) formerly ACN 100 512 258 (First Plaintiff) BBRC Investments Pty Ltd (Second Plaintiff) Humur Pty Limited (Deregistered) (First Defendant) Paul Francis Murphy (Second Defendant) Australian Securities & Investments Commission (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: S Lipp (Plaintiff)