Human Appeal International Australia v Beyond Bank Australia Ltd (No 2) [2023] NSWSC 1161

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Human Appeal International Australia v Beyond Bank Australia Ltd (No 2) [2023] NSWSC 1161 Hearing dates: 30 August, 6 September 2023 Date of orders: 27 September 2023 Decision date: 27 September 2023 Jurisdiction: Equity - Expedition List Before: Parker J Decision: See [147], [150] Catchwords: BANKING AND FINANCE – banker and customer – mutual bank – bank's standard terms & conditions incorporate Customer Owned Banking Association Code of Practice – customer's banking facilities terminated without explanation – concession that termination required valid commercial reason – alleged possibility of onerous obligations under Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Act – evidentiary onus not discharged – termination invalid – Code requires bank's terms & conditions to strike "fair balance" between legitimate needs and interests of customer and interests and obligations, including prudential obligations, of bank – terms permit termination without reasons – terms non-compliant BANKING AND FINANCE – interaction between Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Act obligations and notice to produce for inspection procedure – whether any disclosure of privileged documents required Legislation Cited: Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth), ss 3, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 81, 84, 85, 86, 92, 123, 124 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, rr 1.9, 21.09, 21.10, 21.11, Dictionary Cases Cited: ASIC v Australia and New Zealand Banking Corporation Ltd (No 3) [2020] FCA 1421 ASIC v National Australia Bank Ltd [2022] FCA 1324 Bailey v New South Wales Medical Defence Union Ltd (1995) 184 CLR 399 Crawford v Crawford (No 4) [2016] NSWSC 910 Foley v Hill (1848) 2 HL Cas 28 Human Appeal International Australia v Beyond Bank Australia Ltd [2023] NSWSC 382 International Relief Fund for the Afflicted and Needy (Canada) v Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 2013 ONSC 4612 Joachimson v Swiss Bank Corporation [1921] 3 KB 110 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Kizon v Palmer (1997) 72 FCR 409 Marundrury v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (No 2) [2022] FCA 916 Northern Territory v GPAO (1999) 196 CLR 553 RCG Forex Service Corp v HSBC Bank Canada 2011 BCSC 315 Realestate.com.au Pty Ltd v Hardingham (2022) 296 ALJR 40 Rofe Way Pty Ltd v Ronald [2023] NSWSC 1086 Stewart v Phoenix National Bank (1937) 49 Ariz. 34 Sundararajah v Teachers Federation Health Limited [2011] FCA 1031