Migration International Group Pty Ltd ABN 36 632 311 847 v Mahr EDV GmbH [2023] NSWCATCD 122

Civil and Administrative Tribunal New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Migration International Group Pty Ltd ABN 36 632 311 847 v Mahr EDV GmbH [2023] NSWCATCD 122 Hearing dates: 09 August 2023 Date of orders: 25 August 2022 Decision date: 25 August 2023 Jurisdiction: Consumer and Commercial Division Before: J Levingston, General Member Decision: 1. The application by Migration International Group Pty Ltd is dismissed. 2. No order as to costs. Catchwords: Costs – dispute complex – arguable - not frivolous, nor vexatious, misconceived, or lacking in substance Jurisdiction – jurisdiction to determine jurisdiction - agreement made in Germany – exclusive law and jurisdiction clause – forum non-conveniens Legislation Cited: Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW) ss 28, 29, 36, 55(1)(b), 60, 62(3)(a), and Schedule 4 clause 3 Electronic Transactions Act 2000 (NSW) s13B Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) ss79D, 79E, 79F, 79G, 79K, 79L, 79N, s79U Cases Cited: Adeange v Nauru Phosphate Royalties Trust (Unreported, VSC, Hayne J, 8 July 1992). Agar v Hyde [2000] HCA 41; 201 CLR 552 at [51], [56]-[61] Akai Pty Ltd v the People's Insurance Co Ltd (1996) 188 CLR 418, at 427 per Dawson, 427 per McHugh JJ, and 445 per Toohey, Gaudron and Gummow JJ Aviet v Smith and Sear/s Ply Ltd (1956) 73 WN (NSW) 274 Amwano v Parbery [2005] FCA 1804; 148 FCR 126 at [17] Batistatos v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales [2006] HCA 27; 226 CLR 256 at [9] Best Australia Ltd v Aquagas Marketing Pty Ltd (1988) 83 ALR 217 at p223-234 CE Heath Underwriting and Ins (Aust) Pty Ltd v Barden (Unreported, NSWSC, Rolfe J, 19 October 1994, BC9403144) Cheng v Feng [2020] NSWCATCD 8 at [38] Citta Hobart Pty Ltd v Cawthorn [2022] HCA 16 at [1] – [47] particularly [25] (Kiefel CJ, Gageler, Keane, Gordon, Steward and Gleeson JJ; and at [48] – [86] per Edelman J Entores Limited v Miles Far East Corporation [1955] 2 QB 327 at 334 Facebook Inc v Australian Information Commissioner [2022] FCAFC 9 at [28] – [65] and [69], [74] per Allsop CJ, Perram and Yates JJ Garsec Pty Ltd v His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei [2008] NSWCA 211 Huddart Parker Ltd v The Ship "Mill Hill" (1950) 81 CLR 502 Incitec v Alkimos Shipping [2004] FCA 698; 138 FCR 496 at p506-508 James Hardie Industries Pty Ltd v Grigor (1998) 45 NSWLR 20 Mendelson-Zeller Co Inc v T & C Providores Ply Ltd [1981] 1 NSWLR 366 at 369 Mrjana v Imagine Education Australia Pty Ltd [2016] NSWCATAP 232 at [27], [28] Oceanic Sun Line Shipping Co v Fay (1988) 165 CLR 197 at 224 per Brennan J, 247-248 per Deane J, 259 per Gaudron J, and 428 -9 per Dawson and McHugh JJ Puttick v Tenon Ltd [2008] HCA 54; 238 CLR 265 Regie National des Usines Renault SA v Zhang [2002] HCA 10; 210 CLR 491 at [78], [79], [82] Reese Brothers Plastics Limited v Hamon-Sobelco Australia Pty Ltd [1988] 5 BPR 97352 Roberts v Chan & Naylor Parramatta Pty Ltd [2018] NSWCATAP 69 Strohschneider v Ehlert and the Estate of Ehlert [2008] SADC 54 Tallerman & Co Ply Ltd v Nathan's Merchandise (Vic) Pty Ltd (1957) 98 CLR 93 at 111 The Elefheria [1969] 2 All ER 461 at 465 Valve Corporation v ACCC [2017] FCAFC 224; 258 FCR 190 at 235 [149] Voth v Manildra Flour Mills Ply Ltd (1990) 171 CLR 538 at 564 per Mason CJ , Deane, Dawson and Gaudron JJ, and 572 per Brennan J Williams v Spautz [1992] HCA 34; 174 CLR 509 at [27] Wilson v Chan & Naylor Parramatta Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 213; (2020) 103 NSWLR 140 at 156 [72]‑[74] Texts Cited: Levingston, The Law of Tribunals, The Federation Press Sydney 2016 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Migration International Group Pty Ltd (Applicant) Mahr EDV GmbH (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr S Hoare (Respondent)