McRann v UnitedGlobalcom Inc and ors [2003] NSWIRComm 131

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : McRann v UnitedGlobalcom Inc and ors [2003] NSWIRComm 131 APPLICANT/RESPONDENT ON THE MOTION Robert McRann

FIRST RESPONDENT/FIRST APPLICANT ON THE MOTION United Globalcom Inc

SECOND RESPONDENT/SECOND APPLICANT ON THE MOTION UIH Asia/Pacific Communications, Inc.

PARTIES : THIRD RESPONDENT/THIRD APPLICANT ON THE MOTION Austar United Communications Limited

FOURTH RESPONDENT/FOURTH APPLICANT ON THE MOTION Austar Entertainment Pty Limited

FIFTH RESPONDENT/FIFTH APPLICANT ON THE MOTION CTV Pty Limited

SIXTH RESPONDENT/SIXTH APPLICANT ON THE MOTION STV Pty Limited FILE NUMBER: 3104 of 2001 CORAM: Peterson J CATCHWORDS : Unfair contract claim - Interlocutory motion by respondents to dismiss proceedings before hearing - Applicant and first respondent citizens of USA - Applicant as employee of first respondent seconded to work in Australia as Managing Director of Australian affiliates of first respondent - US litigation pending - Questions of jurisdiction - Whether contract "in and of New South Wales" - Questions of issue of estoppel - Whether deed of release operates as an estoppel - Whether motion premature - Motion denied on all grounds. LEGISLATION CITED : Industrial Relations Act 1996 Interpretation Act 1987 Nagle (t/as W D & J L Nagle & Sons) v Tilburg (1993) 51 IR 8 Western Sydney Area Health Service v Gibson (2001) 109 IR 359 Reich v Client Server Professionals of Australia Pty Ltd (2000) 49 NSWLR 551 McGurk v ECC Lighting Ltd [1996] NSWIRComm 159, 30 August 1996, unreported. Thoday v Thoday [1964] P 181 Port of Melbourne Authority v Anshun Pty Limited (1981) 147 CLR 589 Hoyts Pty Ltd v Spencer (1919) 27 CLR 133 Mayburry v Atlantic Union Oil Co Ltd (1953) 89 CLR 507 CASES CITED : Kish v V G Haulage (1971) AR 956 Bartolacci v Permanent Custodians Ltd (1992) 44 IR 388 David Jones Limited v Cukeric (1997) 78 IR 430 Chrysler Jeep v Canberra Star Motors (1997) 79 IR 452 Origin Energy Limited v Smith (NSW) [2001] NSWIRComm308 Kosta Tszyu v Fight Vision Pty Ltd (2001) 104 IR 225 Grant v John Grant & Sons Pty Limited (1954) 91 CLR 112 Regie National des Usines Renault SA v Zhang (2002) 187 ALR 1 OJEH Pty Ltd and ors v Primus Telecommunication Pty Ltd [2001] NSWIRComm 27