Michael Wolf v Armstrong Miller and McLaren Pty Limited [2005] NSWIRComm 92

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION: Michael Wolf v Armstrong Miller and McLaren Pty Limited [2005] NSWIRComm 92

MICHAEL WOLF Applicant

PARTIES: ARMSTRONG MILLER & McLAREN PTY LIMITED (ACN 000 670 093) Respondent

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC 6096 of 2003

CORAM: Schmidt J

Practice and Procedure - notice of motion setting aside summons to produce - production of documents sought from an industrial advocacy business - privilege - legal professional privilege - confidentiality - construction of Rule 186 - whether documents sought be privileged if applicant engaged a legal practitioner - application under Rule 186 - applicant's claim for privilege allowed

CATCHWORDS: Evidence - Section 126B of the Evidence Act 1995

Evidence Act 1995 Industrial Relations Commission Rules Industrial Relations Act 1996 LEGISLATION CITED: Industrial Relations Act 1991 (repealed) Industrial Relations Act 1940 (repealed) Legal Profession Act 1987

BP Refinery (Westernport) Pty Ltd v Shire of Hastings (1977) 180 CLR 266 Davis v Amalgamated Television Services Pty Limited (1998) 81 IR 364 Esso Australia Resources v FCT (1999) 201 CLR 49 Estok v Issues & Images Group Pty Limited and Others [2002] NSWIRComm 67 In re Dental Technicians Award (1969) 69 AR 520 Maronis Holdings Ltd & Anor v Nippon Credit Australia Ltd & Ors [2000] NSWSC 836 CASES CITED: M & W Grazebrook Limited v Wallins [1973] ALL ER 868 New South Wales Nurses Association v Western Sydney Area Health Service [2002] NSWIRComm 35 Rodgers v Rodgers (1964) 114 CLR 608 Urqhardt v Lanham [2003] NSWSC 109 Wood v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Unreported, Ritter JR, 1 May 1996, Industrial Relations Court of Australia)