Brown v DML Resources (No.3) [2001] NSWSC 719

Reported Decision : (2002) 20 ACLC 510

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Brown v DML Resources (No.3) [2001] NSWSC 719 CURRENT JURISDICTION: Equity FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 3830/00 HEARING DATE(S) : 24 July, 1 & 20 August 2001 JUDGMENT DATE : 29 August 2001

Martin Russell Brown and Timothy James Cuming (P & R) DML Resources Pty Limited (In liquidation) (D1) PARTIES : DML Resources (WA) Pty Limited (In liquidation) (D2) BP Australia Holdings Pty Ltd (A1) BP Australia Pty Ltd (A2) JUDGMENT OF : Austin J

COUNSEL : B Coles QC with M Ashhurst (A1 & A2) C R Newlinds (P & R) SOLICITORS : Carneys, Lawyers (A1 & A2) Kemp Strang (P & R) CATCHWORDS : CORPORATIONS - winding up of a company - liquidator's proceedings under s 588FF to challenge unfair preference - application for extension of time under s 588FF(3) - orders for extension of time made ex parte - orders subsequently set aside on application by a creditor for denial of natural justice - whether s 588FF(3) allows that creditor to be joined as a party outside the three year time limit PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - ex parte order set aside as regards applicant for denial of natural justice - whether hearing may proceed inter parties without joinder of affected applicant as a defendant Corporations Law Act 2001 (Cth), ss 5E, 588FF, 1383, 1399, 1400, 1402 LEGISLATION CITED : Corporations (Repeals, Consequentials and Transitionals) Act 2001 (Cth), ss 3, 6 Corporations Law, s 588FF Corporations (Ancillary Provisions) Act 2001 (NSW), s 6 Craig v Kanssen [1943] KB 257 Bridge Shipping Pty Ltd v Grand Shipping SA (1991) 173 CLR 231 Dahozo Pty Ltd v Oz-US Film Productions Pty Ltd (1997) 24 ACSR 739 Drinan v Hickey (1982) 11 NSWLR 744 Fernance v Nominal Defendant (1989) 17 NSWLR 710 Hoskins v Van Den-Braak (1988) 43 NSWLR 290 Hospital Products Ltd v United States Surgical Corporation (1985) 1 56CLR 41 CASES CITED : Kioa v West (1995) 159 CLR 550 London Passenger Transport Board v Mosscrop [1942] AC 332 News Ltd v Australian Rugby Football League Ltd (1986) 64 FCR 410 Oates v Attorney-General (Cth) (1998) 156 ALR 1 Pegang Mining Co Ltd v Choong Sam (1969) 2 MLJ 52 Re Eastern Cleaning Services Pty Ltd (1978) 2 NSWLR 278 Stout v R A Wenham Builders Pty Ltd; Michilis Bros Pty Ltd (Third Party) [1980] 1 NSWLR 426 Wenham v General Credits Ltd (Supreme Court of New South Wales, 16 December 1988, unreported Wentworth v Wentworth (executor of the estate of the Late GN Wentworth) [2000] NSWCA 350 DECISION : Ex parte orders set aside, with costs, as regards applicants. Submissions directed as to whether proceeding should now be dismissed