Brightwell v RFB Holdings [2003] NSWSC 7

Reported Decision : (2003) 44 ACSR 186 (2003) 21 ACLC 355

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Brightwell v RFB Holdings [2003] NSWSC 7 HEARING DATE(S) : 8, 11 & 23 July, 16 August 2002 JUDGMENT DATE : 29 January 2003 JURISDICTION: Equity JUDGMENT OF : Austin J DECISION : Application for leave to amend granted, application for leave under s 237 of Corporations Act granted

CATCHWORDS : CORPORATIONS - derivative action to assert company's claim - whether Part 2F.1.A of Corporations Act applies to company in liquidation - whether Court's inherent power to authorise creditor or contributory to assert rights of company in liquidation survives Part 2F.1.A - whether Part 2F.1.A applies where general law derivative action commenced before 13 March 2000 - discretionary considerations under Part 2F.1.A - PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application for leave to amend statement of claim - delay and prejudice - new claims - LIMITATION OF ACTIONS - whether amendment with leave relates back to time of filing of summons when no new party is joined Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 236, 237, 477(6), 511 LEGISLATION CITED : Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) s 14 Supreme Court Rules Pt 8 r 2, 8, 11, Pt 20 r 4 Advent Investors Pty Ltd v Goldhirsch (2001) 37 ACSR 529 Aliprandi v Griffith Vintners Pty Ltd (in liq) (1991) 6 ACSR 250 BL & GY International Co Ltd v Hypec Electronics Pty Ltd [2001] NSWSC 705 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1997) 186 CLR 541 Brunninghausen v Glavanics (1999) 46 NSWLR 538 Cadima Express Pty Ltd v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (1999) 33 ACSR 527 Cadwallader v Bajco Pty Ltd [2001] NSWSC 1193 Cadwallader v Bajco Pty Ltd [2002] NSWCA 328 Cape Breton Co v Fenn (881) 17 Ch D 198 Chittick v Maxwell (1993) 118 ALR 728 Clough v Frog (1974) 4 ALR 615 Cohen v McWilliam (1995) 38 NSWLR 476 Commonwealth v McLean (1996) 41 NSWLR 389 CASES CITED : Foss v Harbottle (1843) 2 Hare 461 [67 ER 189] Hartigan v International Society for Krishna Consciousness Inc [1999] NSWSC 57 Karam v Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (2000) 34 ACSR 545 Keyrate Pty Ltd v Hamarc Pty Ltd (2001) 38 ACSR 396 McGee v Yeomans [1977] 1 NSWLR 273 Pace v Antlers Pty Ltd (in liq) (1998) 26 ACSR 49 Queensland v JL Holdings Pty Ltd (1997) 189 CLR 146 Re Calgary & Edmonton Land Co Ltd (in liq) [1975] 1 All ER 1046 Roach v Winnote Pty Ltd (in liq) [2001] NSWSC 822 Russell v Westpac Banking Corporation (1994) 13 ACSR 5 Shum Yip Properties Development Ltd v Chatswood Investment & Development Co Pty Ltd (2002) 40 ACSR 619 Swansson v Pratt (2002) 42 ACSR 313 TCN Channel 9 Pty Ltd v Antoniadis (1998) 44 NSWLR 682 Williams v Minister, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (1984) 35 NSWLR 497 Anthony Frank Brightwell (P1) Craig Ronald Brightwell (P2) Valda May Brightwell (P3) Donna Louise Gillies (P4) PARTIES : Susan Gai Slater (P5) RFB Holdings Pty Ltd (In liq) (D1) John Albert Shirlaw (D2/XD) Audrey Jean Brightwell (D3/XC) Audrey Jean Brightwell as executrix of the Estate of Ronald Frank Brightwell, late of Collaroy Beach NSW, Deceased (D4) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 5156/99 Mr R Glasson (P) COUNSEL : Ms R Pepper (D2) Mr L Tyndall (D3, D4) McLaughlin & Riordan (P) SOLICITORS : Minter Ellison (D2) Gregory Falk & Associates (D3, D4)