John Vouris Re; Epromotions Australia Pty Ltd and Relectronic-Remech Pty Ltd (In Liq) [2003] NSWSC 702

Reported Decision : 47 ACSR 155 (2004) 22 ACLC 822

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : John Vouris Re; Epromotions Australia Pty Ltd and Relectronic-Remech Pty Ltd (In Liq) [2003] NSWSC 702 HEARING DATE(S) : 21-22 July 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 1 September 2003 JURISDICTION: Equity JUDGMENT OF : Campbell J DECISION : Late convening of second creditors' meeting validated under section 1322(4) and section 447A. Plaintiff relieved from civil liability in respect of late convening of meeting, on proviso that that order did not prevent Companies Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board from taking such action, if any, as it thought fit concerning that contravention. Declaration that plaintiff not in breach of section 439A(4) Corporations Law by not expressing an opinion concerning Deed of Company Arrangement which he was informed about only after convening second creditors' meeting

CATCHWORDS : CORPORATIONS - voluntary administration - procedure for convening of second creditors' meeting - curing late convening of second creditors' meeting under section 1322(4) Corporations Act - curing late convening of second creditors' meeting under section 447A Corporations Law and Corporations Act - ability of order under section 447A to cure past defects - powers of chairperson of second creditors' meeting to adjourn - inappropriateness of Court making declarations concerning matter involving judgment or discretion which has been entrusted to Companies Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board - excusing breaches under section 1318 Corporations Act 2001 - what types of breaches can be excused - relieving from civil liability under section 1322(4)(c) Corporations Act 2001 - what counts as "civil liability" - whether declaration should be made about admissibility or relevance of evidence in proceedings in Companies Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) Australian Securites and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth) Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) LEGISLATION CITED : Corporations Law Corporations Regulations Fair Trading Act 1987 Judicial Trustees Act 1896 Service and Execution Process Act 1901 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Ainsworth v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 175 CLR 564 Alliance Petroleum Australia (NL) v Australian Gaslight Co Ltd (1983) 48 CLR 69 ACS v Anderson [1974] 2 NSWLR 482 Australasian Memory Pty Ltd v Brien (2000) 200 CLR 270 AWA Ltd v Daniels (1992) 7 ACSR 759 Bell Resources Ltd v Turnbridge Pty Ltd (1988) 13 ACLR 429 Bourke v Hamilton [1977] 1 NSWLR 470 Re Brashs Pty Ltd (1994) 15 ACSR 477 Byng v London Life Association Ltd [1989] BCLC 400 Cawthorn v Keira Constructions Pty Ltd (1994) 33 NSWLR 607 Re Caysand No 64 Pty Ltd (1993) 12 ACSR 291 Cheney v Spooner (1929) 41 CLR 532 In Re Chillington Iron Company (1885) 29 ChD 159 Colorado Constructions Pty Ltd v Platus [1966] 2 NSWR 598 Dean-Willcocks (Administrators of Powerline GES Pty Ltd) v Powerline GES Pty Limited (Joint Admins Appointed) [2002] NSWSC 40; (2002) 40 ACSR 516 Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Portinex Pty Ltd [2000] NSWSC 99; (2000) 34 ACSR 391; (2000) 156 FLR 453 Doran Constructions Pty Ltd (in liq) v Beresfield Aluminium Pty Ltd (2002) 54 NSWLR 416 Re Double V Marketing Pty Ltd (in admin) (1995) 16 ACSR 498 Flynn v The University of Sydney [1971] 1 NSWLR 857 Forster v Jododex Australia Pty Ltd (1972) 127 CLR 421 Hehir v Smith [2002] QSC 136 Ibeneweka v Egbuna [1964] 1 WLR 219 CASES CITED : John v Rees [1970] 1 Ch 345 Lawson v Mitchell [1975] VR 579 Re LOCM Pty Ltd (1997) 15 ACLC 1576 McPherson v Mansell (1994) 16 ACSR 261 Re Macquarie Medical Holdings Pty Ltd [2003] NSWSC 277 Re Nardell Coal Corporation (In Liq) v Hunter Valley Coal Processing [2003] NSWSC 642 National Dwelling Society v Sykes [1894] 3 Ch 159 Re Old Papa's Holdings Ltd (under administration); ex parte Wallman (plaintiff) [2001] WASC 188; (2001) 24 WAR 229 Panasystems Pty Ltd v Voodoo Tech Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 428 Re Pochi and Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1979) 26 ALR 247 R v D'Oyly (1840) 12 Ad & El 139; 113 ER 763 Reynolds v Australian Stock Exchange Ltd [2003] NSWSC 33; (2003) 44 ACSR 612 Re Ricon Constructions Pty Ltd (in liq); ex parte McDonald (1997) 43 NSWLR 174; (1997) 26 ACSR 655 Rodriguez v Telstra Corp Ltd [2002] FCA 30 Russian Commercial and Industrial Bank v British Bank for Foreign Trade Ltd [1921] 2 AC 438 Shirlaw v Graham [2001] NSWSC 612 Smith Paringa Mines Ltd (1906) 2 Ch 193 Re Supreme Imports Pty Ltd (In liquidation); Re DeVries [2001] NSWSC 1209 TNT Bulkships Ltd v Interstate Construction Pty Ltd (1985) 35 NTR 15 Re Vanfox Pty Ltd (1994) 13 ACSR 209 Re Vassal Pty Ltd (1983) 8 ACLR 683 Re Williams Bros Ltd (1928) 46 WN (NSW) 39 Wishart v Henneberry (1962) 3 FLR 171 Re Wood Parsons Pty Ltd (in liq) [2002] NSWSC 1058; (2002) 43 ACSR 257 PARTIES : John Vouris - Plaintiff FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 3177/03 B Coles QC; K Eassie - Plaintiff COUNSEL : G McNally - ASIC Ms N Wood, solicitor - Rickland P/L, Cryson P/L, Kosinar Coudert Brothers - Plaintiff SOLICITORS : M Burnett - ASIC Nash O'Neill Tomko Lawyers - Rickland P/L, Cryson P/L, Kosinar