Farahbakht v Midas Australia Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 1322

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Farahbakht v Midas Australia Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 1322

HEARING DATE(S) : 30 October 2006 JURISDICTION : Equity Division Duty List

JUDGMENT OF : Brereton J

EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE : 11/01/2006

DECISION : Plaintiff found guilty of contempt of court. No order for committal. Plaintiff/respondent to pay defendant/applicant's costs on indemnity basis.

CATCHWORDS : CONTEMPT - Interference with administration of justice - interference with persons having roles in administration of justice - witnesses - attempt to influence witness in relation to giving evidence - where no threat but subtle influence - Punishment - where apology tendered - general deterrence.

LEGISLATION CITED : Supreme Court Rules 1970 (NSW), Pt 55, r 13

Athens v Randwick City Council (2005) 64 NSWLR 58; [2005] NSWCA 317 Attorney-General v Butterworth [1963] 1 QB 696 Brambles Holdings Ltd v Trade Practices Commission (No 2) (1980) 32 ALR 328, ATPR 40-179; 44 FLR 182 Bromilow v Phillips (1891) 40 WR 220; 36 Sol Jo 124; 8 TLR 168 Global Custodians Ltd v Mesh [2002] NSWSC 845 Freeman v The Queen (1985) 3 NSWLR 303 Kirkpatrick v Kotsis [2004] NSWSC 1248 Lane v Registrar of the Supreme Court of New South Wales (1981) 148 CLR 245 Lilter v Thompson (1839) 2 Bear 129 Meissner v The Queen (1995) 184 CLR 132 R v Kellett [1976] QB 372 CASES CITED : R v McLachlan [1998] 2 VR 55 R v Rogerson, Nowytarger & Paltos (1992) 174 CLR 268 R v Taylor [1999] 3 VR 657 R v Toney [1993] 2 All ER 409 Re B (an infant) [1965] Ch 1112 Re Johnson (1887) 20 QBD 68 Rowden v Universities Cooperative Association Limited (1881) 71 LT Jo 373 Shaw v Shaw (1861) 2 Sw & Tr 517; (1861) 164 ER 1097 The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Equity Division v McPherson [1980] 1 NSWLR 688 Watson v Collings (1944) 70 CLR 51 Wellby v Still (1892) 66 LT 523; 8 TLR 202 Witham v Holloway (1995) 183 CLR 525