British American Tobacco Australia Ltd v Peter Gordon & Anor [2007] NSWSC 230

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : British American Tobacco Australia Ltd v Peter Gordon & Anor [2007] NSWSC 230 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S) : 26-27 February 2007

JUDGMENT DATE : 16 March 2007

JURISDICTION : Equity Division

JUDGMENT OF : Brereton J

DECISION : Interim relief should include restraint on any use of allegedly confidential information, and not permit use to inform proposed institution of other proceedings. Proceedings should be transferred to Supreme Court of Victoria. Parties to bring in Short Minutes.

CATCHWORDS : EQUITY – Breach of confidence – Injunction to restrain – Interim relief –injunctions to restrain "use" of information - whether "use" injunction should be granted when it might inhibit party in commencing other proceedings – whether exception on restraint to permit use to inform recipient's decision to commence other proceedings should be permitted – held, it should not – whether use injunction granted only where use would involve further dissemination – held it is not so limited. - JURISDICTION – Cross-vesting – transfer of proceedings – between Supreme Courts of States – relevant considerations – where defendants resident in Victoria, cause of action arises in Victoria, threatened breach is in Victoria, and issues will arise as to conduct of persons involved in previous proceedings in Supreme Court of Victoria – held, Victoria is the natural forum.

LEGISLATION CITED : (NSW) Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross Vesting) Act 1987

AG Australia Holdings Limited v Burton (2002) 58 NSWLR 464 AWB Limited v Cole (No 5) [2006] FCA 1234 Bankinvest AG v Seabrook (1988) 14 NSWLR 711 BHP Billiton Limited v Schultz (2004) 221 CLR 400 British American Tobacco Australia Ltd v Peter Gordon & Anor [2007] NSWSC 109 British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd v Cowell [2002] VSCA 197 British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd v Cowell [2003] VSCA 43 Calcraft v Guest [1898] 1 QB 759 CASES CITED : Director of Public Prosecutions v Kane (1997) 140 FLR 468 Goddard v Nationwide Building Society [1987] QB 670 James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd v Barry (2000) 50 NSWLR 357 Lord Ashburton v Pape [1913] 2 Ch 469 Malone v Metropolitan Police Commissioner (No 2) [1979] Ch 344 McCabe v British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd [2002] VSC 112 Seagar v Copydex Ltd [1967] 1 WLR 923 Spiliada Maritime Corporation v Cansulex Ltd [1987] AC 460 Sullivan v Sclanders & Goldwell International Pty Ltd (2000) 77 SASR 419 Terrapin Ltd v Builders Supply Company (Hayes) Ltd [1960] RPC 128