TZ Ltd v ZMS Investments Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 1465

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : TZ Ltd v ZMS Investments Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 1465

HEARING DATE(S) : 16 December 2009

JUDGMENT DATE : 23 December 2009

JURISDICTION : Equity Corporations List

JUDGMENT OF : Austin J

DECISION : Contempt by first and third defendants found; first and third defendants severally fined $5,000, and ordered jointly and severally to pay costs of application on indemnity basis

CATCHWORDS : PROCEDURE - civil contempt of court - contravention of interlocutory "freezing orders" - clear and deliberate breach of orders - breach by corporate defendant - director involved in breach by causing the contravening combat to occur - appropriate punishment for contemnors

LEGISLATION CITED : Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 23 Supreme Court Rules, Part 55 rules 6, 7, 8, 13

ACCC v World Netsafe Pty Ltd (2003) 133 FCR 279; [2003] FCA 1501 Adlam v Noack [1999] FCA 1606 ASIC v Matthews [2009] NSWSC 77 ASIC v Michalik (2004) 52 ACSR 115; [2004] NSWSC 1259 ASIC v Reid [2002] FCA 84 Crane Distribution Ltd v Schellebeeck [2009] NSWSC 263 Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Hickey (1999) ATC 5124; [1999] FCA 259 CASES CITED : Hamilton v Whitehead (1988) 166 CLR 121; [1988] HCA 65 Houghton v Arms (2006) 225 CLR 553; [2006] HCA 59 John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd v McRae (1955) 93 CLR 351; [1955] HCA 12 Mallan v Lee (1949) 80 CLR 198; [1949] HCA 48 Metcash Trading Ltd v Bunn (No 5) [2009] FCA 16 NCR Australia v Credit Connection [2005] NSWSC 1118 Pelechowski v The Registrar, Court of Appeal (1999) 198 CLR 435; [1999] HCA 19 Wright v Wheeler Grace & Pierucci Pty Ltd (1988) ATPR 40-865; [1988] FCA 129 Yorke v Lucas (1985) 158 CLR 661; [1985] HCA 65