Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd [2011] NSWSC 433

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd [2011] NSWSC 433 Hearing dates: 15 -18 February 2011 Decision date: 13 May 2011 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Corporations List Before: Ward J Decision: Applications to discharge orders extending time for service of Statement of Claim upheld. Proceedings dismissed. Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE - applications by defendants pursuant to Rule 12.11(1)(e) and/or 36.16(1) for discharge or setting aside of ex parte orders extending time for service of the Statement of Claim - application for dismissal or permanent stay of the proceedings - plaintiffs' application for leave pursuant to s 64 and/or 65 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) to amend the Statement of Claim HELD - order pursuant to Rule 12.11(1)(e) that orders made ex parte on 16 November 2009 and 20 May 2010 extending the time for service of the Statement of Claim be discharged - proceedings dismissed - application to amend Statement of Claim dismissed Legislation Cited: Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth) Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Fair Trading Act 1989 (NSW) Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW) Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Supreme Court Rules 1970 (NSW) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Agricultural & Rural Finance v Kirk [2011] NSWCA 67 Agricultural and Rural Finance Pty Ltd v Atkinson [2010] NSWSC 42 Ahern v The Queen (1988) 165 CLR 87 Aktas v Adepta [2010] EWCA Civ 1170 Allen v Sir Alfred McAlpine & Sons Ltd [1968] 2 QB 229 Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27; (2009) 239 CLR 175 Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance Pty Ltd v Buzzle Operations Pty Ltd (in liq) [2009] NSWCA 104 Arthur Young v Tieco International (1995) 182 LSJS 367 Associated Leisure Ltd (Phonographic Equipment Co Ltd) v Associated Newspapers Ltd [1970] 2 QB 450 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v CG Berbatis (2003) 214 CLR 51 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Radio Rentals Pty Ltd (2005) 146 FCR 292 Australian Croatian Cultural and Educational Society 'Braca Radici' Blacktown Ltd v Benkovic [1999] NSWCA 210 Australian Securities & Investments Commission v Rich [2009] NSWSC 1229 Australian Wool Innovation Ltd v Newkirk [2005] FCA 290 Baker v The Queen [1975] 1 AC 774 Banque Commerciale SA (in liq) v Akhil Holdings Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 279 Bargan v State Government Insurance Office (Qld) (1982) 154 CLR 318 Barker & Ors v The Duke Group (in liq) [2005] SASC 81 Batistatos v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales (2006) 226 CLR 256 Battersby v Anglo-American Oil Co Ltd [1945] KB 23 Bayat v Lord Michael Cecil & ors [2011] EWCA Civ 135 Belan v Casey [2003] NSWSC 159 Bell Group Ltd & Ors v Westpac Banking Corporation & Ors (No 9) (2008) 70 ACSR 1 Birkett v James [1978] AC 297 Bishopsgate Insurance Australia Ltd (in liq) v Deloitte Haskins & Sells [1999] 3 VR 863 Blazai Pty Ltd v Gateway Development (St Marys) Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 800 Blomley v Ryan (1956) 99 CLR 362 BP Australia Ltd v Brown & ors [2003] NSWCA 216 Breen v Williams (1996) 186 CLR 71 Brickfield Properties Ltd v Newton [1971] 3 All ER 328 Bridgewater v Leahy (1998) 194 CLR 457 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Brooks v Sunlife Properties Pty Ltd, unreported; SCt of WA (Scott J, 21 February 1996) Bruce v Odhams Press Ltd [1936] 1 KB 697 Buzzle (Buzzle Operations Pty Ltd v Breirl [2007] NSWSC 922 Cabassi v Vila (1940) 64 CLR 130 Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd v The Dredge "Willemstad" (1976) 136 CLR 529 Canberra Data Centres Pty Ltd v Vibe Constructions (ACT) Pty Ltd [2010] ACTSC 20 Capital Finance Australia v Tolcher (2007) 164 FCR 83 Cartledge v E Jopling & Sons Ltd [1963] AC 758 CDJ v VAJ [1998] HCA 76; (1998) 197 CLR 172 Cement Australia Pty ltd & ors v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2010) 187 FCR 261 Chatsworth Investments Ltd v Cussins (Contractors) Ltd [1969] 1 All ER 143 Chief Executive Officer of Customs v Tony Longo Pty Limited (2001) 52 NSWLR 458 Christie v Purves and 2 Ors [2007] NSWCA 182 Clifton v Robinson (1853) 16 Beav 355; 51 ER 816 Coal and Allied Operations Pty Limited v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (2000) 203 CLR 194 Colbeam Palmer Ltd v Stock Affiliates Pty Ltd (1968) 122 CLR 25 Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd v Producers and Citizens Co-operative Assurance Co of Australia Ltd (1931) 46 CLR 41 Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd v Amadio (1983) 151 CLR 447 Commonwealth Bank of Australia v Ridout Nominees Pty Ltd [2000] WASC 37 Commonwealth of Australia v Smith [2007] NSWCA 168 Commonwealth v Griffiths (2007) 70 NSWLR 268 Creevey v Barrois [2005] NSWCA 264 CSR Limited v Eddy (2005) 226 CLR 1 Dagnell v JL Freedman & Co [1993] 1 WLR 388 Dart Industries Inc v Decor Corporation Pty Ltd (1993) 179 CLR 101 Davies v Chicago Boot Co Ltd (2006) 58 ACSR 505 Davy v Garrett (1878) Ch D 473 Deloughery & Ors v Weston (2010) 79 ACSR 180 Department of Transport v Chris Smaller (Transport) Ltd [1989] 1 AC 1197; 1 All ER 897 Distillers Co (Biochemicals) Ltd v Thompson [1971] AC 458 Dresna Pty Ltd v Misu Nominees Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 169; (2004) ATPR 1(42-013) Duke Group Ltd (in liq) v Alamain Investments Ltd & Ors [2003] SASC 415 Duncan v Lowenthal [1969] VR 180 Dye v Commonwealth Securities Limited (No 2) [2010] FCAFC 118 Eleftheriou v Water Board [1991] NSWCA 91 Elvidge Pty Ltd v BGC Construction Pty Ltd [2006] WASC 264 FAI Insurance Ltd v Mainprize [2006] NSWSC 554 Farah Constructions Pty Ltd v Say-Dee Pty Ltd (2007) 230 CLR 89 Fatimi Pty Ltd v Bryant (2004) 59 NSWLR 678 Fernance v The Nominal Defendant (1989) 17 NSWLR 710 Ford Excavations v Do Carmo [1981] 2 NSWLR 253 Forster v Outred & Co [1982] 1 WLR 86; [1982] 2 All ER 753 Foxe v Brown (1984) 58 ALR 542 Franklins v Metcash Trading (2009) 264 ALR 15 Galland v Mineral Underwriters Ltd [1977] WAR 116 Ghazal v GIO (NSW) (1992) 29 NSWLR 336 Gill v Eatts [1999] NSWSC 1056 GIO General Ltd v Love [2009] NSWCA 269. Goldie v Johnston [1968] VR 651 Goldsmith v Sandilands (2002) 190 ALR 370 Graham Lewis Herbert v Nozala Pty Ltd and 1 Or [2006] NSWSC 1437 Greater Lithgow City Council v Wolfenden [2007] NSWCA 180 Greenwood v Papdemetri [2007] NSWCA 221 H 1976 Nominees Pty Ltd v Galli (1979) 30 ALR 181 Halpin v Lumley General Insurance Ltd [2009] NSWCA 372 Hans Pet Constructions Pty Ltd v Cassar [2009] NSWCA 230 Harris v Caladine (1991) 172 CLR 84 Hartigan v International Krishna Consciousness [1999] NSWSC 57 Hawkins v Clayton (1988) 164 CLR 539 Henderson v Amadio Pty Ltd (No 1) (1995) 62 FCR 1; 140 ALR 391 Hewitt v Henderson [2006] WASC 233 HIH Insurance Ltd (In Liq) v General Re [2006] NSWSC 128 Hoddinott v Persimmon Homes [2008] 1 WLR 806 Holman v George Elliot & Co Ltd [1944] KB 591 Hoser v Hatcher [1999] NSWSC 527 Hughes v Western Australian Cricket Assn Inc (1986) 69 ALR 660 Hytrac Conveyors Ltd v Conveyors International Ltd [1983] 1 WLR 44 Ingot v Macquarie [2004] NSWSC 1136 International Harvester Co of Australia Pty Ltd v Carrigan's Hazeldene Pastoral Co (1958) 100 CLR 644 Itek Graphix Pty Ltd v Elliott [2002] NSWCA 104; (2002) 54 NSWLR 207 Jackamarra v Krakouer [1998] HCA 27 at 29; (1998) 195 CLR 516 Jago v District Court (NSW) (1989) 168 CLR 23 Kalls Enterprises Pty Ltd (in liq) v Baloglow (2007) 63 ACSR 557 Kellow-Falkiner Motors Pty Ltd v Christoforos Nimorakiotakis [2000] VSCA 1 Kleinwort Benson Ltd v Barbrak Ltd [1987] AC 597 Krakowski v Eurolynx Properties Ltd (1995) 183 CLR 563 Krawszyk v Graham [1966] SASR 73 Lawrance v Norreys (1888) 39 Ch D 213 Leitch v Abbott (1886) 31 Ch D 374 Louth v Diprose (1992) 175 CLR 621 Magman International Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corp (1991) 32 FCR 1; 104 ALR 575; [1992] ATPR 41-161; [1992] ASC 56-127 Maile v Rafiq [2005] NSWCA 410 Malec v JC Hutton Pty Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 638 Malterer v Southern Electric Authority of Queensland [1974] Qd R 43 Markisic v Commonwealth of Australia (2007) 69 NSWLR 737 Maronis Holdings Ltd v Nippon Credit Australia Ltd [2000] NSWSC 507 McDonald v Shone and Ors [2010] NSWSC 467 McGee v Yeomans [1977] 1 NSWLR 273 McKenna v McKenna [1984] VR 665 McLeod v West Australian Trustee Executor & Agency Co Ltd (1951) 53 WALR 4 Medcalf v Mardell [2003] 1 AC 120; [2002] 3 All ER 721 Micallef v ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 274 Micarone v Perpetual Trustees Australia Ltd (1999) 75 SASR 1 Milperra Marketing Pty Ltd v Bayliss [2001] NSWCA 315 Moratic Pty Ltd v Lawrence James Gordon [2007] NSWSC 5 NCR Australia v Credit Connections Pty Ltd [2004] NSWSC 1 Nelson v Wyong Shire Council (1989) 68 LGRA 164 New Cap Reinsurance v Reaseguros Alianza SA [2004] NSWSC 787 Newcastle City Council v Batistatos [2005] NSWCA 20 News Corporation Ltd v Lenfest Communications Inc (1996) 40 NSWLR 250 NZI Capital Corporation Ltd v Fulton [1998] FCA 667 OneFone Australia Pty Ltd v One. Tel Limited (2007) 61 ACSR 246 OneFone Australia Pty Ltd v One.Tel Limited (2007) 61 ACSR 429 Onefone Australia Pty Ltd v One.Tel Limited (In Liquidation) [2003] NSWSC 1228 Onefone Australia Pty Ltd v One.Tel Limited; Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Limited [2007] NSWSC 1320 Onefone Australia Pty Ltd v One.Tel Ltd [2007] NSWSC 112 Onefone Australia v One.Tel Ltd [2006] NSWSC 349 Onefone Pty Ltd v One.Tel Ltd (in liquidation) [2006] NSWSC 1434 P&O Nedlloyd BV v Arab Metals Co & Ors [2007] 1 WLR 2288 Pacanowski v Simon Wakerman [2009] NSWCA 402 Pancontinental Mining Ltd v Posgold Investments Pty Ltd and Ors (1994) 121 ALR 405 Permanent Building Society (in liq) v Wheeler (1994) 11 WAR 187 Permanent Trustee Australia v FAI General Insurance Co Ltd [2001] NSWCA 20 (2001) 50 NSWLR 679; 187 ALR 380 Phillips v Phillips (1978) 4 QBD 127 Phillips v The State of New South Wales [1999] NSWSC 681 Pickin v British Railways Board [1972] 3 All ER 923; [1973] QB 219 Pilmer v Duke Group Ltd (in liq) (2001) 207 CLR 165 Pinson v Lloyds and National Provincial Foreign Bank Ltd [1941] 2 KB 72 Porter v Oamps Ltd and ors (2005) 215 ALR 327 Power v Ekstein [2009] NSWSC 130 Protean (Holdings) Ltd (recs and mgrs apptd) v American Home Assurance Co [1985] VR 187 Rajski v Bainton (1990) 22 NSWLR 125 Ramsay v Madgwicks (1989) VR 1 Ratcliffe & Anor v V S & B Border Homes Ltd (1987) 9 NSWLR 390 Ratcliffe v Evans [1892] 2 QB 524 Re Chittenden [1970] 3 All ER 562 Regie National des Usines Renault SA v Zhang [2002] HCA 10; (2002) 210 CLR 491 Rich v Packer; Rich v Long [2007] NSWSC 1290 Rich v Long [2008] NSWSC 487 Ridout Nominees Pty Ltd v Commonwealth Bank of Australia [2003] WASCA 158 Robertson v The Zinc Corporation Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 372 Rubenstein v Truth and Sportsman Limited [1960] VR 473 Rundle v Salvation Army (South Australia Property Trust) [2007] NSWCA 443 Ryledar Pty Ltd v Euphoric Pty Ltd (2007) 69 NSWLR 603 Saad v J Robins & Sons Pty Limited [2003] NSWCA 87 Salvation Army (South Australia Property Trust) v Graham Rundle [2008] NSWCA 347 Savcor Pty Ltd v Cathodic Protection International APS (2005) 12 VR 639, [2005] VSCA 213 Scott & ors v Davis (2000) 204 CLR 333 Secured Income Real Estate (Australia) Ltd v St Martins Investments Pty Ltd (1979) 144 CLR 596 Sellars v Adelaide Petroleum NL (1994) 179 CLR 332 Sheldon v Brown Bayley's Steel Works Ld and Dawnays Ltd [1953] 2 QB 393 Southern Cross Exploration NL v Fire & All Risks Insurance Co Ltd (1986) 4 NSWLR 491 Spencer v The Commonwealth of Australia [2010] HCA 28 State of New South Wales v McCloy Hutcherson Pty Ltd (1993) 116 ALR 363 Stollznow v Calvert [1980] 2 NSWLR 749 Street v Luna Park Sydney Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 230 SWF Hoists & Industrial Equipment Pty Ltd v State Government Insurance Commn (1990) 6 ANZ Insurance Cases 61-002; [1990] ATPR 41-045; [1990] ASC 55-996 Tekno Ceramics Pty Ltd v Milat [2003] NSWCA 254 The Bell Group Ltd (in liq) v Westpac (2008) 225 FLR 1 The I.M.B. Group Pty Ltd (in liq) v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2007] 1 Qd R 148 The IMB Group Pty Ltd (in liq) v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2006] QCA 407; [2007] 1 Qld Rep 148 Tipperary Developments v WA (2009) 38 WAR 488 Tolcher v Gordon [2005] NSWCA 153; 53 ACSR 442 Trau v University of Sydney (1989) 34 IR 466 Tyrrell v Tyrrells Building Consultancy Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 416 Van Leer Australia Pty Ltd v Palace Shipping KK & anor (1981) 180 CLR 337 Vicary v State of Queensland [2009] QSC 284 Victa Limited v Johnson (1975) 10 SASR 496 Vines v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2007) 73 NSWLR 451 Wallaby Grip (BAE) Pty Ltd (in liq) v Eraring Energy [2004] NSWCA 269 Wallingford v Mutual Society (1880) 5 App Cas 685 Walter Rau Neusser Oel Und Fett AG v Cross Pacific Trading Ltd [2005] FCA 955 Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387 Wardley Australia Ltd v Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 Warman International v Dwyer (1995) 182 CLR 544 Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315 Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Limited [2007] NSWSC 1320 Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd [2007] NSWSC 1318 Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Limited & Ors [2009] NSWSC 1235 Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Limited & Ors [2009] NSWSC 321 Weston v Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd [2010] NSWSC 499 White Industries (Qld) Pty Ltd v Flower & Hart (a firm) (1998) 156 ALR 169 Whiting v JDS Engineering & Labour Services Pty Ltd [2010] NSWCA 28 Wickstead v Browne (1992) 30 NSWLR 1 Williams v Hursey (1959) 103 CLR 30 Williams v Milotin (1957) 97 CLR 465 Williams v Minister, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (1994) NSWLR 497 Witten v Lombard Australia Ltd [1968] 2 NSWR 529; (1968) 88 WN (Pt 1) (NSW) 405 Young v Waterways Authority of New South Wales [2002] NSWSC 612 Zhang v Zemin [2007] NSWSC 229 Texts Cited: Balkin and Davis, The Law of Torts (4th edn) Bernard Cairns, Australian Civil Procedure (8th edn) Cheshire and Fifoot, On Contract (1997) Degeling and Edelman (eds) Equity in Commercial Law (2005) Heydon, Economic Torts (2nd edn) Ritchie's Uniform Civil Procedure Rules (NSW) Spry, The Principles of Equitable Remedies (6th edn) The Laws of Australia Vout (ed) Torts, The Laws of Australia (2nd edn) Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Paul Gerard Weston in his capacity as Special Purpose Liquidator of One.Tel Ltd (in liq) (First Plaintiff) One.Tel Ltd (in liq) (Second Plaintiff) Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd (now known as Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd) (First Defendant) Consolidated Press Holdings Ltd (Second Defendant) Robbdoc Pty Ltd (Third Defendant) Toranaga Pty Ltd (Fourth Defendant) Cavalane Holdings Pty Ltd (Fifth Defendant) News Ltd (Sixth Defendant) Leteno Pty Ltd (Seventh Defendant) James Douglas Packer (Eighth Defendant) Peter William Yates (Ninth Defendant) Lachlan Keith Murdoch (Tenth Defendant) Peter John Macourt (Eleventh Defendant) Representation: Counsel: J Karkar QC with I Jackman SC, A D'Arcy (Plaintiffs) T F Bathurst QC, with J Elliott SC, S Nixon (First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth & Eighth Defendants) N Hutley SC with J Lockhart SC (Sixth, Seventh, Tenth & Eleventh Defendants) N J Young QC with J R Williams (Ninth Defendant)