Eberstaller v Poulos [2014] NSWCA 211

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Eberstaller v Poulos [2014] NSWCA 211 Hearing dates: 26 June 2014 Decision date: 26 June 2014 Before: Beazley P; Meagher JA; Leeming JA Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: COURTS - jurisdiction - proceedings in Supreme Court to enforce settlement of matrimonial cause embodied in consent orders of Family Court - whether appeal lay to Court of Appeal - first duty of courts to determine jurisdiction - nature of proceeding to enforce settlement of dispute arising under federal law - proceeding was a matter arising under Family Law Act - prohibition on commencing appeal other than in Full Court of Family Court in Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (Cth) applied - appeal dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 98 Constitution, covering cl 5, ss 75 and 76 Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW), s 37A Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), ss 4, 117 Jurisdiction of Courts (Cross-vesting) Act 1987 (Cth), ss 4, 5, 7 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 101 Cases Cited: Blomley v Ryan (1956) 99 CLR 362 Bramco Electronics Pty Ltd v ATF Mining Electrics Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 392 Bruton Holdings Pty Ltd (in liq) v Federal Commissioner of Taxation [2009] HCA 32; 239 CLR 346 CSL Australia Pty Ltd v Formosa [2009] NSWCA 363; 261 ALR 441 Edwards v Santos Ltd [2011] HCA 8; 242 CLR 421 Felton v Mulligan (1971) 124 CLR 357 Fencott v Muller (1983) 152 CLR 570 Grace v Grace [2014] NSWCA 86 Khatri v Price [1999] FCA 1289; 95 FCR 287 Lewis v Hall [2005] FCAFC 251 LNC Industries Ltd v BMW (Australia) Ltd (1983) 151 CLR 575 Macteldir Pty Ltd v Dimovski [2005] FCA 1528; 226 ALR 773 Poulos v Eberstaller (No 2) [2014] NSWSC 235 Poulos v Eberstaller [2013] NSWSC 1509 Poulos v Eberstaller [2013] NSWSC 1849 Stack v Coast Securities (No 9) Pty Ltd (1983) 154 CLR 261 WFA v Hobart City Council [2000] NSWCA 43 Young v Lalic [2006] NSWSC 18; 197 FLR 27 Zhang v Zemin [2010] NSWCA 36; 79 NSWLR 513 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Hans Richard Eberstaller (Appellant) Lisa Ann Polous (First Respondent) Premjit Singh (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: A J L Ogborne (Appellant) M Einfeld QC with K Tang (First Respondent)