In the matter of IPM Group Pty Ltd [2015] NSWSC 240

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: In the matter of IPM Group Pty Ltd [2015] NSWSC 240 Hearing dates: 23 December 2014, 17 February 2015 Decision date: 18 March 2015 Jurisdiction: Equity Division - Corporations List Before: Black J Decision: Application dismissed with costs. No order restraining solicitors acting in proceedings. Catchwords: PROFESSIONS AND TRADES – lawyers – duties and liabilities – duty of loyalty – duty of confidentiality – whether duty of loyalty extended beyond termination of the retainer – whether risk of a breach of the duty of confidentiality.

PROFESSIONS AND TRADES – lawyers – application under Court's inherent jurisdiction to restrain solicitors from acting – where proceedings progressed significantly prior to application for restraint was brought – whether interests of justice now influenced by progression of proceedings – warranted declining to make order restraining solicitors from acting. Legislation Cited: - Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 233, 461 - Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 140 - New South Wales Professional Conduct and Practice Rules 2013 rr 11, 33 - Professional Conduct Practice Rules r 10 Cases Cited: - Asia Pacific Telecommunications Ltd v Optus Networks Pty Ltd [2005] NSWSC 550 - Beach Petroleum NL v Kennedy [1999] 48 NSWLR 1 - Blong Ume Nominees Pty Ltd v Semweb Nominees Pty Ltd [2013] SASC 180 - Briginshaw v Briginshaw [1938] HCA 34; (1938) 60 CLR 336 - Buick v Boesten [2013] FamCA 208 - Byrne v Production Magic Pty Ltd and Anor [2012] ACTSC 6 - Cleveland Investments Global Ltd v Evans [2010] NSWSC 567 - Colonial Portfolio Services Ltd v Nissen [2000] NSWSC 1047; (2000) 35 ACSR 673 - Cooper v Winter [2013] NSWCA 261 D&J Constructions Pty Ltd v Head t/as Clayton Utz (1987) 9 NSWLR 118 - Dealer Support Services Pty Ltd v Motor Trades Association of Australia Ltd [2014] FCA 1065 - Durban Roodepoort Deep Ltd v Reilly [2004] WASC 269 - Farrow Mortgage Services Pty Ltd (in liq) v Mendall Properties Pty Ltd [1995] 1 VR 1 - Geelong School Supplies Pty Ltd v Dean [2006] FCA 1404 - Harris v Stiefel Research Australia Pty Ltd [2013] VSC 90 - Kallinicos v Hunt [2005] NSWSC 1181; (2005) 64 NSWLR 561 - Maxwell-Smith v S&E Hall Pty Ltd [2014] NSWCA 146 - Mitchell v Burell [2008] NSWSC 772 Mitchell v Pattern Holdings Pty Ltd [2000] NSWSC 1015 - Prince Jefri Bolkiah v KPMG [1999] 2 WLR 215 - Re The Consortium Centre Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 898 - South Blackwater Coal Ltd v McCullough Robertson (a firm) (Supreme Court (QLD), Muir J, 8 May 1997, unrep) - Spincode Pty Ltd v Look Software Pty Ltd (2001) 4 VR 501 - TJ Board & Sons Pty Ltd v Castello [2008] VSC 91 - UTi (Aust) Pty Ltd v Partners of Piper Alderman [2008] NSWSC 219 - Woodgate v Leonard [2007] NSWSC 495 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Balzan Group Pty Ltd as trustee for the Balzan Family Trust (Plaintiff) Representation: Counsel: J R Clarke SC/J Williams (Plaintiffs) J T Johnson (Second Defendant) L Robberds QC (Third Defendant)