Du Bray v McIlwraith [2009] NSWSC 888

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Du Bray v McIlwraith [2009] NSWSC 888 Hearing dates: 13/08/09 Decision date: 01 September 2009 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Barrett J Decision: Proceedings permanently stayed. Application for anti-suit injunction dismissed. Catchwords: PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW - forum non conveniens - stay of proceedings - anti-suit injunction - one party to terminated de facto relationship sues in New South Wales under property adjustment legislation - other party sues in New Zealand under several statutes relevant to property rights after termination - each seeks to halt progress of the other's litigation - need to identify whole of controversy from both proceedings - first party seeks in New South Wales relief that court cannot effectively grant or unlikely to grant - that relief available in New Zealand - aspects of second party's claims in New Zealand not maintainable in New South Wales - New South Wales proceedings are in the particular circumstances oppressive and should be stayed Legislation Cited: Domestic Actions Act 1975 (NZ) Family Proceedings Act 1980 (NZ), ss 64, 82 Jurisdiction of Courts (Foreign Land) Act 1989 (NSW), ss 3, 4 Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) s 111A Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (NZ), ss 1M, 1N, 7, 11, 15, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Property Relationships Act 1984 (NSW), ss 20, 27, 38(1)(h) Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act 1934 (NZ), ss 3(2), 3B(1) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rule 12.11(1)(b) Cases Cited: Black v Black (1991) 15 Fam LR 109 British South Africa Co v Companhia de Mocambique [1893] AC 602 CSR Ltd v Cigna Insurance Australia Ltd [1997] HCA 33; (1997) 189 CLR 345 Evans v Marmont (1997) 42 NSWLR 70 Gordon Pacific Developments Pty Ltd v Conlon [1993] 3 NZLR 760 Henry v Henry [1996] HCA 51; (1996) 185 CLR 571 In the Marriage of Dobson and Van Londen [2005] FamCA 479; (2005) 33 Fam LR 525 Kardos v Sarbutt [2006] NSWCA 11; (2006) 34 Fam LR 550 Martin v Martin [1979] 1 NZLR 97 Oceanic Sun Line Special Shipping Co Ltd v Fay [1988] HCA 32; (1988) 165 CLR 197 Voth v Manildra Flour Mills Pty Ltd [1990] HCA 55; (1990) 171 CLR 538 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Lee Francis Du Bray - Plaintiff Sarah McIlwraith - Defendant Representation: Counsel: Mr P J Livingstone - Plaintiff Dr A S Bell SC/Mr N J Beaumont/Mr D G Healey - Defendant