Romanovski v RCG (Aust) Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 210

Romanovski v RCG (Aust) Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 210

The Court granted interlocutory relief (reinstatement of monthly payments, injunctions regarding debt and registration, discovery orders) where the plaintiffs demonstrated a prima facie case of oppression and the requested remedies were appropriately connected to the final relief sought or required for procedural fairness, but declined relief (such as restraining removal as director) where balance of convenience did not favour it or relevance to final relief was lacking.

Parties
First Plaintiff: Blagojce (Bill) Romanovski; Second Plaintiff: Learom Pty Ltd (ACN 083 094 937); First Defendant: RCG (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 634 250 927); Second Defendant: CBS NSW (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 634 390 962); Third Defendant: CBS VIC Commercial Pty Ltd (ACN 123 772 118); Fourth Defendant: CBS Administration (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 634 250 954); Fifth Defendant: CBS Plus (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 644 459 147); Sixth Defendant: BCG (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 114 332 017); Seventh Defendant: BCG (Intl) Pty Ltd (ACN 138 809 711); Eighth Defendant: Access Equality Pty Ltd (ACN 138 809 702); Ninth Defendant: Platinum Planning Solutions Pty Ltd (ACN 618 271 257); Tenth Defendant: Johnston Enterprises Pty Ltd (ACN 637 513 332); Eleventh Defendant: Clarendon Holdings (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 657 388 648); Twelfth Defendant: Online Building Permits Pty Ltd (ACN 128 982 801); Thirteenth Defendant: Online Building Approvals Pty Ltd (ACN 128 982 810); Fourteenth Defendant: Clement Giambattista; Fifteenth Defendant: Gavin James Casey; Sixteenth Defendant: Innovative Regulatory Designs Pty Ltd (ACN 100 697 434); Seventeenth Defendant: C & R Giambattista Pty Ltd (ACN 096 578 880)
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
07 March 2023
Procedural Posture
Corporations/interlocutory Application / Interlocutory Orders Granted
Outcome
Interlocutory orders granted in part
Legal Topics
Oppression Remedies, Interlocutory Injunction, Access to Books and Records, Discovery, Director Removal
Corporations Law Oppression Remedies Interlocutory Injunction Access to Books and Records Discovery Director Removal

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Parties

Blagojce (Bill) Romanovski

First Plaintiff

Learom Pty Ltd (ACN 083 094 937)

Second Plaintiff

RCG (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 634 250 927)

First Defendant

CBS NSW (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 634 390 962)

Second Defendant

CBS VIC Commercial Pty Ltd (ACN 123 772 118)

Third Defendant

CBS Administration (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 634 250 954)

Fourth Defendant

CBS Plus (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 644 459 147)

Fifth Defendant

BCG (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 114 332 017)

Sixth Defendant

BCG (Intl) Pty Ltd (ACN 138 809 711)

Seventh Defendant

Access Equality Pty Ltd (ACN 138 809 702)

Eighth Defendant

Platinum Planning Solutions Pty Ltd (ACN 618 271 257)

Ninth Defendant

Johnston Enterprises Pty Ltd (ACN 637 513 332)

Tenth Defendant

Clarendon Holdings (Aust) Pty Ltd (ACN 657 388 648)

Eleventh Defendant

Online Building Permits Pty Ltd (ACN 128 982 801)

Twelfth Defendant

Online Building Approvals Pty Ltd (ACN 128 982 810)

Thirteenth Defendant

Clement Giambattista

Fourteenth Defendant

Gavin James Casey

Fifteenth Defendant

Innovative Regulatory Designs Pty Ltd (ACN 100 697 434)

Sixteenth Defendant

C & R Giambattista Pty Ltd (ACN 096 578 880)

Seventeenth Defendant

Procedural Posture

Corporations/interlocutory Application / Interlocutory Orders Granted

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether plaintiffs established a prima facie case for interlocutory relief including reinstatement of monthly payments, restraining removal as director, access to financial records, and discovery.
  2. 2 Whether appropriate to grant injunctions relating to incurring further debt, unauthorised use of registration/signature, and access to books.
  3. 3 Extent and manner of discovery, construction of rights to access under Corporations Act provisions.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court granted interlocutory relief (reinstatement of monthly payments, injunctions regarding debt and registration, discovery orders) where the plaintiffs demonstrated a prima facie case of oppression and the requested remedies were appropriately connected to the final relief sought or required for procedural fairness, but declined relief (such as restraining removal as director) where balance of convenience did not favour it or relevance to final relief was lacking.

Court Disposition

Interlocutory orders granted in part

Orders

  • Defendants must reinstate first plaintiff's monthly payments of $54,500, February and March payments due 15 March 2023.
  • Tenth and eleventh defendants restrained from incurring further debt in respect of Johnston Street and Clarendon Street properties.