Lara-Benjamin Pty Ltd & Ors v Ampol Road Pantry Pty Ltd & Ors [1997] FCA 466

Lara-Benjamin Pty Ltd & Ors v Ampol Road Pantry Pty Ltd & Ors [1997] FCA 466

The subpoenas, insofar as they seek classes of documents (x) and (xi), are not for a legitimate forensic purpose relating to the pleaded issues but instead constitute a fishing expedition. Accordingly, production of these classes is not permitted. Non-parties are entitled to their reasonable costs and compensation...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
First Applicant: LARA-BENJAMIN PTY LTD (ACN 060 040 520); Second Applicant: RONALD NOEL GORMAN; Second Applicant: SUZANNE ELIZABETH GORMAN; Third Applicant: NOEL ARTHUR GORMAN; Third Applicant: NOLA KATHLEEN GORMAN; Respondent: AMPOL ROAD PANTRY PTY LTD (ACN 008 543 360); Cross Claimant: AMPOL ROAD PANTRY PTY LTD (ACN 008 543 360); First Cross Respondent: LARA-BENJAMIN PTY LTD (ACN 060 040 520); Second Cross Respondent: RONALD NOEL GORMAN; Second Cross Respondent: SUZANNE ELIZABETH GORMAN; Third Cross Respondent: NOEL ARTHUR GORMAN; Third Cross Respondent: NOLA KATHLEEN GORMAN; Non Party (subpoena Recipient): Australian Franchise Association Ltd; Non Party (subpoena Recipient): AFA Facilitation Pty Ltd
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
29 May 1997
Procedural Posture
Notice of Motion (interlocutory) to Set Aside Subpoena / Interlocutory, Subpoenas Returned Prior to Hearing, Interlocutory Steps Not Complete
Outcome
Notice of motion dismissed; costs and compensation ordered; opportunity to claim privilege given
Legal Topics
Subpoena, Discovery (third Party), Legal Professional Privilege, Costs
Civil Procedure Subpoena Discovery (third Party) Legal Professional Privilege Costs

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Parties

LARA-BENJAMIN PTY LTD (ACN 060 040 520)

First Applicant

RONALD NOEL GORMAN

Second Applicant

SUZANNE ELIZABETH GORMAN

Second Applicant

NOEL ARTHUR GORMAN

Third Applicant

NOLA KATHLEEN GORMAN

Third Applicant

AMPOL ROAD PANTRY PTY LTD (ACN 008 543 360)

Respondent

AMPOL ROAD PANTRY PTY LTD (ACN 008 543 360)

Cross Claimant

LARA-BENJAMIN PTY LTD (ACN 060 040 520)

First Cross Respondent

RONALD NOEL GORMAN

Second Cross Respondent

SUZANNE ELIZABETH GORMAN

Second Cross Respondent

NOEL ARTHUR GORMAN

Third Cross Respondent

NOLA KATHLEEN GORMAN

Third Cross Respondent

Australian Franchise Association Ltd

Non Party (subpoena Recipient)

AFA Facilitation Pty Ltd

Non Party (subpoena Recipient)

Procedural Posture

Notice of Motion (interlocutory) to Set Aside Subpoena / Interlocutory, Subpoenas Returned Prior to Hearing, Interlocutory Steps Not Complete

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether subpoenas to non-parties should be set aside as oppressive or improper
  2. 2 Whether certain classes of documents should be produced
  3. 3 Entitlement of non-parties to costs and compensation for compliance with subpoena

Ratio Decidendi

The subpoenas, insofar as they seek classes of documents (x) and (xi), are not for a legitimate forensic purpose relating to the pleaded issues but instead constitute a fishing expedition. Accordingly, production of these classes is not permitted. Non-parties are entitled to their reasonable costs and compensation for compliance, and may assert claims of legal professional privilege.

Court Disposition

Notice of motion dismissed; costs and compensation ordered; opportunity to claim privilege given

Orders

  • The notice of motion is dismissed.
  • The respondent must pay each of Australian Franchise Association Ltd and AFA Facilitation Pty Ltd's costs of and incidental to their notice of motion.