Johnston v ANZ Banking Group Ltd & Ors; Johnston v Richardson & Ors [2004] NSWSC 363

Johnston v ANZ Banking Group Ltd & Ors; Johnston v Richardson & Ors [2004] NSWSC 363

The subpoena issued lacked specificity and encompassed material rendered inadmissible by statute, thus should be set aside; post-mediation agreements evidenced in documents may be producible if not prepared for or during mediation, but the request must be made via a specific subpoena.

Parties
Plaintiff: Daryl Lindsay Johnston; Defendant: ANZ Banking Group Limited; Defendant: John Edward Star; Defendant: Stuart Karim Ariff; Defendant: David Ross Richardson; Defendant: Michelle Esther Harpur; Defendant: Ronald John White; Defendant: John Trevor Mitchell
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
04 May 2004
Procedural Posture
Interlocutory Motions / Hearing of Two Interlocutory Motions
Outcome
Plaintiff's Notice of Motion dismissed with costs. Subpoena set aside. Plaintiff to pay bank's costs.
Legal Topics
Subpoenas, Statutory Privilege, Mediation, Admissibility of Documents
Civil Procedure Subpoenas Statutory Privilege Mediation Admissibility of Documents

Case Brief

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Parties

Daryl Lindsay Johnston

Plaintiff

ANZ Banking Group Limited

Defendant

John Edward Star

Defendant

Stuart Karim Ariff

Defendant

David Ross Richardson

Defendant

Michelle Esther Harpur

Defendant

Ronald John White

Defendant

John Trevor Mitchell

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Interlocutory Motions / Hearing of Two Interlocutory Motions

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether documents produced under subpoena are inadmissible due to statutory privilege under s 15 Farm Debt Mediation Act 1994
  2. 2 Whether a subpoena lacking specificity should be set aside
  3. 3 Whether post-mediation agreements are admissible if evidenced by documents not part of the formal deed

Ratio Decidendi

The subpoena issued lacked specificity and encompassed material rendered inadmissible by statute, thus should be set aside; post-mediation agreements evidenced in documents may be producible if not prepared for or during mediation, but the request must be made via a specific subpoena.

Court Disposition

Plaintiff's Notice of Motion dismissed with costs. Subpoena set aside. Plaintiff to pay bank's costs.

Orders

  • Plaintiff's Notice of Motion dismissed with costs.
  • Subpoena issued to Mr Ireland set aside.