Christoforidis v Cygnet Bulk Carriers SA

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Christoforidis v Cygnet Bulk Carriers SA [2002] FCA 690

ADMIRALTY – collision between two vessels – application seeking damages – maritime safety investigation into circumstances of collision – subpoena for production of documents and records relating to report produced by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau – privilege claimed on basis that the Navigation (Marine Casualty) Regulations 1990 (Cth) generally prohibit such disclosure and on basis of public interest immunity – privilege – disclosure – whether regulations prevent disclosure – whether Court is a person – public interest in administration of justice – stages of production and tender of documents under subpoena – whether divulging of information – whether grant of access is authorising disclosure of information – interpretation of law giving effect to International Code – whether provisions ambiguous

Navigation (Maritime Safety) Regulations 1990 (Cth) reg 15
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15AB

Australian National Airlines Commission v The Commonwealth (1975) 132 CLR 582 referred to

Waind v Hill and National Employers Mutual General Association Limited [1978] 1 NSWLR 372 discussed

The Sanko Steamship Company Limited v Sumitomo Australia Limited (1992) 37 FCR 353 followed

Canadian Pacific Tobacco Limited v Stapleton (1952) 86 CLR 1 cited
Hilton v Wells (1985) 157 CLR 57 cited
Commissioner of Taxation v Nestlé Australia Limited (1986) 12 FCR 257 cited
Renehan v Commonwealth of Australia [2001] NTSC 56 not followed
Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teoh (1995) 183 CLR 273 referred to

ANDREW CHRISTOFORIDIS and GEORGE CHRISTOFORIDIS v
CYGNET BULK CARRIERS SA, KYOKUTO SHIPPING CO LIMITED,
MITSUI OSK LINES LIMITED, MO SHIP MANAGEMENT CO LIMITED

N 1411 OF 2001

TAMBERLIN J
SYDNEY
31 MAY 2002

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY	N 1411 OF 2001
IN ADMIRALTY

BETWEEN:

ANDREW CHRISTOFORIDIS
FIRST PLAINTIFF

GEORGE CHRISTOFORIDIS
SECOND PLAINTIFF

AND:

CYGNET BULK CARRIERS SA
FIRST DEFENDANT

KYOKUTO SHIPPING CO LIMITED
SECOND DEFENDANT

MITSUI OSK LINES LIMITED
THIRD DEFENDANT

MO SHIP MANAGEMENT CO LIMITED
FOURTH DEFENDANT

JUDGE:

TAMBERLIN J

DATE OF ORDER:

31 MAY 2002

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.The parties and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau formulate Short Minutes of Order giving effect to these reasons.

2.The matter is listed for a directions hearing at 9.30 am on 14 June 2002.

3.The defendants and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau pay the costs of the plaintiffs.

Note:    Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY	N 1411 OF 2001
IN ADMIRALTY

BETWEEN:

ANDREW CHRISTOFORIDIS
FIRST PLAINTIFF

GEORGE CHRISTOFORIDIS
SECOND PLAINTIFF

AND:

CYGNET BULK CARRIERS SA
FIRST DEFENDANT

KYOKUTO SHIPPING CO LIMITED
SECOND DEFENDANT

MITSUI OSK LINES LIMITED
THIRD DEFENDANT

MO SHIP MANAGEMENT CO LIMITED
FOURTH DEFENDANT

JUDGE:	TAMBERLIN J
DATE:	31 MAY 2002
PLACE:	SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

1. This application raises an important question as to whether privilege can be claimed for documents on the basis of public interest immunity and under reg…