Fei v Hexin Pty Ltd

[2024] VSCA 158

SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA

COURT OF APPEAL

S EAPCI 2023 0099

JINFENG FEI	Applicant
v
HEXIN PTY LTD	First Respondent
AND
L.D.3 PTY LTD	Second Respondent

S EAPCI 2023 0109
HEXIN PTY LTD	First Cross-Applicant
and
L.D.3 PTY LTD	Second Cross-Applicant
V
JINFENG FEI	Cross-Respondent

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JUDGES:	KENNEDY, MACAULAY and LYONS JJA
WHERE HELD:	Melbourne
DATE OF HEARING:	2 May 2024
DATE OF JUDGMENT:	4 July 2024
MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:	[2024] VSCA 158
JUDGMENT APPEALED FROM:	[2023] VSC 476 (Matthews J)

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CIVIL PROCEDURE – Application for leave to appeal – Preliminary discovery – Judge ordered preliminary discovery in two categories – Whether substantial injustice to party required to make discovery if orders undisturbed – Whether applicant for preliminary discovery required to identify cause of action said to give rise to right of relief – Whether judge erred in finding applicants for preliminary discovery may be entitled to relief – Whether judge disclosed reasoning to conclusion – No substantial injustice if order for preliminary discovery undisturbed – Applicant for preliminary discovery not required to specify cause of action said to ground right of relief – No error in finding that applicants for preliminary discovery may be entitled to relief –– Judge disclosed path of reasoning – Leave to appeal refused.

CIVIL PROCEDURE – Cross-application for leave to appeal – Preliminary discovery – Judge refused preliminary discovery in one category – Whether substantial injustice to applicant for preliminary discovery unless preliminary discovery ordered – Whether judge erred in finding no relevant contractual relationship upon which right to relief could be founded – No error – Leave to appeal refused.

Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2015, r 32.05.

House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; Livingspring Pty Ltd v Kliger Partners (2008) 20 VR 377, applied. Schmidt v Won [1998] 3 VR 435; Beston Parks Management Pty Ltd v Sexton [2008] VSC 392; United Energy Limited v Energy Risk Management Pty Ltd [1998] VSC 133; Sandhurst Trustees Limited v Clarke (2015) 321 ALR 1; EBOS Group Pty Ltd v Team Medical Supplies Pty Ltd [No 3] (2012) 199 FCR 533; Optiver Australia Pty Ltd v Tibra Trading Pty Ltd (2008) 169 FCR 435; Alex Fraser Pty Ltd v Minister for Planning [2018] VSC 391; Mercantile Mutual Insurance (Australia) Ltd v Household Financial Services Ltd (Supreme Court of Victoria, Court of Appeal, Winneke P, Hayne JA and Ashley AJA, 22 May 1997), considered.

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Counsel
Applicant / Cross‑Respondent:	Mr SD Hay KC with Mr JD McKay
First Respondent / First Cross-Applicant:	Mr JP Moore KC with Mr SJ Prendergast
Second Respondent / Second Cross-Applicant:	Mr JP Moore KC with Mr SJ Prendergast
Solicitors
Applicant / Cross‑Respondent:	Boon Legal
First Respondent / First Cross-Applicant:	Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
Second Respondent / Second Cross-Applicant:	Norton Rose Fulbright Australia

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART A:. INTRODUCTION

(1).... Proposed grounds of appeal

(2).... Proposed grounds of cross-appeal

(3).... Issues arising for decision

PART B:. BACKGROUND AND…