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Mincom Ltd v Oniqua Pty Ltd

Mincom Ltd v Oniqua Pty Ltd

Case [2006] QSC 155 26 June 2006

Injunction

Interlocutory Injunctions

Breach of Contract

Confidential Information

Balance of Convenience

Serious Question to be Tried

Contract Law

Equity

Type to search within this case.

SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND

CITATION:

Mincom Ltd v Oniqua Pty Ltd [2006] QSC 155

PARTIES:

MINCOM LTD ACN 010 087 608

v

ONIQUA PTY LTD ACN 098 250 063

FILE NO/S:

BS3894 of 2006

DIVISION:

Trial

PROCEEDING:

Application

ORIGINATING COURT:

Supreme Court of Queensland

DELIVERED ON:

26 June 2006

DELIVERED AT:

Brisbane

HEARING DATE:

19 May 2006

JUDGE:

Atkinson J

ORDER:

Application dismissed

CATCHWORDS:

EQUITY – EQUITABLE REMEDIES – INJUNCTIONS – INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTIONS – TO RESTRAIN BREACH OF CONTRACT – where contract had expired – where negotiations to renew contract had failed – whether the parties were still bound by the contract

EQUITY – EQUITY – EQUITABLE REMEDIES – INJUNCTIONS – INJUNCTIONS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES – TO RESTRAIN BREACH OF CONTRACT – where applicant seeks to restrain the respondent from using confidential information

EQUITY – EQUITABLE REMEDIES – INJUNCTIONS – INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTIONS – SERIOUS QUESTION TO BE TRIED – where confidential information includes client information and history and marketing campaigns – whether that information was in the public domain

EQUITY – EQUITABLE REMEDIES – INJUNCTIONS – INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTIONS – BALANCE OF CONVENIENCE – where the injunction sought is extremely wide – where damages are an adequate remedy – whether the injunction would have an adverse affect on third parties

ABC v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd (2001) 208 CLR 199, cited

Active Leisure (Sports) Pty Ltd v Sportman’s Australia [1991] 1 Qd R 301, cited
Bakir v Donehi [2001] QSC 414, cited
Bakir v Douehi [2002] QSC 019, cited

Bingham v 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd [2003] QCA 402, cited
Murphy v Lush (1986) 60 ALJR 523, cited
Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1986) 161 CLR 148, applied

Commissioner of Water Resources v Federated Engine Drivers’ Association [1988] 2 Qd R 385, cited
Director of Public Prosecutions v Jones [1999] 2 AC 240, cited
Douglas v Hello! Ltd [2001] QB 967, cited
Evenco P/L v Aust Bldg Cons Employees & Builders Labourers Federation (Qld Branch) & Ors [2000] QCA 108, CA No 3536 of 1999 and 3610 of 1999, 14 April 2000, cited
Fielden v Cox (1906) 22 TLR 411, cited
Formrite Pty Ltd [2005] WASC 255, cited
Garden Cottage Foods Ltd v Milk Marketing Board [1984] AC 130, cited
Iberian Trust, Ltd v Founders Trust and Investment Co [1932] 2 KB 87, cited

Imperial Gas Light & Coke Co v Broadbent (1859) 7 HLC 600; 11 ER 239, cited
JC Williamson Ltd v Lukeyand Mulholland (1931) 45 CLR 282, cited

London & Blackwall Railway Co v Cross (1855) 31 Ch D 354, cited
McNair Anderson & Assoc v Hinch [1985] VR 309, cited

Nexus Mortgage Securities Pty Ltd v Ecto Pty Ltd [1948] 4VR 220, cited
Perrey v Mordeisel Co Pty Ltd [1976] VR 569, cited

Plimpton v Spiller (1876) 4 Ch D 286, cited

Potters – Ballotini Ltd v Weston-Baker [1977] RPC 202, cited

Rapid Metal Developments (Australia) Pty Ltd v Anderson [2005]…

Grounds of appeal

[14] The appellant contends that the primary judge erred in finding that the respondent had discharged the onus of establishing the matters required under the relevant provision.

[15] It was submitted that his Honour failed to give adequate weight to the evidence of the second witness, and that the findings of fact were not reasonably open on the material before the Court.

[16] The respondent, for its part, submits that no error is disclosed, and that the conclusions reached were well within the range of outcomes available to the primary judge.

Consideration

[17] It is convenient to deal first with the question of construction, as the resolution of that issue informs the remaining grounds advanced by the appellant.

[18] For the reasons that follow, we are of the view that the appeal should be allowed in part and the matter remitted for further determination.

Continue reading Mincom Ltd v Oniqua Pty Ltd

Details

AGLC: Mincom Ltd v Oniqua Pty Ltd [2006] QSC 155
Case: [2006] QSC 155
Decision Date: 26 June 2006

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the case of Mincom Ltd v Oniqua Pty Ltd, Mincom sought an interlocutory injunction to restrain Oniqua from using confidential information after their contract had expired and negotiations to renew it had failed. Mincom argued that Oniqua was still bound by the contract's confidentiality clauses. The court was required to decide whether the parties remained bound by the contract, if the information was confidential and if it was in the public domain, and if the balance of convenience favoured granting the injunction.

The court found that the contract had expired, and therefore the parties were no longer bound by its terms. It considered that the information in question was not in the public domain, but it was not of such a nature that it warranted an interlocutory injunction. The court also noted that damages were an adequate remedy and that the injunction, if granted, would have an adverse effect on third parties. The court determined that the balance of convenience did not favour granting the injunction.

As a result, the court dismissed the application. The court held that the serious question to be tried was not sufficient to warrant an interlocutory injunction, and that the balance of convenience did not favour granting the injunction. The court also found that damages were an adequate remedy and that the injunction would have an adverse effect on third parties.

Orders

Orders of the court

Application dismissed

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.

Citations

AGLC Citation

Mincom Ltd v Oniqua Pty Ltd [2006] QSC 155

Cases citing this decision · 0 of 0 shown

No citing cases yet.

Cases cited in this decision · 21 of 21 shown

Rapid Metal Developments (Australia) Pty Ltd v Anderson Formrite Pty Ltd
[2005] WASC 255

…nd 3610 of 1999, 14 April 2000, cited Fielden v Cox (1906) 22 TLR 411, cited Formrite Pty Ltd [2005] WASC 255, cited Garden Cottage Foods Ltd v Milk Marketing Board [1984] AC 130, cited Iberian Trust, Ltd v Founders Trust and Investment Co [1932] 2 KB 87, cited Imperial Gas Light & Coke Co v Broadbent (1859) 7 HLC…
Bingham v 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd
[2003] QCA 402 Para 1

…nd North-Western Railway Co [1873] LR 16 Eq 433 at 440; JC Williamson Ltd v Lukey and Mulholland (1931) 45 CLR 282; Bingham v 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd [2003] QCA 402 at [5] [3] American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd [1975] AC 396; Murphy v Lush (1986) 60 ALJR 523; Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1986) 161 C…
Australian Broadcasting Corporation v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd
[2001] HCA 63 Para 1

…ous question to be tried and whether, if so, the balance of convenience favours the grant of injunctive relief.[3] [1] ABC v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd (2001) 208 CLR 199 at 248 [2] Wolverhampton and Walsall Railway Co v London and North-Western Railway Co [1873] LR 16 Eq 433 at 440; JC Williamson Ltd v Lukey and Mulho…
Bakir v Doueihi
[2001] QSC 414 Para 1

…curities Pty Ltd v Ecto Pty Ltd [1948] 4VR 220 at 222; Iberian Trust, Ltd v Founders Trust and Investment Co [1932] 2 KB 87 at 95; Bakir v Donehi [2001] QSC 414 at [10]; Bakir v Donehi [2002] QSC 019 at [16]; Borrie and Lowe: The Law of Contempt , 3 rd ed, pp 560-561; McNair Anderson & Assoc v Hinch [1985] VR 309…
Evenco Pty Ltd v Australian Building Construction Employees and Builders Labourers Federation (Qld Branch)
[2000] QCA 108 Para 1

…Engine Drivers’ Association [1988] 2 Qd R 385 at 390; Evenco P/L v Aust Bldg Cons Employees & Builders Labourers Federation (Qld Branch) & Ors [2000] QCA 108, CA No 3536 of 1999 and 3610 of 1999, 14 April 2000 at [48].…
Richardson v Forestry Commission
[1988] HCA 10 Para 1

…B 967. [10](1986) 161 CLR 148 at 153; see also Garden Cottage Foods Ltd v Milk Marketing Board [1984] AC 130. [11]Cf Richardson v Forestry Commission (1988) 164 CLR 261 at 274-275. [12] Plimpton v Spiller (1876) 4 Ch D 286 at 291 per Baggallay JA.…
Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia
[1986] HCA 58 Para 1

…003] QCA 402 at [5] [3] American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd [1975] AC 396; Murphy v Lush (1986) 60 ALJR 523; Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1986) 161 CLR 148 at 153-156; Shiel v Transmedia Productions Pty Ltd [1987] 1 Qd R 199 at 203; Active Leisure (Sports) Pty Ltd v Sportman’s Australia Limited [1991] 1…
Murphy v Lush
[1986] HCA 37 Para 1

…olland (1931) 45 CLR 282; Bingham v 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd [2003] QCA 402 at [5] [3] American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd [1975] AC 396; Murphy v Lush (1986) 60 ALJR 523; Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1986) 161 CLR 148 at 153-156; Shiel v Transmedia Productions Pty Ltd [1987] 1 Qd R 199 at 203; Active Lei…
O'Brien v Komesaroff
[1982] HCA 33 Para 1

…t material or on its website, or was independently known to Oniqua and could not therefore be regarded as confidential.[7] [7] O’Brien v Komesaroff (1982) 150 CLR 310 at 326.…
JC Williamson Ltd v Lukey
[1931] HCA 15 Para 1

…8 [2] Wolverhampton and Walsall Railway Co v London and North-Western Railway Co [1873] LR 16 Eq 433 at 440; JC Williamson Ltd v Lukey and Mulholland (1931) 45 CLR 282; Bingham v 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd [2003] QCA 402 at [5] [3] American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd [1975] AC 396; Murphy v Lush (1986) 60 ALJR 523; Cast…
Bakir v Donehi
[2002] QSC 019 Para 1

…4VR 220 at 222; Iberian Trust, Ltd v Founders Trust and Investment Co [1932] 2 KB 87 at 95; Bakir v Donehi [2001] QSC 414 at [10]; Bakir v Donehi [2002] QSC 019 at [16]; Borrie and Lowe: The Law of Contempt , 3 rd ed, pp 560-561; McNair Anderson & Assoc v Hinch [1985] VR 309 at 312; Commissioner of Water Resource…
[1999] 2 AC 240
[1999] 2 AC 240 Para 1

…) 31 Ch D 354; Fielden v Cox (1906) 22 TLR 411; Stollmeyer v Trinidad Lake Petroleum Co [1918] AC 485 at 499; Director of Public Prosecutions v Jones [1999] 2 AC 240; Douglas v Hello! Ltd [2001] QB 967. [10](1986) 161 CLR 148 at 153; see also Garden Cottage Foods Ltd v Milk Marketing Board [1984] AC 130. [11]Cf Ri…
Wood v Sutcliffe
11 ER 239 Para 1

…supra); Schmutter v Wlodarczyk (QCA Appeal No. 8189 of 1998) (23 July 1999) at p.6; Imperial Gas Light & Coke Co v Broadbent (1859) 7 HLC 600 at 612; 11 ER 239 at 244; London & Blackwall Railway Co v Cross (1855) 31 Ch D 354; Fielden v Cox (1906) 22 TLR 411; Stollmeyer v Trinidad Lake Petroleum Co [1918] AC…
[1975] AC 396
[1975] AC 396 Para 1

…lliamson Ltd v Lukey and Mulholland (1931) 45 CLR 282; Bingham v 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd [2003] QCA 402 at [5] [3] American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd [1975] AC 396; Murphy v Lush (1986) 60 ALJR 523; Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1986) 161 CLR 148 at 153-156; Shiel v Transmedia Productions Pty Ltd [1…
[2001] QB 967
[2001] QB 967 Para 1

…TLR 411; Stollmeyer v Trinidad Lake Petroleum Co [1918] AC 485 at 499; Director of Public Prosecutions v Jones [1999] 2 AC 240; Douglas v Hello! Ltd [2001] QB 967. [10](1986) 161 CLR 148 at 153; see also Garden Cottage Foods Ltd v Milk Marketing Board [1984] AC 130. [11]Cf Richardson v Forestry Commission (1988…
Plimpton v Spiller
(1876) 4 ChD 286 Para 1

…; see also Garden Cottage Foods Ltd v Milk Marketing Board [1984] AC 130. [11]Cf Richardson v Forestry Commission (1988) 164 CLR 261 at 274-275. [12] Plimpton v Spiller (1876) 4 Ch D 286 at 291 per Baggallay JA.…
[1932] 2 KB 87
[1932] 2 KB 87 Para 1

…the customers. [16] Nexus Mortgage Securities Pty Ltd v Ecto Pty Ltd [1948] 4VR 220 at 222; Iberian Trust, Ltd v Founders Trust and Investment Co [1932] 2 KB 87 at 95; Bakir v Donehi [2001] QSC 414 at [10]; Bakir v Donehi [2002] QSC 019 at [16]; Borrie and Lowe: The Law of Contempt , 3 rd ed, pp 560-561; McNair A…
[1984] AC 130
[1984] AC 130 Para 1

…v Jones [1999] 2 AC 240; Douglas v Hello! Ltd [2001] QB 967. [10](1986) 161 CLR 148 at 153; see also Garden Cottage Foods Ltd v Milk Marketing Board [1984] AC 130. [11]Cf Richardson v Forestry Commission (1988) 164 CLR 261 at 274-275. [12] Plimpton v Spiller (1876) 4 Ch D 286 at 291 per Baggallay JA.…
[1918] AC 485
[1918] AC 485 Para 1

…11 ER 239 at 244; London & Blackwall Railway Co v Cross (1855) 31 Ch D 354; Fielden v Cox (1906) 22 TLR 411; Stollmeyer v Trinidad Lake Petroleum Co [1918] AC 485 at 499; Director of Public Prosecutions v Jones [1999] 2 AC 240; Douglas v Hello! Ltd [2001] QB 967. [10](1986) 161 CLR 148 at 153; see also Garden C…
London & Blackwall Railway Company v Cross
(1885) 31 ChD 354 Para 1

…v Wlodarczyk (QCA Appeal No. 8189 of 1998) (23 July 1999) at p.6; Imperial Gas Light & Coke Co v Broadbent (1859) 7 HLC 600 at 612; 11 ER 239 at 244; London & Blackwall Railway Co v Cross (1855) 31 Ch D 354; Fielden v Cox (1906) 22 TLR 411; Stollmeyer v Trinidad Lake Petroleum Co [1918] AC 485 at 499; Director of Public Prosecutions v Jones […
Brien v Komesaroff
276 FCR 516 Para 1

…cation and affidavit material or on its website, or was independently known to Oniqua and could not therefore be regarded as confidential.[7] [7] O’Brien v Komesaroff (1982) 150 CLR 310 at 326.…

Legislation cited in this decision · 0

No legislation cited in this case.

CITATION:	Mincom Ltd v Oniqua Pty Ltd [2006] QSC 155
PARTIES:	MINCOM LTD ACN 010 087 608 v ONIQUA PTY LTD ACN 098 250 063
FILE NO/S:	BS3894 of 2006
DIVISION:	Trial
PROCEEDING:	Application
ORIGINATING COURT:	Supreme Court of Queensland
DELIVERED ON:	26 June 2006
DELIVERED AT:	Brisbane
HEARING DATE:	19 May 2006
JUDGE:	Atkinson J
ORDER:	Application dismissed
CATCHWORDS:	EQUITY – EQUITABLE REMEDIES – INJUNCTIONS – INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTIONS – TO RESTRAIN BREACH OF CONTRACT – where contract had expired – where negotiations to renew contract had failed – whether the parties were still bound by the contract EQUITY – EQUITY – EQUITABLE REMEDIES – INJUNCTIONS – INJUNCTIONS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES – TO RESTRAIN BREACH OF CONTRACT – where applicant seeks to restrain the respondent from using confidential information EQUITY – EQUITABLE REMEDIES – INJUNCTIONS – INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTIONS – SERIOUS QUESTION TO BE TRIED – where confidential information includes client information and history and marketing campaigns – whether that information was in the public domain EQUITY – EQUITABLE REMEDIES – INJUNCTIONS – INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTIONS – BALANCE OF CONVENIENCE – where the injunction sought is extremely wide – where damages are an adequate remedy – whether the injunction would have an adverse affect on third parties ABC v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd (2001) 208 CLR 199, cited Active Leisure (Sports) Pty Ltd v Sportman’s Australia [1991] 1 Qd R 301, cited Bakir v Donehi [2001] QSC 414, cited Bakir v Douehi [2002] QSC 019, cited Bingham v 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd [2003] QCA 402, cited Murphy v Lush (1986) 60 ALJR 523, cited Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1986) 161 CLR 148, applied Commissioner of Water Resources v Federated Engine Drivers’ Association [1988] 2 Qd R 385, cited Director of Public Prosecutions v Jones [1999] 2 AC 240, cited Douglas v Hello! Ltd [2001] QB 967, cited Evenco P/L v Aust Bldg Cons Employees & Builders Labourers Federation (Qld Branch) & Ors [2000] QCA 108, CA No 3536 of 1999 and 3610 of 1999, 14 April 2000, cited Fielden v Cox (1906) 22 TLR 411, cited Formrite Pty Ltd [2005] WASC 255, cited Garden Cottage Foods Ltd v Milk Marketing Board [1984] AC 130, cited Iberian Trust, Ltd v Founders Trust and Investment Co [1932] 2 KB 87, cited Imperial Gas Light & Coke Co v Broadbent (1859) 7 HLC 600; 11 ER 239, cited JC Williamson Ltd v Lukeyand Mulholland (1931) 45 CLR 282, cited London & Blackwall Railway Co v Cross (1855) 31 Ch D 354, cited McNair Anderson & Assoc v Hinch [1985] VR 309, cited Nexus Mortgage Securities Pty Ltd v Ecto Pty Ltd [1948] 4VR 220, cited Perrey v Mordeisel Co Pty Ltd [1976] VR 569, cited Plimpton v Spiller (1876) 4 Ch D 286, cited Potters – Ballotini Ltd v Weston-Baker [1977] RPC 202, cited Rapid Metal Developments (Australia) Pty Ltd v Anderson [2005]…