Shephard v Robson (No 2)

Case [2015] FCA 1443


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Shephard v Robson (No 2) [2015] FCA 1443

Citation: Shephard v Robson (No 2) [2015] FCA 1443
Parties: DEREK GEORGE SHEPHARD v WILLIAM ROLAND ROBSON
File number: NSD 595 of 2014
Judge: MURPHY J
Date of judgment: 16 December 2015
Legislation: Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth)
Cases cited: Shephard v Robson [2015] FCA 1194
Date of hearing: Heard on the papers
Date of last submissions: 20 November 2015
Place: Melbourne
Division: GENERAL DIVISION
Category: No Catchwords
Number of paragraphs: 6
Counsel for the Applicant: The Applicant appeared in person
Counsel for the Respondent: Mr J Tobin
Solicitor for the Respondent: Watson Mangioni Lawyers

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

NSD 595 of 2014

BETWEEN:

DEREK GEORGE SHEPHARD
Applicant

AND:

WILLIAM ROLAND ROBSON
Respondent

JUDGE:

MURPHY J

DATE OF ORDER:

16 DECEMBER 2015

WHERE MADE:

MELBOURNE

THE COURT ORDERS AND DECLARES THAT:

1.William Robson be released from his undertaking to the Court given on 2 July 2014 not to distribute any funds received from James Roger and Stephen Hall from the sale of the property known as 53 Fairview Road, Sapphire Beach, NSW.

2.The amount of $8,577.59 being 6% of the net proceeds of sale attributable to 10/12ths of the property known as 53 Fairview Road, Sapphire Beach, NSW be declared protected moneys under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth).

3.The Respondent is to pay the Applicant the sum of $8,577.59 within 28 days.

4.Each party is to bear their own costs of the proceeding.

Note:    Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

NSD 595 of 2014

BETWEEN:

DEREK GEORGE SHEPHARD
Applicant

AND:

WILLIAM ROLAND ROBSON
Respondent

JUDGE:

MURPHY J

DATE:

16 DECEMBER 2015

PLACE:

MELBOURNE

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. I handed down reasons for judgment in this proceeding on 5 November 2015, holding (at [117]) that it was fair to attribute 6% of a 10/12th part of the net proceeds of sale of the property known as 53 Fairview Road, Sapphire Beach, NSW (“Sapphire Beach property”) to protected money outlaid by Mr Shephard to purchase his interest in that property (Shephard v Robson [2015] FCA 1194).

  2. I directed the parties to confer and to file draft minutes of orders reflecting the reasons.  The parties filed draft minutes of orders which are identical except in relation to the central question of the amount to be declared protected monies under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth).

  3. Mr Shephard proposed an order that $12,000 be declared protected monies, presumably in reliance on [116] of my reasons for judgment.  Mr Robson proposed an order that $8,577.59, being 6% of the net proceeds of sale attributable to 10/12ths of the Sapphire Beach property be declared protected monies.  I have made orders in accordance with the draft minutes provided by Mr Robson as they properly reflect my reasons.

  4. At the time I handed down my reasons I was not satisfied on the materials that all of the expenses Mr Robson proposed to deduct from the proceeds of sale of the Sapphire Beach property were properly attributable to the sale.  To address my concern I ordered Mr Robson to file a further affidavit providing up-to-date information setting out all of the costs associated with or related to the sale.

  5. Mr Robson has now filed a further affidavit sworn 20 November 2015 and I am satisfied that all of the expenses he proposes to deduct from the proceeds of sale of the Sapphire Beach property properly relate to the sale.  I am therefore satisfied that the sum of $142,959.78 is the net proceeds of the sale of a 10/12th part of that property and I calculate 6% of that sum to be $8,577.59.  I have ordered that amount to be paid to Mr Shephard within 28 days.

  6. Mr Robson also filed submissions in relation to costs and sought an order that each party bear their own costs of the proceeding.  Mr Shephard did not file submissions on costs but he too sought an order that each party bear their own costs.  For the reasons advanced by Mr Robson in his submissions an order that each party pay their own costs is appropriate.

I certify that the preceding six (6) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Murphy.

Associate: 

Dated:        16 December 2015

Details
AGLC
Shephard v Robson (No 2) [2015] FCA 1443
Case
[2015] FCA 1443
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the case of Shephard v Robson (No 2) the applicant, Derek George Shephard, sought a declaration that certain funds were protected monies under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth) and sought an order for the release of funds previously held by the respondent, William Roland Robson, under an undertaking given to the Court. The legal dispute centred on the ownership and distribution of proceeds from the sale of a property located at 53 Fairview Road, Sapphire Beach, NSW. The case followed a previous judgment where it was determined that a portion of the net proceeds of sale should be attributed to protected moneys outlaid by Shephard to purchase his interest in the property.

The primary legal issue before the Court was the precise calculation of the amount to be declared as protected monies under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth). This involved determining the correct percentage of the net proceeds of sale attributable to Shephard's interest in the Sapphire Beach property. The Court had to consider the submissions of both parties regarding the allowable deductions from the net proceeds of sale and ensure that all expenses related to the sale were properly accounted for. The Court needed to verify that the amount proposed by Robson accurately reflected the net proceeds of sale and the appropriate percentage attributable to Shephard's protected monies.

The Court, presided over by Justice Murphy, reviewed the draft minutes of orders submitted by both parties and determined that the amount to be declared as protected monies should be 6% of the net proceeds of sale attributable to Shephard's 10/12th part of the property. After considering Robson's affidavit detailing the expenses associated with the sale, the Court was satisfied that all deductions were appropriately related to the sale. Consequently, the Court calculated 6% of the net proceeds of sale, amounting to $8,577.59, and ordered this sum to be declared as protected monies. The Court also released Robson from his previous undertaking not to distribute the funds and ordered him to pay the amount to Shephard within 28 days. Both parties were ordered to bear their own costs of the proceeding.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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