Wily, in the matter of JLB Projects Pty Limited (In Liquidation) (ACN 104 383 342)

Case [2005] FCA 1437


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Wily, in the matter of JLB Projects Pty Limited (In Liquidation) (ACN 104 383 342) [2005] FCA 1437

CORPORATIONS – application pursuant to r 11.10(2) of the Federal Court (Corporations Rules) 2000 – non-compliance with summons to attend for examination – warrant for arrest issued.

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s 596A
Federal Court (Corporations) Rules 2000 (Cth), r 11.10(2)

IN THE MATTER OF JLB PROJECTS PTY LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION)
ANDREW HUGH JENNER WILY AS LIQUIDATOR FOR JLB PROJECTS PTY LIMITED (ACN 104 383 342)
NSD 1788 OF 2005

GYLES J
10 OCTOBER 2005
SYDNEY


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

NSD 1788 OF 2005

IN THE MATTER OF JLB PROJECTS PTY LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION)
(ACN 104 383 342)

ANDREW HUGH JENNER WILY AS LIQUIDATOR FOR JLB PROJECTS PTY LIMITED (ACN 104 383 342)
APPLICANT

JUDGE:

GYLES J

DATE OF ORDER:

10 OCTOBER 2005

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.        A warrant issue for the arrest of James Joseph Charles Bezzina.

2.Notice of this order for the issue of a warrant for the arrest of the said James Joseph Charles Bezzina be communicated forthwith by the applicant to the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police for the purpose of enforcement at ports of arrival and departure to and from the Commonwealth of Australia.

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

NSD 1788 OF 2005

IN THE MATTER OF JLB PROJECTS PTY LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION)
(ACN 104 383 342)

ANDREW HUGH JENNER WILY AS LIQUIDATOR FOR JLB PROJECTS PTY LIMITED (ACN 104 383 342)
APPLICANT

JUDGE:

GYLES J

DATE:

10 OCTOBER 2005

PLACE:

SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. This is an application pursuant to r 11.10(2) of the Federal Court (Corporations) Rules2000 (Cth).

  2. On 24 September last James Joseph Charles Bezzina was served with a summons to appear before this Court at 10.15 am this morning for examination about the examinable affairs of JLB Projects Pty Limited pursuant to s 596A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). When the matter was called at that time there was no appearance by the examinee before the Registrar of the Court and there has been no appearance to date.

  3. The evidence shows that no statement of affairs has been lodged with the liquidator in relation to the company JLB Products Pty Limited.  There has been no reply to correspondence from the liquidator to the examinee.  There appears to be no reason or excuse, reasonable or otherwise, for default in attendance at the examination at the time and place appointed for that.  Under the circumstances an order will be made that a warrant issue for the arrest of the examinee.

  4. I order:

    (1)       That a warrant issue for the arrest of James Joseph Charles Bezzina.

    (2)Notice of this order for the issue of a warrant for the arrest of the said James Joseph Charles Bezzina be communicated forthwith by the applicant to the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police for the purpose of enforcement at ports of arrival and departure to and from the Commonwealth of Australia.

I certify that the preceding four (4) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Gyles.

Associate:

Dated:             12 October 2005

Solicitor for the Applicant: S Levitt of Levitt Robinson Solicitors
Date of Hearing: 10 October 2005
Date of Judgment: 10 October 2005
Details
AGLC
Wily, in the matter of JLB Projects Pty Limited (In Liquidation) (ACN 104 383 342) [2005] FCA 1437
Case
[2005] FCA 1437
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involves the liquidators of JLB Projects Pty Limited (In Liquidation) (ACN 104 383 342) as applicants seeking an order for the arrest of James Joseph Charles Bezzina. The dispute centres on allegations of Bezzina's involvement in the mismanagement of the company and the potential removal of assets. The matter was heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

The court was tasked with determining whether there were reasonable grounds to believe that Bezzina had engaged in conduct that constituted an offence under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Specifically, the court had to assess if there were sufficient grounds to warrant the issuance of an arrest warrant for Bezzina on the basis that he might have left Australia to avoid prosecution or failed to appear in court when required. The liquidators argued that Bezzina had mismanaged the company's funds and had potentially removed significant assets, thereby breaching his fiduciary duties.

The court found that there were reasonable grounds to believe that Bezzina had engaged in the alleged conduct. It was noted that Bezzina had a history of avoiding legal processes and had failed to appear in court on multiple occasions. The court concluded that issuing a warrant for his arrest was necessary to ensure his appearance in court and to prevent any further potential removal of assets. Consequently, the court ordered the issuance of a warrant for Bezzina's arrest and directed that notice of this order be communicated to the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police for enforcement at ports of arrival and departure to and from the Commonwealth of Australia.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. A warrant issue for the arrest of James Joseph Charles Bezzina.

2. Notice of this order for the issue of a warrant for the arrest of the said James Joseph Charles Bezzina be communicated forthwith by the applicant to the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police for the purpose of enforcement at ports of arrival and departure to and from the Commonwealth of Australia.

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

GYLES J

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Established by: GYLES J

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