Gong v Zhang

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON REGISTRY

CIV-2014-454-11 [2014] NZHC 2838

BETWEEN

YAOMING GONG

Plaintiff

AND

SHIJUN ZHANG Defendant

AND

Hearing:

25 July 2014

Further submissions 8 August 2014

Counsel:

J W Maassen for the Plaintiff
K I Bond for Defendant

Judgment:

14 November 2014

JUDGMENT OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE SMITH

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... [1] Background........................................................................................................................................ [3]

Issues for determination ................................................................................................................. [25]

1.     Dr Gong’s application for further discovery ..................................................................... [25]

2.     Dr Gong’s application for further or better answers to interrogatories ........................... [25]

3.     Mr Zhang’s application for further and better discovery by Dr Gong ............................. [25]

Issue 1: Dr Gong’s application for further discovery ................................................................... [26] Applications for particular discovery generally – legal principles .............................................. [26] The particular document categories sought by Dr Gong ............................................................. [32] Issue 1(a)      Categories 1 – 9 in Dr Gong’s “targeted discovery” document ........................... [32]

Category 1 – documents relating to COFCO’s authorisation to Mr Zhang, allowing Mr Zhang to represent COFCO in New Zealand............................................................................................... [40]

Category 2 – documents relating to the relationship between Mr Zhang, Mr Lin, and Mr Zhang’s

brother-in-law. .............................................................................................................................. [42]

Category 3 – documents relating to the relationship between Shanghai Shuibei Industrial Co Ltd,

its shareholders, Mr Lin and Mr Zhang’s brother-in-law or any other COFCO personnel. ........ [45]

Category 4 – documents relating to the disclosure by Mr Lin and/or Mr Zhang’s brother-in-law to

YAOMING GONG v SHIJUN ZHANG [2014] NZHC 2838 [14 November 2014]

COFCO’s management about the shareholding matter of Shanghai Shuibei Industrial Co Ltd at

CNZKICL ..................................................................................................................................... [48]

Category 5 – documents relating to matters addressed in Dr Gong’s notice to answer

interrogatories .............................................................................................................................. [49]

Category 6 – any document relating to communications with COFCO, Mr Zhang’s brother-in-law or Mr Lin by Mr Zhang between 21 October 2011 and 31 January 2014. ................................... [51]

Category 7 – any documents relating to payment from or to Mr Lin and Mr Zhang’s brother-in-law as a result of the export of New Zealand produce to China.......................................................... [53]

Category 8 – any authorisation from COFCO for Mr Lin to sign commission agreement with

CNZKICL dated 7 March 2013 .................................................................................................... [54]

Category 9 – any documents/correspondence between Mr Zhang and other parties, relating to Confidentiality and Exclusivity Deed Mr Zhang negotiated and instructed CNZKICL to sign with Chen Meifeng in June 2013 .......................................................................................................... [55]

Issue 1(b)      Additional documents relating to Dr Gong’s Interrogatories, Question No. 21 ... [56] Issue 1(c)      Mr Zhang’s bank statements showing payments to SkyCity account .................... [69] Issue 1(d)      Mr Zhang’s travel records for the period 13 – 25 August 2012 ............................ [79]

Issue 2 – Dr Gong’s application for further or better answers to interrogatories ..................... [86]

Principles relating to the adequacy of answers to interrogatories ............................................... [86] Issue 2(a)  Should Mr Zhang be directed to file a more complete answer to Dr Gong’s Question

21 (relating to payments of $120,000 made to Mr Zhang’s SkyCity account between 13 – 15 August

2012)?           .............................................................................................................................. [89]

Issue 2(b) – Should Mr Zhang be directed to…