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2008 - 2009
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TRANS-TASMAN PROCEEDINGS BILL 2009
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
(Circulated by authority of the Attorney-General,
the Honourable Robert McClelland MP)
GLOSSARY
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used throughout this
explanatory memorandum.
|Abbreviation |Definition |
|Agreement |Agreement between the Government of |
| |Australia and the Government of New |
| |Zealand on Trans-Tasman Court Proceedings |
| |and Regulatory Enforcement 2008 |
|Hague Choice of Court |Hague Convention on Choice of Court |
|Convention |Agreements 2005 |
|Crimes Act |Crimes Act 1914 |
|EPNZ Act |Evidence and Procedure (New Zealand) Act |
| |1994 |
|Evidence Act |Evidence Act 2006 (NZ) |
|FCA |Federal Court Act 1976 |
|FJA |Foreign Judgments Act 1991 |
|FSI Act |Foreign States Immunities Act 1985 |
|Hague Child Abduction |Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of |
|Convention |International Child Abduction 1980 |
|MACM Act |Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act |
| |1987 |
|NZ |New Zealand |
|SEPA |Service and Execution of Process Act 1992 |
|TPA |Trade Practices Act 1974 |
|Working Group |Trans-Tasman Working Group on Court |
| |Proceedings and Regulatory Enforcement |
TRANS-TASMAN PROCEEDINGS BILL 2009
OUTLINE
Over time, there has been a significant increase in the movement of people,
assets and services between Australia and New Zealand, giving rise to the
greater possibility of legal disputes with a trans-Tasman element arising.
The Bill streamlines and simplifies the process for resolving a significant
proportion of these disputes. It implements into Australian law the
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New
Zealand on Trans-Tasman Court Proceedings and Regulatory Enforcement,
signed on 24 July 2008. The Bill also incorporates provisions regulating
trans-Tasman legal proceedings in existing legislation, to allow a single
point of reference for legal rules about how such proceedings are
conducted. Companion legislation has been developed to implement the
reforms in New Zealand.
The reforms in the Bill which implement the Agreement are based on the
recommendations of the Trans-Tasman Working Group on Court Proceedings and
Regulatory Enforcement. The Working Group was established in 2003 to
examine the effectiveness and appropriateness of current arrangements for
the conduct of civil proceedings between Australia and NZ, including family
proceedings and proceedings relating to regulatory matters. After
considering submissions to its 2005 Discussion Paper, the Working Group
released its final report. The Report, released publicly in December 2006,
made 10 recommendations to improve mechanisms for the service of process,
the taking of evidence, and the recognition of judgments in civil and
regulatory matters.
The central recommendation was that a 'trans-Tasman regime', modelled on
the Australian Service and Execution of Process Act 1992 which regulates
the conduct of proceedings between the States and Territories, be
introduced between the two countries. The reforms support work being
undertaken between the two countries under the umbrella of the Australia
New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Agreement.
In implementing the Agreement, the Bill will:
. allow civil initiating process issued in Australian court, and some
tribunal, proceedings to be served in NZ without leave
. broaden the range of NZ judgments that can be registered and enforced
in Australia to include final non-money judgments, civil pecuniary
penalties, and certain criminal fines for breaches of regulatory
regimes
. require Australian courts to apply a new statutory test when
considering whether they have jurisdiction to hear a matter or whether
a NZ court would be more appropriate to determine the proceeding
. allow prescribed Australian courts to grant interim relief in support
of NZ proceedings
. facilitate the greater use of technology to enable parties and lawyers
to appear remotely in proceedings in the other country, and
. build on the existing cooperative evidence regime to allow subpoenas
to be issued in criminal proceedings, and for subpoenas to be issued
without leave of a superior court.
The Bill incorporates, with minor changes, the existing provisions of the
Evidence and Procedure (New Zealand) Act 1994 and repeals that Act. The
EPNZ Act sets up a cooperative regime for the taking of evidence and
service and enforcement of subpoenas between Australia and NZ.
The Bill also incorporates the provisions in Part IIIA of the Federal Court
of Australia Act 1976, which regulate the conduct of trans-Tasman market
proceedings. Such proceedings are brought under the Trade Practices Act
1974, which prohibits a corporation with a substantial degree of market
power from taking advantage of this power to eliminate or damage
competition in any market, including trans-Tasman markets. The movement of
Part IIIA into the Bill will not affect the operation of the Trade
Practices Act, and the special rules regarding the conduct of such
proceedings will continue to apply. NZ judgments given in trans-Tasman
market proceedings will be able to be recognised and enforced in Australia
under the simplified regime in the Bill.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed Bill will not have any significant financial impact.
NOTES ON CLAUSES
Part 1 - Preliminary
Clause 1: Short title
1. Clause 1 is a formal provision specifying the short title of the Bill.
Clause 2: Commencement
2. Sections 1 and 2 of the Bill will commence on the day the Act receives
Royal Assent.
3. Sections 3 to 110 will commence on a day fixed by Proclamation after the
entry into force of the Agreement in Australia. The Agreement provides
for entry into force 30 days after notification to each other (through
diplomatic channels) by the Australian and NZ Governments that respective
domestic procedures for the entry into force of the Agreement are
complete. However, sections 3-110 will commence on the first day after a
default period of 6 months after the Agreement enters into force if the
date of Proclamation is not within this time.
4. The statement in this provision that the notice is not legislative is
included to assist readers. The notice is not a legislative instrument
within the meaning of section 5 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
Clause 3: Purpose of, and guide to, this Act
5. Clause 3 is a formal provision specifying the purpose of the Act. It
also specifies that provisions to implement the Agreement in NZ law are
in the NZ Act, as defined.
Clause 4: Definitions
6. Clause 4 contains a number of definitions used in the Bill. The
principal definitions are:
Adjudicative function - this definition reflects the definition used in
the Agreement and is based on the definition of 'adjudicative function'
in SEPA. A tribunal exercising an adjudicative function is to be
distinguished from one exercising an investigative function (for example,
conducting an enquiry), or conducting merits review of government
decisions. This definition is intended to capture the 'court-like'
functions of some tribunals, in recognition of the fact that many
adjudicate disputes in essentially the same way as a court.
Civil pecuniary penalty - this is a subset of general civil penalties.
It is a monetary fine which may be imposed according to the civil
standard of proof. By way of example, civil pecuniary penalties are
currently available for breaches of the restrictive trade practices
provisions of the TPA, the Australian Securities and Investments
Commission Act 2001, and the Corporations Act 2001.
Entitled person - this definition is based on the definition of 'judgment
creditor' in the FJA. However, it has been extended to include the Crown
in Right of NZ in proceedings for compensation relating to an offence
under NZ law. This is intended to allow the Crown in Right of NZ to
enforce reparation or compensation orders in Australia on behalf of
victims of crime, as is the practice in NZ.
Excluded matters - these matters mirror those in Article 3(1) of the
Agreement. They are excluded from certain aspects of the Bill as they
are covered by existing or proposed statutory, bilateral or multilateral
cooperative arrangements, and their inclusion under the Bill could cause
overlap and confusion. Australia and NZ may agree to exclude other
matters of this nature from the operation of specific parts of the
respective Acts. Further exclusions would be made by regulation.
Excluded family proceeding - this definition is carried over from the
EPNZ Act. Such proceedings continue to be excluded under the equivalent
NZ Act.
Proceedings in respect of an application made under the Hague Child
Abduction Convention are excluded. That Convention provides a special
regime designed to hear cases quickly, which could be undermined should
the scheme under the Bill apply to such proceedings.
The definition also maintains the exclusion of proceedings relating to
the status or property of a person who is not, or may not be able to,
fully manage his or her affairs. Most States and Territories in
Australia have guardianship boards or tribunals to deal with these
matters. SEPA facilitates the interstate service of subpoenas within
Australia, but does not facilitate the interstate service of subpoenas
issued by all State and Territory guardianship bodies (depending on the
constitution and operation of the body). It would be anomalous if these
subpoenas could be served in NZ but not interstate within Australia.
Initiating document - this includes any document by which a civil
proceeding is commenced in an Australian court or tribunal, including a
statement of claim.
Judgment - this definition is intended to be interpreted broadly and
include the range of orders made by courts and tribunals. It includes
both money and non-money judgments, which are defined separately.
Liable person - this definition is based on the definition of 'judgment
debtor' in the FJA.
Non-money judgment - includes judgments which require someone to do, or
refrain from doing something, for example an injunction or order for
specific performance.
Proceeding - this definition makes it clear that a proceeding includes
not only the main proceeding but also any interlocutory proceeding, for
example those heard in chambers.
Proceeds of crime legislation - this definition lists the legislation in
Australia and NZ under which proceeds of crime orders can be made. In
Australia this includes both Commonwealth and corresponding State and
Territory laws.
Qualified NZ lawyer - this definition clarifies that lawyers are entitled
to practise in NZ under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 (NZ).
Regulatory regime criminal fine - Article 10 of the Agreement provides
for Australia and NZ to mutually agree statutes, or parts or provisions
of statutes, under which criminal fines are imposed for the purposes of
recognition and enforcement in the other country. The Bill will list NZ
criminal fines which are enforceable in Australia, and the NZ Bill will
list Australian criminal fines which are enforceable in NZ.
The regulations will prescribe only those criminal fines which are
imposed for offences under a regulatory regime that affect the
effectiveness, integrity and efficiency of trans-Tasman markets, and in
which both countries have a strong mutual interest.
The phrase 'criminal fine' rather than 'criminal pecuniary penalty' is
used in the Bill for consistency with the Agreement.
Submissions - this definition is intended to be interpreted broadly to
include any submissions made in a proceeding in relation to evidence,
including submissions on admissibility of evidence.
Working day - this definition provides that, for the purposes of taking
action within a specified time under in the Bill, only those days when
documents can be filed in a particular Australian court or tribunal's
registry are considered working days. The number of days this allows
should take into account any public holidays in the jurisdiction of that
court or tribunal, or periods in which the registry may be closed (for
example over the Christmas and New Year period).
Clause 5: This Act binds the Crown
7. Clause 8 provides that the Act binds the Crown. However, it does not
make the Crown liable to be prosecuted for an offence.
Clause 6: This Act extends to the external Territories
8. Clause 6 provides that the Act will extend to all external Territories
of Australia.
Part 2 - Service in New Zealand of initiating documents issued by
Australian courts and tribunals
Part 2 implements Article 4 of the Agreement. It simplifies arrangements
for serving the documents commencing a proceeding in Australia on a
defendant in NZ. Most significantly, it will no longer be necessary for
the plaintiff to establish a particular connection between the proceeding
and Australia, or to seek leave of the court to serve documents in NZ.
Division 1-Introduction
Clause 7: Guide this Part
9. Clause 7 is a guide to Part 2 of the Bill.
Division 2 - Service in New Zealand of initiating documents issued by
Australian courts and tribunals
Clause 8: Application of this Part
10. Clause 8 outlines the proceedings to which Part 2 of the Bill applies.
It will apply to all civil proceedings in Australian courts and
prescribed tribunals with the exception of a proceeding that relates
wholly or partly to an excluded matter, as defined under the Bill, or an
action in rem.
11. An action in rem is a proceeding relating to the title or possession of
property, rather than a proceeding brought against a person. Such
actions typically include maritime or admiralty proceedings brought
against a ship or its cargo.
12. The provisions of Part 2 will apply to Australian tribunal proceedings
prescribed by regulation. To be able to be prescribed under the
regulations, the tribunal:
. must already have been listed in the equivalent NZ regulations for
the purposes of the recognition and enforcement of its orders (see
Part 7), and
. the initiating process in proceedings before that tribunal must
already be able to be served overseas under its rules of
procedure.
Clause 9: Service of initiating documents in New Zealand
13. Clause 9 allows initiating documents issued by Australian courts and
prescribed tribunals to be served in NZ under Part 2. An initiating
document can be served on a defendant in NZ under this Part without
requiring the leave of the court, or the plaintiff establishing a
connection between the proceeding and Australia.
14. The rules of procedure regarding service in the Australian jurisdiction
of issue will apply to service of the documents in NZ.
15. This Part is not intended to be exclusive. Documents can continue to
be served in NZ under the procedural rules of the Australian jurisdiction
of issue, or in accordance with any other arrangements for service of
documents.
Clause 10: Effect of service under section 9
16. Clause 10 provides that service on a defendant in NZ has the same
effect, and gives rise to the same proceeding, as if it had occurred in
the Australian jurisdiction of issue.
Clause 11: Information that must be given to the defendant
17. To ensure a NZ defendant is aware of the implications of being served
under Part 2, clause 11 requires that the initiating document contain, or
be accompanied by, certain information. This is designed to be an
additional safeguard for defendants, to balance the simplified process
for service of Australian initiating process in NZ.
18. The information required to be provided will be prescribed by
regulation, but will include general information about the steps that the
defendant may or must take, and the consequences of being served under
clause 9.
Clause 12: Consequences of not giving the information to the defendant
19. Clause 12 outlines the consequences of the plaintiff failing to provide
the information required under clause 11. While such a failure does not
automatically invalidate the proceeding or any steps taken in relation to
it, the defendant can apply to the Australian court or prescribed
tribunal in which the initiating document was issued for an order to have
the proceeding, or a step in it, set aside.
20. This application must be made before the defendant has taken any step
in the proceeding (for example entered an appearance), and within a
reasonable time after the defendant has become aware of the failure to
provide the prescribed information.
Clause 13: When the defendant must file an appearance
21. Clause 13 requires a NZ defendant served with an Australian initiating
document to enter an appearance in the issuing court or tribunal within a
specified time. This will generally be 30 working days after the
document was served on the defendant. However, if the procedural rules
of the issuing Australian court or prescribed tribunal would have allowed
a longer time for an appearance to be entered, this longer period will
apply.
22. The clause allows the plaintiff or defendant to apply to the Australian
court or tribunal of issue before the end of this period to have the time
made shorter or longer. The court or tribunal can make such an order if
it considers appropriate. For example, the defendant may need an
extension of time to obtain legal advice, or there may be particular
urgency in the matter which justifies a shortening of this period.
23. For the purposes of subclause 13(2), an 'appearance' is taken to mean a
document filed by the defendant in response to the initiating document in
the Australian court or tribunal. This document must comply with the
procedural rules of that court or tribunal, and state an address for
service. This address can be either in Australia or NZ, rather than
having to be in the jurisdiction of the issuing court.
24. An appearance which does not comply with these requirements may still
be accepted by the issuing court or tribunal.
Clause 14: Defendant's address for service
25. Clause 14 provides that the address stated by the defendant in his or
her appearance is to be treated as their address for service for the
proceeding. Any other document required to be served in the proceeding,
for example an amended statement of claim or affidavit, can be served on
the defendant at this address. If the defendant's address for service
changes during the proceeding, the court may direct that this new address
is to be the defendant's address for service.
26. Upon entering an appearance the defendant is taken to have submitted to
the jurisdiction of the Australian court or tribunal hearing the
proceeding. As such, documents other than initiating documents are not
required to be served under Part 2, but will be served in accordance with
the procedural rules of the Australian court or tribunal hearing the
proceeding.
Clause 15: Security for costs
27. Clause 15 allows a defendant served with an Australian initiating
document in NZ to apply to the issuing court or tribunal for an order
that the plaintiff give security for the defendant's costs, and those
incidental to the proceeding. The court or tribunal may make such an
order, and require that the proceeding be stayed until the security is
given.
28. This provision is also intended to balance the ease with which a
plaintiff is able to serve documents under Part 2. It is not intended to
limit or affect the power of the court or tribunal to make any other
order requiring security for costs.
Part 3 - Australian courts declining jurisdiction on the grounds that a
New Zealand court is a more appropriate forum
Part 3 implements Article 8 of the Agreement, which provides for a common
statutory test to apply between Australia and NZ in determining when a
court in the other country should hear a dispute. It allows a person to
seek a stay of proceedings in Australia on the grounds that a court in NZ
is more appropriate to determine the proceeding. The factors to be taken
into account when making this determination are mirrored in the NZ Bill.
Division 1-Introduction
Clause 16: Guide to this part
29. Clause 16 is a guide to Part 3.
Division 2-Australian courts declining jurisdiction on grounds that a
New Zealand court is more appropriate forum
Clause 17: Application to stay Australian proceeding on forum grounds
30. Clause 17 allows a defendant in any civil proceeding in an Australian
court to apply for an order staying the proceeding on the grounds that a
court in NZ is the more appropriate court to determine the matter.
31. This application must be made within 30 working days of the defendant
being served with the initiating document. The plaintiff or defendant
may apply to the Australian court before the end of this period to have
the time made shorter or longer. The court may make such an order if it
considers appropriate.
Clause 18: Hearing on the application
32. Clause 18 allows the Australian court to determine the application for
a stay under clause 17 without a hearing, unless a specified person
objects. This includes the defendant, plaintiff, or any other person who
is required or permitted to be served with the defendant's application
for a stay.
33. The request for a hearing must be made within 10 working days after the
defendant made the application for a stay. This time may be made shorter
or longer if the court considers appropriate on application by one of the
people in subclause 18(2), before the end of the specified period.
34. If the defendant was served with an initiating document under clause 9
of the Bill, and wishes to appear remotely in the hearing, subclause
18(4) allows the defendant and their lawyer to do so if:
. the defendant has made the request to the Australian court to
appear remotely within any time period specified by regulation,
and
. a remote appearance medium is, or can reasonably be made,
available.
This is different to the general arrangements for remote appearances set
out in Part 6 of the Bill.
Clause 19: Order of stay of proceeding
35. Clause 19 allows an Australian court to order that the proceeding be
stayed on application under clause 17 if it is satisfied that a NZ court
has jurisdiction to determine all the matters in dispute between the
parties, and is the more appropriate court to do so.
36. In determining whether the NZ court is more appropriate, the Australian
court must take into account a number of factors in subclause 19(2)(a)-
(i). The fact that the proceeding was commenced in Australia is not a
relevant consideration. Australia and NZ may agree to include additional
factors to be taken into account by the court. Any such factors would be
prescribed by the regulations.
37. Subclause 19(2)(i) makes clear that the consideration of this list of
factors is not intended to limit the discretion of the court to have
regard to any other factors it considers relevant when determining the
application for a stay on forum grounds.
38. The court can make an order staying the proceeding subject to
conditions if it considers this would be appropriate to facilitate
determination of the matters in dispute without delay or undue expense.
For example, the court may stay the proceedings on the condition that the
defendant undertakes to submit to the jurisdiction of the court it
considers is the more appropriate forum.
Clause 20: Exclusive choice of court agreements
39. If there is an agreement between the parties that designates a court or
courts in NZ as the chosen court to determine the matters in dispute,
clause 20 overrides the statutory test and gives primacy to that
agreement. In such cases the Australian court must stay the proceeding
in favour of the chosen court in NZ, unless one of the exceptions in
subclause 20(2) apply. The Australian court must not stay the proceeding
in favour of a NZ court if it is the chosen court under the agreement.
40. The approach taken to choice of court agreements is consistent with the
Hague Choice of Court Convention. The Working Group determined
consistency with the Convention to be particularly important should
either Australia or NZ ultimately decide to become a party to that
Convention.
41. Subclause 20(3) provides that an exclusive choice of court agreement
must have certain characteristics to override the statutory test. For
example, the agreement must be in writing, and must not be an agreement
in which the parties are individuals acting primarily for personal,
family or household purposes, or an agreement that is a contract of
employment. This is intended to exclude agreements between consumers, as
well as individual and collective contracts of employment.
42. The Australian court will not have to give primacy to the agreement if
it is satisfied that one of the factors in subclause 20(2)(a)-(e) apply.
This includes that the agreement is null and void (under the NZ law in
accordance to which it was made), giving effect to it would lead to a
manifest injustice or would be manifestly contrary to public policy in
Australia, or for exceptional reasons beyond the control of the parties,
it cannot reasonably be performed.
43. Subclause (a) is intended to refer primarily to grounds like fraud,
mistake, misrepresentation and duress. Subclauses (c) and (d) are
intended to apply only in exceptional circumstances. The concept of
public policy refers to the general interests of the public rather than
interests of a particular individual. It is a high threshold and does
not permit an Australian court to disregard a choice of court agreement
simply because it would not be binding under domestic law.
44. Subclause (d) is intended to cover situations where it would not be
possible to bring proceedings before the chosen NZ court. While the
circumstances need not be impossible, they must be exceptional (for
example where the chosen NZ court no longer exists). Subclause (e)
allows an Australian court to hear a matter if the chosen NZ court has
decided not to do so. This is intended to avoid the parties being
without a court in Australia or NZ to hear the dispute.
45. If a choice of court agreement falls into one of the excluded
categories, or does not meet prescribed requirements, it remains a factor
to be taken into account by the court in determining whether to decline
jurisdiction, but not a conclusive one in itself.
Clause 21: How this Part affects powers of the court to stay proceeding
46. Clause 21 provides that an Australian court can grant a stay in favour
of a NZ court on forum grounds only under Part 5. This ensures that the
statutory test is always applied as between Australia and NZ. An
application to an Australian court for a stay on forum grounds in favour
of any other foreign court continues to be determined in accordance with
any other statutory or common law principles which apply in Australia.
47. Part 5 does not affect the court's power to grant a stay of proceedings
on any other ground.
Clause 22: No restraint of proceedings
48. Clause 22 prohibits an Australian court from restraining a person from
commencing or taking a step in a proceeding in NZ on the grounds that the
NZ court is not the appropriate forum for the proceeding.
49. Restraining a proceeding in this way is known as an anti-suit
injunction. A similar but more limited prohibition of this nature
applies between the States and Territories under section 21 of SEPA. The
issue of anti-suit injunctions has the capacity to be used to circumvent
the declining jurisdiction test, and on this basis is prohibited.
Clause 23: Suspension of limitation periods
50. Clause 23 operates to preserve any limitation period a plaintiff may
have for their action which may be adversely affected by commencing their
proceeding in an inappropriate court. The recommencement of the
proceeding in the appropriate court is taken to be the time in which the
action was commenced, rather than when the proceeding was commenced in
the first court (which was deemed to be inappropriate).
51. It is intended to avoid the plaintiff being out of time to recommence
the proceeding in the more appropriate court if they commence their
proceeding in an inappropriate court at, or close to, the end of the
limitation period for their action.
52. To avoid any possible abuse of this protection, the staying court would
be able to impose a time within which the plaintiff must recommence the
proceeding in the more appropriate court.
Part 4-Australian courts granting interim relief in support of civil
proceedings in New Zealand courts
Part 4 implements Article 7 of the Agreement. The provisions allow certain
Australian courts to grant interim relief in support of NZ proceedings to
protect an applicant's rights until final judgment is given. This avoids
the need for substantive proceedings seeking resolution of the main dispute
to be commenced in Australia. The Australian court will retain control
over the interim relief, and can protect local third parties and any other
relevant local interests when deciding on the appropriate relief, if any,
to grant.
The provisions are based on section 25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and
Judgments Act 1982 (UK) which gives the High Court of England and Wales and
Northern Ireland the power to grant interim relief in support of a wide
range of proceedings in other countries.
Division 1-Introduction
Clause 24: Guide to this Part
53. Clause 24 is a guide to Part 4.
Division 2-Australian courts granting interim relief in support of civil
proceedings in New Zealand courts
Clause 25: Application to an Australian court for interim relief
54. Clause 25 allows a party to any civil proceeding commenced in NZ to
apply to a specified Australian court for interim relief in support of
that NZ proceeding. Specified courts in Australia include the Federal
Court, Family Court, Supreme Court of a State or Territory and any other
court prescribed by the regulations.
55. Reference to an 'intended party' to a civil proceeding 'to be
commenced' is intended to allow a party who has not yet formally
commenced the main proceeding in NZ to apply for interim relief in
Australia. This might occur in circumstances where, for example, action
needs to be taken quickly to preserve assets from being removed from the
Australian jurisdiction.
Clause 26: Giving of interim relief in support of a New Zealand proceeding
56. Clause 26 gives specified Australian courts power to grant interim
relief in support of a NZ proceeding if:
. it considers appropriate in the circumstances, and
. it would have had the power to, and would have done so, if a
comparable proceeding to the NZ proceeding was brought before it.
57. The Australian court may make an interim orders such as a Mareva
injunctions (which prevent a party removing assets from the jurisdiction
or disposing of them), Anton Piller orders (which prevent a defendant
destroying key material), and suppression orders (which prevent
publication of a report of public court proceedings).
58. The court will not be able to grant a warrant for the arrest of
property under Part 4. Warrants for the arrest of property are excluded
as they are a form of interim relief under the court's admiralty
jurisdiction, which carries with it an assertion of jurisdiction to
determine the merits of a proceeding.
59. For the avoidance of doubt, the NZ Bill expressly excludes discovery
from the types of interim relief that can be granted by NZ courts in
favour of Australian proceedings. It is not considered that orders for
discovery are 'interim relief' in Australia as they are final orders
rather than those made for a specific period of time to preserve the
status quo until final judgment is given in a proceeding. It is intended
that such orders, particularly discovery from non-parties, should be made
by the court hearing the substantive proceeding.
60. The court will have discretion to refuse to grant interim relief if the
fact that the court has no jurisdiction in relation to the NZ proceeding
(other than this power to grant interim relief) makes it inexpedient to
do so.
61. Clause 26(3) makes it clear that the provisions do not affect any other
power of the Australian court to grant interim in support of NZ
proceedings which may develop in the future.
Clause 27: Application of Australian court procedural rules in an interim
relief proceeding
62. Clause 27 makes it clear that, for the purposes of an interim relief
proceeding in Australia in support of main proceeding in NZ, the same
procedural rules apply as they would if the main proceeding was being
heard in Australia.
Part 5-Subpoenas
The provisions in this Part are taken from the EPNZ Act. They allow
subpoenas requiring the giving of evidence or production of documents to be
served and enforced between Australia and NZ.
Division 1-Introduction
Clause 28: Guide to this Part
63. Clause 28 is a guide to Part 5.
Division 2-Australian subpoenas
Clause 29: Application of this Division
64. Clause 29 specifies the kinds of proceedings in which an Australian
subpoena may be served in NZ under the Bill, and in which courts a
subpoena can be issued.
65. In addition to certain courts, clause 29 applies the Division to
prescribed tribunals. A tribunal may only be prescribed in the
regulations if that tribunal is a person or body authorised to take
evidence on oath or affirmation under an Australian law.
Clause 30: Service of Australian subpoenas in New Zealand
66. Clause 30 authorises service of a subpoena in NZ, provided that service
is in accordance with the requirements of the Division. The subpoena may
require the person named to attend to give evidence or to produce
documents at a place either in Australia or NZ. The place in NZ may be
one at which evidence may be given by audio or audiovisual link from NZ.
Clause 31: Subpoenas not to be served in New Zealand without leave
67. Clause 31 provides that a subpoena must not be served in NZ without the
leave of the Australian court in which the proceeding is being heard.
However, unlike under the EPNZ Act, leave is not required to be sought
from a superior court. If the proceeding is in an Australian tribunal,
leave must be given by an inferior court.
68. Subclause 31(3) makes it clear that, whatever other factors the court
takes into account in deciding whether or not to grant leave to serve a
subpoena, it must consider the significance of the evidence to be given,
or the document to be produced, and whether this could be obtained more
efficiently by other means.
69. The other matters the court may take into account may include, for
example, whether better quality evidence would be obtained by personal
attendance of a witness in the proceedings. However, the fact that the
evidence could be obtained more efficiently by other means is not
intended to mean that leave should not be granted for the subpoena to be
served in NZ.
70. Subclause 31(4) provides that the court must impose a condition about
the time in which a subpoena is to be served. This requirement is to
ensure that the person served has a reasonable time to comply with the
subpoena, or to apply for relief with respect to the subpoena. Other
conditions may be imposed, but should only relate to service of the
subpoena, or to the decision whether or not to grant leave, and not to
unrelated matters.
71. Leave cannot be given to serve the subpoena if the person named is less
than 18 years old.
Clause 32: How Australian subpoenas must be served in New Zealand
72. Clause 32 requires a subpoena to be served in NZ in the same way as it
would be served in the Australian jurisdiction of issue.
73. The subpoena must be accompanied by a copy of the order granting leave,
a notice in the prescribed form setting out the rights and obligations of
the person named in the subpoena, and information about how to apply to
have the subpoena set aside.
74. The form of this notice may be prescribed either by the regulations or
by the procedural rules of the court which gave leave to serve the
subpoena. If there is no prescribed form, the corresponding form under
the Federal Court Rules is to be used, with any necessary modifications.
Clause 33: Expenses of complying with Australian subpoenas
75. Clause 33 provides that the reasonable expenses of complying with the
subpoena are to be paid to the person served either at the time of
service, or within a reasonable time before the person is required to
comply with the subpoena.
76. The term 'expenses' is defined in clause 4, and includes costs
associated with necessary travel to a place specified in the subpoena.
Where a subpoena requires the production of a document, the sum may
include an amount to cover the cost of sending the document from NZ to
Australia. Vouchers, such as airline tickets, may be given instead of
cash for the purposes of this provision.
Clause 34: Australian subpoenas that require production
77. Clause 34 allows a person to produce the document or thing required
under the subpoena at any registry of the NZ High Court rather than
requiring it to be submitted directly to the Australian court. The
document or thing must be produced at least 10 days before the date on
which it is required in the Australian court that issued the subpoena.
78. This clause does not prevent a subpoena requiring or permitting that a
document or thing be sent by post to the Australian court which issued
the subpoena, or to an officer of the Australian court.
Clause 35: Applications to set Australian subpoenas aside
79. Clause 35 allows the person named in the subpoena to apply to have it
set aside. The application must be made to the court which gave leave to
serve the subpoena, and must contain the applicant's address for service,
which may be either in Australia or NZ.
80. The party who obtained the leave to serve the subpoena and their lawyer
must be served with a copy of the application and any other documents on
which the applicant seeks to rely.
Clause 36: Setting aside Australian subpoenas
81. Clause 36 allows a subpoena to be set aside in whole or in part on
application by the person named in the subpoena.
82. Clause 36(2) sets out the grounds on which an Australian subpoena
served in NZ which requires a person to attend at a place in Australia
must be set aside. For the purposes of clause 36(2)(b), a person's
movements may be restricted due, for example, to conditions of bail or
parol or obligations under a NZ order.
83. Clause 36(3) provides additional discretionary grounds on which such
subpoena may be set aside, including a subpoena for the production of
documents. The term 'expense' in clause 36(3)(a) is not intended to
refer solely to expenses incurred by the person served, and includes the
total cost of obtaining the evidence.
84. Clause 36(4) allows a court to determine an application to set aside a
subpoena without a hearing if neither party to the application requests.
The intention is that applications to set aside a subpoena should be
determined as simply, quickly and affordably as possible.
85. If a hearing is required, clause 36(6) allows an applicant to appear
remotely in that hearing without leave of the court. This provision
operates subject to the provisions in Part 6 of the Bill relating to
remote appearances.
Clause 37: Payment of expenses for complying with Australian subpoenas
86. Clause 37 entitles a person who complies with a subpoena to be paid all
reasonable expenses incurred in complying with the subpoena. These
expenses are to be paid either by the person who requested the subpoena
be issued, the Commonwealth if the subpoena was issued by a federal
court, or a State or Territory in any other case.
87. Clause 37(4) enables the court which issued the subpoena to make orders
to ensure that the witness receives the amount of expenses which he or
she is entitled.
Clause 38: Contravening Australian subpoenas
88. Clause 38 allows the court in which the subpoena was issued to issue a
certificate to the effect that leave was given by an Australian court and
the person failed to comply with the subpoena. This certificate can be
used in a proceeding to punish the person for not complying with an
Australian subpoena.
Clause 39: This Division does not affect other court or tribunal powers
89. Clause 38 makes it clear that the Division is not intended to limit any
other powers of an Australian court or tribunal with respect to
subpoenas.
Division 3-New Zealand subpoenas
Clause 40: Application of this Division
90. Clause 40 provides that the Division applies to subpoenas issued by a
NZ court or tribunal which may be served in Australia under the NZ
Evidence Act.
Clause 41: Service of New Zealand subpoenas in Australia
91. Clause 41 authorises service of a NZ subpoena in Australia, provided
that service is in accordance with the NZ Evidence Act.
Clause 42: Obligation to comply with New Zealand subpoenas
92. Clause 42 imposes an obligation on a person served with a NZ subpoena
in Australia to comply with that subpoena if the conditions set out in
(a) - (d) are met, including that the subpoena was served in accordance
with the law of NZ.
Clause 43: Contravening New Zealand subpoenas
93. Clause 43 provides that the penalty for not complying with a NZ
subpoena is punishment for contempt of the Federal Court, unless the
person served with the subpoena can establish that the contravention
should be excused. The clause outlines the matters to which the Federal
Court may have regard in determining whether or not a contravention
should be excused.
94. Clause 43(3) provides that a certificate under the seal of a NZ court
which issued the subpoena, stating that leave was given and the person
failed to comply, is evidence of a contravention of clause 43.
Clause 44: Documents etc. for transmission to a New Zealand court
95. Clause 44 authorises the Federal Court and prescribed State or
Territory courts or tribunals to receive documents or things required for
production under a NZ subpoena.
96. The Registrar of a court at which such a document or thing is lodged
must, as soon as practicable after the document is lodged, inform the
Registrar of the court that issued the subpoena, and transmit the
documents or things to that court.
Clause 45: This Part does not affect other powers to serve subpoenas
97. Clause 45 makes it clear that the service of a NZ subpoena on a NZ
citizen in Australia need not comply with this Division.
Part 6 - Remote appearances
Part 6 implements the reforms in Article 11 of the Agreement. The
Agreement aims to promote greater use of remote appearances through means
such as audio and audiovisual link technology to reduce the cost and
inconvenience of physically attending court in trans-Tasman litigation.
The existing EPNZ Act, to be repealed, provides for remote appearances to
be made from NZ in civil or criminal proceedings in the federal court and
specified Australian courts and tribunals, and for remote appearances to be
made from Australia in NZ proceedings. While these provisions appear to
apply to both remote appearances for the taking of evidence and the making
of submissions generally, their exact scope is unclear.
The Bill clarifies that the EPNZ Act provisions apply only to evidence-
related remote appearances as defined under the Bill. The reforms in the
Agreement apply to any other remote appearances between Australia and NZ.
They will extend to all Australian courts, and any tribunals prescribed by
regulations, but will only apply for remote appearances in civil
proceedings.
In NZ, the provisions implementing the Agreement are in the NZ Bill, while
the EPNZ Act equivalent provisions remain in the Evidence Act.
Division 1-Introduction
Clause 46: Guide to this Part
98. Clause 46 is a guide to Part 6.
Division 2-Remote appearances from New Zealand in Australian proceedings
Subdivision A - Remote appearances unrelated to remote evidence
Clause 47: Application of this Subdivision
99. Clause 47 provides that the provisions in Subdivision A apply to remote
appearances made in civil proceedings in all Australian courts, and any
Australian tribunals prescribed by the regulations.
Clause 48: Remote appearances unrelated to remote evidence
100. Clause 48 provides for a court or tribunal in Australia to give leave
for a party, their lawyer, or both, to appear remotely from NZ in a
proceeding before that court or tribunal.
101. Leave can only be granted if the court or tribunal is satisfied of a
number of matters, including whether the party or their lawyer can more
conveniently participate in the hearing from NZ.
102. In granting leave, the court is encouraged, but not required, to
specify a particular remote appearance medium to be used (either audio or
audiovisual link). The court must be satisfied that the specified remote
appearance medium is, or can reasonably be made, available. However, if
no particular medium is specified, the applicant may choose the remote
appearance medium through which to appear.
103. The court must not give leave for a party's lawyer to appear remotely
from NZ unless satisfied that the lawyer is entitled to appear in the
Australian court (for example by being locally registered or by virtue of
the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement). If a lawyer is not
entitled to appear in the Australian court, they must meet two
conditions:
. he or she must be a qualified NZ lawyer (as defined under the
Bill), and
. the party must ordinarily reside in NZ.
This allows for a person appearing from NZ to be represented by their
local lawyer in a hearing.
104. When leave is given for a NZ lawyer to appear in situations where they
are not entitled to appear before that court, clause 48(4) provides that
they are so entitled for the purposes of that leave.
Subdivision B - Remote appearances related to remote evidence
Clause 49: Application of this Subdivision
105. Clause 49 provides that provisions regarding remote evidence apply to
civil or commercial proceedings in courts and prescribed tribunals. A
tribunal may only be prescribed in the regulations if that tribunal is a
person or body authorised to take evidence on oath or affirmation under
an Australian law.
Clause 50: Remote appearances related to remote evidence
106. Clause 50 authorises an Australian court or tribunal to give leave for
evidence to be taken, submissions made, and witnesses examined remotely
from NZ in any civil or criminal proceeding.
107. The Australian court or tribunal cannot give this leave unless it is
satisfied that the evidence can more conveniently be given remotely, and
the necessary facilities for the remote appearance can be provided. This
may include consideration of the availability of the witnesses, the cost
of the witness attending in Australia as compared with using the audio or
audiovisual link facilities, the nature of the evidence to be given and
whether the credibility of the witness is likely to be an issue.
108. When leave is given for a NZ lawyer to appear in situations where they
are not entitled to appear before that court, clause 50(3) provides that
they are so entitled for the purposes of that leave.
Subdivision C - General provisions about remote appearances
Clause 51: Remote appearances by audiovisual link
109. Clause 51 provides that evidence is not to be given remotely by
audiovisual link unless both the place where the court is sitting and the
place where the evidence is to be given are each equipped with
audiovisual facilities that enable the persons in each place to see and
hear each other.
Clause 52: Remote appearances by audio link
110. Clause 52 provides that evidence is not to be given remotely by audio
link, such as by telephone, unless the place where the court is sitting
and the place where the evidence is to be given are each equipped with
audio facilities that enable the persons in each place to hear each
other.
Clause 53: Costs of remote appearances from New Zealand
111. Clause 53 authorises the Australian court or tribunal to order another
person to pay costs connected with taking evidence or making a submission
by audio or audiovisual link. This may either be initially, or by way of
subsequent reimbursement.
112. Generally the person who wishes evidence to be taken or a submission
made from NZ will be responsible for having all the necessary
arrangements made and for meeting the associated costs.
Clause 54: Powers of Australian courts in New Zealand
113. Clause 54 permits an Australian court to exercise all its powers that
NZ law permits it to exercise with respect to remote appearances. The NZ
law will enable the Australian court to exercise NZ powers similar to
those which this Bill enables a NZ court to exercise in Australia.
Division 3 - Remote appearance from Australia in New Zealand proceedings
Clause 55: People in Australia appearing remotely in New Zealand
proceedings
114. Clause 55 authorises a person in Australia to make a remote appearance
in a proceeding in a NZ court or tribunal if it is in accordance with the
NZ Act or the NZ Evidence Act.
Clause 56: Powers of New Zealand courts and tribunals in Australia
115. Clause 56 authorises a NZ court to exercise any of its powers in
relation to a remote appearance by a person in Australia, except its
power to punish a person for contempt or to enforce its judgments or
process.
116. The effect of this clause is that NZ law regulates the practice and
procedure followed when remote appearance is made by a person in
Australia in a proceeding in a NZ court.
Clause 57: Orders of New Zealand courts and tribunals
117. Clause 57 provides examples of the types of orders the NZ court or
tribunal may make that in relation to a remote appearance by a person in
Australia. It is not intended to limit clause 56.
Clause 58: Enforcement of orders of New Zealand courts and tribunals
118. Clause 58 imposes an obligation to comply with an order of a NZ court
made under clause 57 and that such orders may be enforced by the Federal
Court as if it had been made by that court.
119. A person who fails to comply with an order may be punished for
contempt of the Federal Court unless he or she establishes that the
failure should be excused.
Clause 59: Remote appearance place in Australia is part of the New Zealand
court or tribunal
120. Clause 59 provides that the place from which a remote appearance by a
person in Australia is being made is taken to be part of the NZ court or
tribunal hearing the matter.
Clause 60: Privileges, protections and immunities of participants in New
Zealand proceedings
121. Clause 60 confers certain protections and immunities on people
appearing remotely from Australia in a NZ proceeding, including judges,
barristers, solicitors and witnesses.
Clause 61: Contempt of New Zealand courts or tribunals
122. Clause 61 was included in the EPNZ Act but has been amended in the
Bill in accordance with Commonwealth drafting policy. It provides that
it is an offence for a person to engage in particular conduct at a place
in Australia where a remote appearance is being made in an NZ proceeding.
123. The fault element of intention applies to both physical elements of
conduct and result in clause 61(2)(b), (3)(b) and (4)(b). The maximum
penalty for an offence under this clause is 2 years imprisonment or 120
penalty units, or both. This is designed to allow the court maximum
flexibility in determining the appropriate penalty according to the
seriousness of the offence.
Clause 62: New Zealand courts and tribunals may administer oath or
affirmation in Australia
124. Clause 62 authorises a NZ court to administer an oath or affirmation
to a witness in Australia for the purpose of obtaining evidence remotely.
125. Section 35 of the Crimes Act 1914, which relates to false evidence, is
applied by the clause to evidence given under such an oath or
affirmation.
Clause 63: Assistance to New Zealand courts and tribunals
126. Clause 63 authorises an officer of particular Australian courts and
tribunals to be present and facilitate the proceedings at the place where
a witness is giving evidence remotely, if requested by the NZ court or
tribunal. No order, direction or other formality is required.
Part 7 - Recognition and enforcement in Australia of specified judgments of
New Zealand courts and tribunals
Division 1-Introduction
Clause 64: Guide to this Part
127. Clause 64 is a guide to Part 7.
Division 2 - Recognition and enforcement in Australia of specified
judgments of New Zealand courts and tribunals
Clause 65: When registrable NZ judgments are enforceable in Australia
128. Clause 65 provides that a judgment which falls within the scope of the
Bill can only be enforced in Australia under this Bill, and only if it is
registered in accordance with clause 68.
129. This clause operates to prevent a person from seeking to have a NZ
judgment within the scope of the Bill registered and enforced in
Australia in any other way, for example under the common law.
Clause 66: Meaning of registrable NZ judgment
130. Clause 66 outlines the range of NZ judgments able to be registered
under the Bill. This includes money and non-money judgments.
131. Certain orders from certain NZ tribunals are also registrable if they
are prescribed in the regulations. To be prescribed the order of the
tribunal must be made in connection with the performance of an
adjudicative function, and its orders must be enforceable without an
order of a court (regardless of whether it is required to be filed in a
court for enforcement purposes).
132. The regulations will prescribe specific NZ tribunals, and the types of
orders or decisions of those tribunals which will be registrable in
Australia.
133. Registrable NZ judgments also include certain judgments given in
criminal proceedings, including those which require the payment of
compensation or reparation to an injured party, or those which impose a
regulatory regime criminal fine.
134. A number of types of judgments, and judgments relating to specific
matters, are excluded in clause 66(2). A number of the excluded types of
judgments such as orders about probate, guardianship, and orders about
welfare of children, mirror the non-money judgments excluded from SEPA.
They are excluded from registration between the States and Territories of
Australia under SEPA primarily because they generally require a high
level of supervision which is unsuitable to require of a court simply
registering the judgment.
135. Any NZ civil pecuniary penalties which are not intended to be
enforceable in Australia can be excluded by regulation. The regulations
can also exclude NZ judgments relating to other matters, for example
those which are governed by existing statutory regimes.
Clause 67: Application to register NZ judgments
136. Clause 67 outlines the requirements for applying to have a NZ judgment
registered, and to which Australian court an application should be made.
Special arrangements and conditions apply to the registration of civil
pecuniary penalties, criminal fines and market judgments.
Standard judgments
An application to register a standard registrable NZ judgment may be made
to any superior court in Australia, whether or not that court would have
had jurisdiction to hear a comparable proceeding in Australia, or make a
judgment of that kind in Australia. This is intended to ensure ready
availability of courts in Australia in which judgments can be registered,
and to give an entitled person under a NZ judgment seeking to enforce
their judgment in Australia greater certainty about the court to which he
or she should apply.
A standard judgment may also be registered in an inferior court. However
such an application may be made only if that court has the power to give
the relief that is in the judgment (for example, a money judgment of a
certain value).
Civil pecuniary penalties
NZ judgments which impose a civil pecuniary penalty can be registered in
any superior court in Australia. An application can also be made to an
inferior court if that court has the power to impose civil pecuniary
penalties in Australia of the same value imposed by the NZ judgment.
Criminal fines
An application to register a NZ judgment which imposes a prescribed
criminal fine can only be made to a superior court in Australia. This
limitation is due to the sensitivity of enforcing criminal fines.
Market judgments
The Bill maintains arrangements formerly in the FCA by providing that a
market judgment can only be registered in the Federal Court. If the
judgment is a market judgment it must be treated in that way for the
purposes of registration, even though it may impose a civil pecuniary
penalty or a criminal fine.
137. Consistent with the FJA, an application to register must be made
within 6 years after the date of the judgment. If the judgment has been
appealed, the 6 year time period runs from date of the last judgment.
138. Clause 67(5) allows the entitled person to apply to the Australian
court before the end of the 6 year period for an extension of time in
which to register the judgment. The court can make such an order if it
considers appropriate.
139. The regulations under this clause may prescribe requirements for an
application such as the form it should take, or a specific way to file
the application with the court.
Clause 68: Registration of NZ judgments
140. Clause 68 requires an Australian court to register a NZ judgment upon
an application under clause 67.
Clause 69: Currency in which NZ judgments are registered
141. If a NZ money judgment is expressed in a foreign currency, clause 69
allows it to be registered by the Australian court in that currency upon
the request of the entitled person.
142. In the absence of a request from the entitled person, the judgment is
to be registered for an equivalent amount in Australian currency.
Similar to currency conversion arrangements under the FJA, the amount in
Australian dollars is calculated in accordance with the exchange rate two
working days prior to the application to register the judgment. The
regulations will prescribe the rate of exchange on that day.
Clause 70: Money judgment partly satisfied when entitled person applies for
registration
143. Clause 70 provides that if a judgment has already been partly
satisfied at the time it is registered, only the balance remaining
payable can be registered by the court.
Clause 71: Judgments only some provisions of which are registrable
144. Clause 71 recognises that a single judgment may deal with different
matters and grant different kinds of relief, some of which may not be
registrable under Part 7. For example, a judgment may require the
payment of a sum of money (a registrable provision) but also include an
order relating to the care of a child (excluded under clause 66(2)).
145. The effect of the clause is that any provisions which are not
registrable are effectively severed, and the registrable provisions of
that judgment are taken to be registrable as if they were a separate
judgment. In this way a judgment may registered to the extent that it
contains registrable provisions.
Clause 72: Setting aside registration
146. Clause 72 allows a liable person to apply for the registration of a NZ
judgment to be set aside. The liable person must make this application
within 30 working days of being given notice of the registration of the
judgment, unless the court has granted an extension of time.
147. The judgment can only be set aside on limited grounds under Part 7,
and must not be set aside on any other grounds.
148. The judgment must be set aside if its enforcement in Australia would
be contrary to public policy. Under general private international law
principles, a judgment may be contrary to public policy if it was
obtained in a manner inconsistent with the law of the country of
registration (for example by distress or undue influence), or is founded
on a law that is unacceptable to the country of registration. This is
intended to be a high threshold.
149. Registration must also be set aside if the judgment was given in an
action where the subject matter was immovable property, or the judgment
was in an action in rem where the subject matter was movable property, if
the property in question was not situated in NZ at the time of the
proceeding. This preserves the private international rule that a court
generally has no power to determine matters of title to, or possession
of, immovable property situated outside the jurisdiction of the court.
Clause 73: Notice of registration
150. Clause 73 requires an entitled person to give a notice of the
registration of a NZ judgment in an Australian court to every liable
person under the judgment. Notice must be given within 15 working days,
and in the form and manner prescribed by the regulations. The entitled
person can apply for an extension of this time, which can be granted if
the court considers appropriate.
151. The entitled person can move to enforce the judgment as soon as notice
is given.
152. A failure to provide the relevant notice is not fatal to the
enforcement of the judgment. However, if an entitled person does not
provide the notice, they must wait 45 working days to enforce it in the
Australian court. The period of 45 working days includes the 15 working
days in which the entitled person has to give the notice, plus the 30
working days a liable person has to make an application to set aside the
registration of the judgment (under clause 72), or stay enforcement
(under clause 76).
Clause 74: Effect of registration and notice of registration
153. Clause 74 provides that the NZ judgment, once registered, has the same
force and effect, and gives rise to the same proceeding by way of
enforcement, as if the judgment were given by the Australian court in
which it is registered.
154. This is subject to the 45 working day period if notification of
registration has not been given.
Clause 75: Restriction on enforcing registered NZ judgments
155. Clause 75 provides that a NZ judgment registered in an Australian
court is only enforceable if at that time it is also capable of being
enforced in another NZ court or tribunal.
Clause 76: Stay of enforcement of registered NZ judgment so that the liable
person can appeal it
156. Clause 76 allows the registering court to stay enforcement of the NZ
judgment in Australia for a liable person to challenge the original
judgment in NZ. The liable person must make an application to stay
enforcement within 30 working days, unless the court grants an extension
of this time.
157. To avoid the enforcement of the judgment being frustrated
unnecessarily, a stay granted under this clause must be made subject to
the liable person making an application to challenge the original
judgment in NZ expeditiously. The court may attach any other conditions
it considers appropriate, for example that security be given by the
liable person.
158. This clause is not intended to affect any power the Australian court
would otherwise have to stay enforcement of the NZ judgment on any other
grounds if the judgment was issued in a domestic Australian proceeding.
Clause 77: Costs and expenses of enforcement of registered NZ judgments
159. Clause 77 enables an entitled person to recover costs and expenses
reasonably incurred in the registration or enforcement of a NZ judgment.
However, this entitlement applies only to the same extent as would be
recoverable if a similar or analogous judgment was given in Australia.
Clause 78: Interest on registered NZ judgments
160. Clause 78 provides that interest on a sum of money under a NZ judgment
is payable at the same rate in Australia as would be applicable in the
original NZ court or tribunal.
161. The entitled person is required to satisfy the Australian court of the
amount payable before it is can be recovered.
Clause 79: Private international law does not affect enforcement of
registered NZ judgments
162. Clause 79 makes it clear that certain rules of private international
law in Australia which may operate to prevent recognition and enforcement
of certain NZ judgments do not affect the operation of the Part.
163. For example, a NZ judgment cannot be refused recognition and
enforcement on the grounds that to do so would involve the direct or
indirect enforcement of a foreign public or revenue law, or because the
judgment imposes a civil pecuniary penalty or criminal fine which would
not ordinarily be enforceable in Australia.
Part 8-Trans-Tasman market proceedings
Part 8 provides special rules for the conduct of trans-Tasman market
proceedings formerly in Part IIIA of the FCA. Trans-Tasman market
proceedings are proceedings brought under the Trade Practices Act 1974
which prohibit a corporation with a substantial degree of market power from
taking advantage of this power to eliminate or damage competition in any
market.
Division 1-Introduction
Clause 80: Guide to this Part
164. Clause 80 is a guide to Part 8.
Division 2- Federal Court exercising jurisdiction in New Zealand
Clause 81: Federal Court sitting etc. in NZ
165. Clause 81 enables the Federal Court to order that an Australian market
proceeding be conducted at a place in NZ if it is satisfied the
proceeding could be more conveniently or fairly be conducted or continued
there. An order of this nature may be subject to conditions. The Court
may also give judgment when sitting in NZ.
166. The Federal Court may exercise its powers in NZ, subject to NZ law,
for the purposes of Australian proceedings. NZ law will enable the
Federal Court to exercise in NZ powers similar to those which this Bill
will enable the High Court of NZ to exercise in Australia.
Clause 82: New Zealand lawyers entitled to practise in the Federal Court in
New Zealand
167. Clause 82 confers on a person entitled to practise as a barrister,
solicitor or both before the High Court of NZ, a right to practise as a
barrister, solicitor or both in an Australian market proceeding.
Clause 83: Injunctions in relation to New Zealand conduct
168. Clause 83(1) authorises the Federal Court in an Australian market
proceeding to grant an injunction restraining a person from engaging in
conduct or requiring a person to do an act or thing, in NZ. This order
can be enforced in NZ under the equivalent NZ Bill despite the fact that
it may be an interim injunction and otherwise unenforceable.
Clause 84: Service of injunctions and other judgments in New Zealand
169. Clause 84 authorises, subject to the procedural rules of the Federal
Court, service in NZ of an Australian injunction or other Australian
market proceeding judgment.
Division 3-High Court of New Zealand exercising jurisdiction in Australia
Clause 85: High Court of New Zealand sitting in Australia etc.
170. Clauses 85 permits the High Court of NZ to conduct or continue a NZ
market proceeding, and give judgment in that proceeding, in Australia.
171. 'NZ market proceeding' is defined in clause 85(2) and includes any
interlocutory orders sought in relation to the market proceeding.
172. Clause 85(4) permits the High Court of NZ when sitting in Australia to
exercise in Australia all the powers it has when sitting in NZ, except
its powers to punish a person for contempt, and to enforce or execute its
judgments or process. For example the High Court may direct that the
proceeding be conducted or continued in private.
173. Clause 85(6) provides that the Judicature Act 1908 (NZ) and the NZ
High Court Rules apply to the practice and procedure of that court in a
NZ market proceeding conducted or continued in Australia.
174. An order of the NZ court must be complied with. Contravention of such
an order is taken to be contempt of the Federal Court, and punishable
accordingly unless the person shows that the contravention should be
excused.
Clause 86: Privileges, protections and immunities of participants in NZ
market proceedings
175. Clause 86 confers certain protections and immunities on people when
the High Court of NZ sits in Australia, including judges, barristers and
solicitors and witnesses.
Clause 87: New Zealand High Court may administer oath etc. in Australia
176. Clause 87 authorises the High Court of NZ to administer, in accordance
with its practice and procedure, an oath or affirmation to a witness in
Australia participating in a NZ market proceeding.
177. Evidence given in this way is taken to be testimony given in a
judicial proceeding for the purposes of section 35 of the Crimes Act.
Clause 88: Service of injunctions and other judgments in Australia
178. Clause 88 authorises the service in Australia of a NZ injunction or
other NZ market proceeding judgment.
Division 4-Taking of evidence by the Federal Court for the High Court of
New Zealand
Clause 89: Taking of evidence by the Federal Court
179. Clause 89 permits the High Court of NZ to request the Federal Court to
obtain evidence for it for the purposes of a NZ market proceeding.
180. It enables the Federal Court to make an order to provide for obtaining
the evidence requested by the High Court of NZ.
181. Any person required to give testimony for use in NZ has the same
entitlement to the payment for expenses and loss of time as a witness
before the Federal Court.
Clause 90: Privilege of witnesses
182. Clause 90 provides that the Federal Court may not require a person to
give evidence under section 89 that he or she could not be compelled to
give in the NZ market proceeding.
Clause 91: This Division does not affect other Australian laws
183. Clause 91 provides that Division 4 is not intended to affect any other
law in force in Australia with respect to obtaining evidence.
Division 5-Miscellaneous
Clause 92: Jurisdiction of the Federal Court under this Part
184. Clause 92 confers jurisdiction on the Federal Court in matters arising
under Part 8. Subject to section 75 of the Constitution, this
jurisdiction is exclusive of the jurisdiction any other courts.
185. Prosecutions for offences against Part 8 may be brought only in the
Federal Court.
Clause 93: Contempt of the High Court of New Zealand
186. An offence for contempt was included in the FCA. In moving the
provision into this Bill it has been amended in accordance with
Commonwealth drafting policy, and to be consistent with similar offences
in the Bill (for example clause 33). It provides that it is an offence
for a person to engage in particular conduct at a sitting of the High
Court of NZ in an NZ market proceeding.
187. The fault element of intention applies to both physical elements of
conduct and result with respect to threatening, intimidating and
insulting a person. The maximum penalty for an offence under this clause
is 2 years imprisonment or 120 penalty units, or both. This is designed
to allow the court maximum flexibility in determining the appropriate
penalty according to the seriousness of the offence.
Clause 94: Reciprocal arrangements for use of court facilities
188. Clause 94 authorises the Chief Justice of the Federal Court to make
arrangements with the Chief Justice of NZ for the purposes of giving
effect to Part 8. A range of matters may be the subject of arrangements
including the use of courtrooms, registry facilities and court staff.
Part 9-Evidence of certain New Zealand matters
Division 1-Introduction
Clause 95: Guide to this Part
189. Clause 95 is a guide to Part 9.
Division 2-Evidence of certain New Zealand matters
Clause 96: Application of this Part
190. Clause 96 outlines the proceedings to which Part 9 of the Bill
applies. It will apply to all proceedings in Australian courts,
prescribed tribunals or other authorised bodies.
Clause 97: Matters of law
191. Clause 97 provides that proof is not required about the provisions and
commencement of any NZ laws, including Proclamations.
Clause 98: Evidence of New Zealand official instruments
192. Clause 98 provides that evidence of an official instrument made by the
Governor-General in Council of NZ may be adduced by producing a copy or
extract purporting to have been certified to be a true copy or extract by
the Clerk of the Executive Council of NZ, or NZ Minister.
Clause 99: Evidence of New Zealand acts of state
193. Clause 99 enables evidence of a treaty or other act of state of NZ to
be produced in a number of ways.
Clause 100: Evidence of public documents admissible in New Zealand under
New Zealand Acts
194. Clause 100 provides that a public document that is admissible in NZ
may be admissible in Australia to the same extent, and for the same
purpose, in certain circumstances.
Clause 101: Evidence of other New Zealand public documents
195. Clause 101 provides that where a public document is admissible in
evidence in NZ without proof of the seal, stamp or signature that
authenticates it, or of the judicial or official character of the person
who appears to have signed it, the document is admissible to the same
extent and for the same purpose without such proof in Australia.
Clause 102: Evidence of New Zealand documents of a public nature
196. Clause 102 provides that if a NZ document is of such a public nature
as to be admissible in evidence in NZ on its mere production, the same
may be taken to occur in Australia in certain circumstances. For
example, if it is a copy or extract purporting to be certified as a true
copy or extract by a NZ officer who certifies that he or she has custody
of it.
Clause 103: This Part does not affect other Australian laws
197. Clause 103 provides that Part 9 does not affect any other means of
giving evidence of the matters referred in the Part under any other
Australian law.
Part 10-Miscellaneous
Division 1-Introduction
Clause 104: Guide to this Part
198. Clause 104 is a guide to Part 10.
Division 2-Miscellaneous
Clause 105: Jurisdiction of federal courts
199. This clause confers jurisdiction on federal courts for matters arising
under the Bill.
Clause 106: References to repealed New Zealand Acts
200. Clause 106 provides that any reference to a NZ Act is a reference to
any Act that modifies or repeals that Act.
Clause 107: Interaction with the Foreign States Immunities Act 1985
201. This clause is included to avoid any doubt that the Bill operates
subject to the FSI Act. The FSI Act sets out the procedures relevant to
legal action in Australian courts against foreign states. The Bill will
not apply to such proceedings.
Clause 108: Interaction with the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act
1987
202. This clause is included to avoid any doubt that the Bill operates in
parallel with the MACM Act. That Act enables certain forms of
international assistance in criminal matters to be provided or obtained
by Australia.
203. It is intended that the Bill enhance the current arrangements between
Australia and NZ for the taking of evidence in criminal matters rather
than be precluded by the operation of the MACM Act.
Clause 109: Court rules
204. Clause 109 provides that any rules prescribed for giving effect to the
Bill must not be inconsistent with the Bill or the regulations.
Clause 110: Regulations
205. This clause allows regulations to be made prescribing matters required
or permitted by the Bill, or matters necessary or convenient to be
prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.