FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v Redmond Holdings Pty Ltd [2003] FCA 946

AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION v REDMOND HOLDINGS PTY LTD (FORMERLY KNOWN AS FURNITURE DIRECT PTY LTD) ACN 095 077 035, TOOWOOMBA FURNITURE & ELECTRICAL PTY LTD (IN LIQUIDATION) (FORMERLY KNOWN AS FURNELECT PTY LTD) ACN 095 979 874, and MONTY KHOURY

Q279 OF 2001

KIEFEL J

4 SEPTEMBER 2003

BRISBANE

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.         The time for compliance with Order 6 of 25 February 2003 be extended to 5 September 2003.

2.         The third respondent, Mr Khoury, pay the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s costs associated with the hearing today.

Note:    Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

1                     In relation to the application for an extension of time, Mr Khoury did nothing until 3 August 2003, and after a reminder from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (‘ACCC’), to comply with the order of 25 February 2003.  I harbour some real doubts about whether Mr Khoury took seriously the need for timely compliance with the order.  Mr Khoury has, however, offered contrition.  I am satisfied that he is at least now aware of the difficult position he would have been in had he not taken steps to comply with the order before the expiration of the period limited for compliance.

2                     In relation to any future orders of this Court, which I hope will not be made against him, he ought to bear in mind that his non-compliance with this order within time and the need for an extension, together with my remarks, will probably be taken into account by the Court in the future. 

3                     As I have said, however, the fact that Mr Khoury did take some positive steps towards achieving compliance, even though it was towards the end of the period limited for compliance, must be taken into account.  I do not think therefore that it could be concluded that he held the orders of the Court in contempt.  In those circumstances, I think it is best to regularise the question of compliance.  I will make the order sought, namely, that the time for compliance with the order of 25 February 2003 be extended to 5 September 2003.

4                     In relation to the question of costs, the ACCC rightly brought to my attention deficiencies in the explanation offered by Mr Khoury.  The ACCC has been put in the position where it was a necessary party to the application today, and was required to put material on and appear before me to bring to the Court’s attention matters which would affect the exercise of the Court’s discretion.  In those circumstances, I will order that the third respondent, Mr Khoury, pay the ACCC’s costs associated with the hearing today.

Associate:

Dated:              15 September 2003