Fitzwood Pty Ltd (ACN 005 180 163) v Unique Goal Pty Ltd

THE COURT: 1 This is a motion by the second and third respondents and first and second cross‑appellants for an order that the dates set for the hearing of the appeal and cross-appeal in this matter be vacated. 2 After hearing submissions from the numerous parties to the appeal and cross‑appeal we now provide short reasons for our decision that the motion should be dismissed. 3 The first point to make is that, in the interests of the due administration of justice, the conduct of business in this Court requires the most efficient use of court time to be striven for by all parties. After the usual callover proceeding conducted by the Court several months ago the matter was set down for hearing over four days in the appeal sittings of the Court to be held in Melbourne in August. Three Judges of the Court have set aside time to hear the appeal. At the callover hearing consideration was given to convenience of parties and their counsel as advised to the Court at the time of the callover. 4 Good cause must be shown before days allocated for the hearing of an appeal, perhaps at the expense of the hearing of another appeal, should be vacated. This must be particularly so where the party seeking to vacate the dates is the respondent to the appeal. There is an overriding public interest in the proper use of the court time and in there being finality in judicial process resolving the disputes of parties and determining their rights. 5 The material placed before the Court relates to matters personal to the third respondent, and those circumstances do not appear to involve exigencies that outweigh the usual considerations in such applications. The third respondent is not required to appear on the appeal. Counsel has been instructed and there is adequate time between now and the hearing of the appeal for the third respondent to continue to give instructions to counsel, notwithstanding any limitations in that regard that the third respondent may now be experiencing. Furthermore, all other parties - and there are a number of them - oppose the vacating of the trial dates. 6 Having duly considered the motion and its supporting material we are of the view that the considerations raised by the second and third respondents, do not suggest that the due administration of justice would be served if the dates for the hearing of the appeal were vacated. We are also satisfied that there is no real risk that any injustice or prejudice would be caused to the second and third respondents so as to make it inequitable for the appeal to be heard on the set dates. For these reasons the motion will be dismissed, with costs. I certify that the preceding six (6) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justices Lee, Drummond & Kiefel.