Introduction
1 On 10 June 2020, I made orders that the plaintiff (Sienna) convene and hold a meeting (Scheme Meeting) of holders of ordinary shares in Sienna to consider and, if thought fit, approve a scheme of arrangement proposed to be made between Sienna and its members (the Scheme). The background to, and the key terms of, the Scheme are set out in Sienna Cancer Diagnostics Limited, in the matter of Sienna Cancer Diagnostics Limited [2020] FCA 899 (the 10 June 2020 reasons).
2 These reasons should be read together with the 10 June 2020 reasons. I adopt the abbreviations used in the 10 June 2020 reasons. I will refer to the orders made on 10 June 2020 as the convening orders.
3 The Scheme Meeting was held in accordance with the convening orders. A resolution to approve the Scheme was passed by 98.51% of members present and voting and 99.85% of votes cast.
4 Sienna now seeks orders under s 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) approving the Scheme.
5 Since the first hearing, Sienna has filed the following affidavits:
(a) an affidavit of Jim Kompogiorgas, a client relationship manager at Link Market Services Limited (Sienna's share registry) (Link), filed on 10 July 2020 (first Kompogiorgas affidavit);
(b) an affidavit of Tony Di Pietro, Sienna's CFO and company secretary, filed on 10 July 2020;
(c) an affidavit of Andrew Michael Gaffney, a partner of Sienna's solicitors, K&L Gates, filed on 13 July 2020;
(d) a further affidavit of Mr Kompogiorgas, filed on 16 July 2020;
(e) a further affidavit of Mr Di Pietro, filed on 16 July 2020;
(f) an affidavit of Geoffrey James Cumming, a non-executive director and chairman of Sienna, filed on 16 July 2020;
(g) a further affidavit of Mr Gaffney, filed on 16 July 2020 (fifth Gaffney affidavit); and
(h) a further affidavit of Mr Gaffney, also filed on 16 July 2020, exhibiting up-to-date correspondence from ASIC, including its "no objection" letter dated 16 July 2020.
6 Consistently with the Court's practice guidelines during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the affidavits were not sworn or affirmed when they were filed. During the hearing on 17 July 2020, the deponents adopted their affidavits.
7 The hearing of Sienna's application took place on Friday, 17 July 2020 and today, Monday, 20 July 2020. The hearings took place by video using Microsoft Teams software. In advance of the hearings, an order was made pursuant to s 17(4) of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) to facilitate the hearings taking place in this way. In respect of the hearing on 17 July 2020, members of the public were able to observe, and any person wishing to object to the Scheme was able to appear, by sending an email to, or calling, my Associate at least one hour before the scheduled commencement time for the hearing. In respect of the hearing today, in addition to those methods, members of the public and any person wishing to object to the Scheme could observe or appear by dialling a telephone number appearing in the Court List and entering a conference identification number. The Court List for today's hearing stated as follows:
This hearing is for the approval of a scheme of arrangement in respect of the plaintiff company and will be conducted via remote access technology. If a member of the public wishes to observe the hearing through Microsoft Teams they must contact the Associate to Moshinsky J by telephone on +61 3 8600 3714 or by email to Associate.MoshinskyJ@fedcourt.gov.au at least one hour before the scheduled start time. If a member of the public wishes to dial in and hear these proceedings - Call + 61 2 9161 1229 and enter the Conference ID 426 800 283#. Members of the public are not to provide their name or phone number when connecting, and are to remain muted. Members of the plaintiff company who wish to object to the scheme of arrangement can join the hearing remotely by one of the mechanisms outlined above. If the person objecting wishes to appear remotely, they must either contact the Associate to Moshinsky J at least one hour before the scheduled start time, or dial in to the proceedings at least 20 minutes before the scheduled start time. Persons who are objecting to the scheme of arrangement and wish to appear will be asked to provide their name to the Court.
In the event, no person wishing to object to the Scheme sought to appear at the hearing on 17 July 2020 or at the hearing today.
8 At the hearing of the application, Mr CT Möller of counsel appeared for Sienna and made submissions in support of the application. Detailed written submissions were also provided in advance of the hearing. Mr M Oakes SC appeared on behalf of BARD1 in support of the application.
9 For the reasons that follow, I consider it appropriate to make orders substantially in the terms sought by Sienna. The statutory and procedural requirements have been satisfied (including the necessary majority and the conditions precedent to the Scheme) and there is nothing that weighs against the Court exercising its discretion to approve the Scheme.