Hi-Fert Pty Ltd v Kiukiang Maritime Carriers Inc

90 FCR 1
159 ALR 142

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(Judgment by: Branson J.)

Hi-Fert Pty Ltd
v Kiukiang Maritime Carriers Inc

Court:

Judges: Beaumont J.

Branson J.Emmett J.

Subject References:
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
whether s 7(2) of the International Arbitration Act 1991 constitutes an intrusion upon the judicial power vested in the Federal Court by Chapter III of the Constitution
whether s 7 confers on an arbitrator the judicial power of the Commonwealth.
CONTRACT
meaning of the term 'charter' in the Charter Party and the Time Charter
meaning of the phrase 'arising from' in the Charter Contract
whether claims for breach of duty and negligence 'arise from' the Charter Contract
whether s 7 of the International Arbitration Act applies to claims arising from the Charter Contract.
ARBITRATION
whether a claim under s 82 of the Trade Practices Act can be a claim arising from the Charter Contract
application of arbitration clause to causes of action arising under the Trade Practices Act
whether reference to English law in the Charter Contract excludes the operation of the Trade Practices Act
whether there is an implied term that claims under the Trade Practices Act would be settled by arbitration.
ADMIRALTY
effect of s 11(2) of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act on arbitration clause
difference between the Sea Carriage of Goods Act 1924 and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act
whether Federal Court a clearly inappropriate forum for conduct of proceedings.

Legislative References:
Carriage of Goods By Sea Act (Cth) - s 11
Sea-Carriage of Goods Act 1924 (Cth) - s 9
International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) - s 7
Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) - s 52

Case References:
Allergan Pharmaceuticals Inc. v Bausch & Lomb Inc. - (1985) 7 ATPR 40-636, referred
Akai Pty Ltd v People's Insurance Company Ltd - (1996) 188 CLR 418
Australian Building Construction Employees' and Builders Labourers' Federation v The Commonwealth - (1986) 161 CLR 88
Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes v Wilson - (1954) 94 CLR 577
Ethiopian Oilseeds v Rio del Mar Foods Inc - [1990] 1 LloydsRep 86
Francis Travel Marketing Pty Ltd v Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd - (1996) 39 NSWLR 160
Government Insurance Office (NSW) v Atkinson-Leighton Joint Venture - (1981) 146 CLR 206
H A Bachrach Pty Ltd v Qld - (1998) 156 ALR 563
Henry v Henry - (1996) 185 CLR 571
IBM Australia Limited v National Distribution Services Ltd - (1991) 22 NSWLR 466
Mir Brothers Developments Pty Ltd v Atlantic Constructions Pty Ltd - (1984) 1 BCL 80
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation v Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc. - 473 US 614 (1985)
Paper Products Pty Ltd v Tomlinsons (Rochdale) Ltd - (1993) 43 FCR 439
Philip Morris Inc v Adam P. Brown Male Fashions Pty Ltd - (1981) 148 CLR 457
Oceanic Sun Line Special Shipping Co Inc v Fay - (1988) 65 CLR 197
QH Tours Ltd v Ship Design & Management (Aust) Pty Ltd - (1991) 33 FCR 227
Red Sea Insurance Co. Ltd v Bouygues SA - [1995] 1 AC 190
Soeimany v Soeimany - (1998) 3 WLR 811
Tanning Research laboratories Inc v O'Brien - (1990) 169 CLR 332
Westacre Investments Inc v Ju$goimport-SPDR Ltd - (1998) 3 WLR 771

Other References:
Dicey and Morris, The Conflict of Laws, 12th ed., (Lawrence Collins, Ed.) Vol. 1
Dutson, Choice of Law in Tort in Domestic and International Litigation (1998) Australian Business Law Review Vol. 26, 238
Hill, The Law Relating to International Commercial Disputes, 2nd ed. (1998)
Merkin, Arbitration Law
Russell on Arbitration (1997) 21st ed.
Whincop and Keyes, Statutes' Domains in Private International Law: An Economic Theory of the Limits of Mandatory Rules (1998) Sydney Law Review Vol. 20, 435

Hearing date: 7 September 1998, 8 September 1998
Judgment date: 24 November 1998

Sydney

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Judgment by:
Branson J.

I have had the advantage of reading in draft the judgment of Emmett J. I agree with the orders proposed by his Honour and with the reasons leading thereto.