Courts

Courts and judgments

Recent published judgments from the courts that serve Sydney, alongside the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia.

These are links to judgments published by the courts. We link to the official record and do not reproduce judgment text.

Federal Court of Australia

Da Silva v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Notice to Produce) [2026] FCA 838

[2026] FCA 838 · Decided 29 June 2026

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – notices to produce – where the respondent applied to set aside a paragraph of a notice to produce served by the applicant – where the respondent contended the paragraph had no legitimate forensic purpose – where the documents called for by the paragraph would be relevant to issues in the proceeding – held: application to set aside the paragraph refused, although amending i

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Goyal, in the matter of Ultra Commerce Holdings (Administrators Appointed) [2026] FCA 821

[2026] FCA 821 · Decided 29 June 2026

CORPORATIONS – application by administrators under ss 65-45 and 90-15 of the Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations) for relief nunc pro tunc from compliance with the requirement to maintain separate administration bank accounts for each company under administration – where consolidated financial and reporting group – where intermingled accounts – efficiency and cost reduction in the administr

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Scott (Administrator), in the matter of Brookhollow Investments Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) [2026] FCA 822

[2026] FCA 822 · Decided 29 June 2026

CORPORATIONS – application to duty judge for direction under s 90-15 of the Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations) that liquidators are justified in admitting a proof of debt – where liquidator in a position of conflict – where basis of urgency involves the loss of a potential tax benefit – application not urgent – matter referred for allocation to docket judge

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Scott (Administrator), in the matter of Brookhollow Investments Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (No 2) [2026] FCA 833

[2026] FCA 833 · Decided 29 June 2026

CORPORATIONS – application by liquidators under s 90-15 of the Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations) for a direction that they are justified in admitting a proof of debt – where one liquidator in a position of conflict – reasonable basis for the liquidators’ proposal – notice to Australian Securities and Investments Commission with liberty to apply – application granted COSTS – liquidators t

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

DJB24 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2026] FCA 836

[2026] FCA 836 · Decided 29 June 2026

MIGRATION – appeal from a judgment of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) upholding decision of Tribunal refusing protection visa application – where appeal obviously without merit – where the appellant has failed to communicate with the Court – where the respondent gave notice to the appellant by email that it would seek an order for dismissal under r 36.74(1)(c) of the

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Larmar v Commissioner of Taxation [2026] FCA 826

[2026] FCA 826 · Decided 28 June 2026

TAXATION — Taxation Appeal — Where the individual Applicant ran property syndicates — Where the Commissioner of Taxation (Commissioner) determined additional income from those property syndicates was assessable as ordinary income or personal services income to the individual — Where the additional income included management fees, brokerage fees, success fees, and project management consultancy fee

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Ogbonna, in the matter of Ogbonna [2026] FCA 835

[2026] FCA 835 · Decided 28 June 2026

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for leave to institute proceedings subject to a vexatious proceedings order pursuant to s 37AO of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – where affidavits do not comply with s 37AR(3) – where proposed proceedings are vexatious – application dismissed

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Actgall Pty Ltd (in liq) v Morella (No 2) [2026] FCA 827

[2026] FCA 827 · Decided 26 June 2026

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – where default judgment entering money judgment previously granted –where interlocutory application to set aside default judgment filed ten months later – whether default judgment given not in the absence of a party is interlocutory or final – where set aside application not pressed at hearing – application dismissed and indemnity costs ordered against first defendant

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Haywood v Comcare [2026] FCA 773

[2026] FCA 773 · Decided 26 June 2026

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for an extension of time to appeal a decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal – Tribunal dismissed applicant’s claims under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) – exceptional delay – inadequate explanation of delay – insufficient prospects on appeal – inference of prejudice – public interest in finality of litigation – application d

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Chang v Loebenstein (Trustee), in the matter of the bankrupt estate of Chang [2026] FCA 814

[2026] FCA 814 · Decided 26 June 2026

BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY – application for annulment by the Court – whether sequestration order ought not to have been made – no evidence of solvency – no other basis for annulment identified – application dismissed

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Singh v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2026] FCA 828

[2026] FCA 828 · Decided 26 June 2026

MIGRATION — appeal dismissed — no question of principle

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Hassen v State of New South Wales [2026] FCA 812

[2026] FCA 812 · Decided 26 June 2026

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for leave to file further amended originating application and further amended statement of claim – whether viable claims of direct discrimination pursuant to section 9(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) pleaded or capable of being pleaded – where some claims found to be adequately pleaded, and others not – whether there would be non-compliance with

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Page v Conneely, in the matter of Shyzi Pty Ltd (ASIC register) [2026] FCA 820

[2026] FCA 820 · Decided 26 June 2026

CORPORATIONS – application to rectify ASIC register – where ASIC register recorded purported appointments of directors and company secretaries – where Court previously found appointments invalid under company constitution – whether power under s 1322(4)(b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) engaged – whether no substantial injustice under s 1322(6). Held: orders made.

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

CEV18 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2026] FCA 829

[2026] FCA 829 · Decided 26 June 2026

MIGRATION — appeal dismissed — no question of principle

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Vize v Whistle Funds Management Company Pty Ltd [2026] FCA 831

[2026] FCA 831 · Decided 26 June 2026

INDUSTRIAL LAW – where applicant was initially engaged in 2012 as an independent contractor — whether applicant was engaged as an independent contractor or employee from July 2017 when undertaking role as Fund Manager or from April 2021 when appointed as Managing Director – whether changes to role and fees payable to the applicant gave rise to variation of original contract or its recission – whet

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Kelly, in the matter of Liberty Bell Bay Pty Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed) (Administrators Appointed) [2026] FCA 823

[2026] FCA 823 · Decided 26 June 2026

CORPORATIONS – application by administrators under s 447A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for relief from personal liability arising under s 443A of the Corporations Act – where funding arrangements to maintain the Company’s business as a going concern – application granted

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Lock the Gate Alliance Ltd v Tamboran B2 Pty Ltd [2026] FCA 819

[2026] FCA 819 · Decided 26 June 2026

ENVIRONMENT LAW – project being carried out for the extraction of unconventional gas by hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory – application for injunction under s 475 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) on the ground that approval is required under Pt 9 – scope of the “action” the impacts of which must be assessed – whether relevant action likely to have a

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Kuot v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2026] FCA 825

[2026] FCA 825 · Decided 26 June 2026

MIGRATION – application for judicial review of decision of Administrative Review Tribunal (Tribunal) affirming a decision of a delegate of the Minister not to revoke cancellation of the applicant’s visa under s 501CA(4) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (Act) – whether Tribunal erred by failing to consider material that was relevant to a central and prominent issue relating to the primary considerat

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited [2026] FCA 832

[2026] FCA 832 · Decided 26 June 2026

CORPORATIONS LAW – where financial services licensee contravened s 912DAA(1) and (7) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) by failing to report reportable situations to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on time or at all, after an investigation into whether there was a significant breach of a core obligation had continued for more than 30 days (being a rep

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Health Services Union v Asmar (Application for Extension of Administration) [2026] FCA 798

[2026] FCA 798 · Decided 26 June 2026

INDUSTRIAL LAW – registered organisations – interlocutory application to extend scheme of administration – whether application is directed at a new scheme – whether Administrator complied with requirements in scheme of administration – where Administrator opposes extension of scheme of administration – where no serious question to be tried – balance of convenience is fairly even – interim relief n

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Pinikera v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2026] FCA 813

[2026] FCA 813 · Decided 26 June 2026

MIGRATION – application for review of decision to cancel applicant’s visa pursuant to s 501(2) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (the Act) – whether decision illogical or irrational – whether Minister failed to consider legal consequences of s 501E of the Act – whether s 501(2) is subject to an implied temporal limitation – application dismissed

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

Federal Court of Australia

Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd [2026] FCA 824

[2026] FCA 824 · Decided 26 June 2026

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - whether the plaintiff's case against the first defendant should be heard before the plaintiff's case against the second and third defendant – where terms of declaratory orders sought against the defendants differ – where plaintiff and first defendant jointly propose the making of declaratory orders as to contraventions based upon agreed facts and admissions – where second

Read the judgment on judgments.fedcourt.gov.au

NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal

Maurice Blackburn Pty Ltd v State Insurance Regulatory Authority [2026] NSWCATAD 188

[2026] NSWCATAD 188 · Decided 29 June 2026

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - administrative review - government information - access application - enforceable right to access government information - presumption in favour of the disclosure of government information - overriding public interest against disclosure - public interest considerations against disclosure - public interest considerations in favour of disclosure - balance - term ‘could reasonabl

Read the judgment on caselaw.nsw.gov.au

NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal

Sandercock v The Hills Shire Council [2026] NSWCATAD 191

[2026] NSWCATAD 191 · Decided 29 June 2026

Administrative law – administrative review – government information – conclusive presumption of an overriding public interest against disclosure – legal professional privilege – public interest test – whether information is confidential or commercial in confidence – balancing the public interest - confidential evidence – whether any further information is held – reasonable searches – scope - corre

Read the judgment on caselaw.nsw.gov.au

District Court of New South Wales

R v Boylan and Boylan [2026] NSWDC 215

[2026] NSWDC 215 · Decided 29 June 2026

SENTENCING – manufacture of large commercial quantity of prohibited drug – methylamphetamine – possess prohibited firearm – possess prohibited weapon

Read the judgment on caselaw.nsw.gov.au

NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Occupational)

Daw v Secretary, Department of Customer Service [2026] NSWCATOD 90

[2026] NSWCATOD 90 · Decided 29 June 2026

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Home Building Act – Qualified Supervisor Certificate – refusal - bankruptcy –director of an externally-administered company - whether applicant took all reasonable steps to avoid bankruptcy and external administration

Read the judgment on caselaw.nsw.gov.au

Supreme Court of New South Wales

Walmsley by his tutor Walmsley v Boyd [2026] NSWSC 726

[2026] NSWSC 726 · Decided 29 June 2026

EVIDENCE — leave sought to adduce further expert evidence — where parties’ joint single expert has already reported — Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) r 31.44 — exercise of discretion — whether affected party would have a significant sense of grievance that it had not been permitted to advance its case

Read the judgment on caselaw.nsw.gov.au

Supreme Court of New South Wales

Howell v Kelly (No 2) [2026] NSWSC 753

[2026] NSWSC 753 · Decided 29 June 2026

JUDGMENT AND ORDERS – parties ordered to attempt to agree on orders to reflect reasons in principal judgment, failing which parties to provide competing submissions and any material relied on in support of their proposed short minutes of order – whether the orders sought by each party reflect the reasons and considerations raised in the principal judgment – HELD – orders made to reflect reasons CO

Read the judgment on caselaw.nsw.gov.au

NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Appeal Panel)

McCabe v Rosa [2026] NSWCATAP 201

[2026] NSWCATAP 201 · Decided 29 June 2026

Appeal against orders of Consumer and Commercial Division of Tribunal - whether time to appeal should be extended - whether appellant demonstrates error on question of law - whether appellant demonstrates grounds for grant of leave to appeal - whether leave should be granted to rely on further evidence – opportunity to cross examine and procedural fairness - weight given to evidence – adequacy of

Read the judgment on caselaw.nsw.gov.au

NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Appeal Panel)

Decision restricted [2026] NSWCATAP 203

[2026] NSWCATAP 203 · Decided 29 June 2026

APPEALS – federal jurisdiction – where respondent claims that it relied upon Commonwealth Act in its defence in an anticipatory manner - where Tribunal determined the claim without needing to determine the federal issue - whether Tribunal had jurisdiction – whether Appeal Panel has power to make orders allowing appeal and setting aside decision below on the basis of lack of jurisdiction in circums

Read the judgment on caselaw.nsw.gov.au

Judgment summaries (catchwords) shown here are the courts' own published text from the source record. The Daily Sydney is not a law report and does not provide legal advice.