The Full Federal Court has strongly supported the mutual recognition of judgment provisions of the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act. The Full Court upheld the registration of a significant money judgment obtained in New Zealand. The Appellant had been ‘debarred’ by an 'unless order' from participation in the original New Zealand proceedings. The Full Court rejected the argument that the New Zealand proceedings offended Australian public policy and procedural fairness requirements and upheld the underlying principle of reciprocal recognition of judgments from New Zealand. The Full Court found that New Zealand 'unless orders' were simply a form of peremptory order by which courts were able to control their processes. The Full Court also confirmed the jurisdiction of the Federal Court in relation to the enforcement of New Zealand judgments.

From the Federal Court of Australia:

PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW – appeal from the dismissal by the primary judge of an application under s 72(1) of the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 (Cth)to set aside the registration of a judgment of the High Court of New Zealand in relation to proceedings under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (NZ) – whether enforcement of judgment would be contrary to public policy in Australia

Dr Christopher Ward SC and Dr Stephen Tully successfully appeared for the respondent.