In July 2026, James has an opportunity to sit down with Hall & Wilcox partner and host of the Hall & Wilcox podcast "What's in a name?" to talk about diversity, inclusiveness, and using one's privilege for the benefit of all.

You can find the original podcast here:

https://hallandwilcox.com.au/news/cultural-inclusion-conversations-whats-in-a-name-season-2/

“I need some documents to figure out if I have an oppression claim.”

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P, a 1.15% shareholder in ASX-listed D, sought production of 6 categories of documents from D pursuant to s 247A: [1], [6]

D opposed the application saying there was no case to be investigated: [4]

D’s major business was an NDIS service provider operated by a wholly owned subsidiary, SubCo: [7]

The NDIA claimed SubCo has received $800K it was not entitled to, with the figure of $400K eventually arrived at: [8], [12]

In September 2024, SubCo’s inconsistency in NDIS claims led the NDIA to suspend payments: [9]

A trading halt and suspension were placed on D’s shares: [14]

Admins were appointed to SubCo who reported SubCo had poor controls and D’s Dirs may have breached their duties: [15]

In Jan 2025 SubCo was placed into liq: [16]

SubCo was later permanently banned from providing NDIS services: [17]

Since June 2025, P raised concerns the management of SubCo and possible claims against SubCo’s Dirs: [18]

SubCo did not conduct an AGM in 2025 or 2026 and did not allow shareholders an opportunity to ask Qs of its dirs or auditors: [19]

A Feb 2026 update from SubCo noted the turbulence and telegraphed hopes at improved performance in future; disposing of some assets and thinking strategically: [21], [22]

P’s reasons for seeking the documents were (i) to ascertain whether SubCo could remain listed, (ii) whether the Dirs could manage SubCo, (iii) whether the Dirs breached their DDs, (iv) whether the shareholders had any claims, or (v) whether there had been oppressive conduct: [23]

The Court considered the law relating to s 247A applications and found production of some documents was appropriate, noting: an application must be brought in “good faith and for a proper purpose”; the Court has a broad discretion as to relief; document access is for specific purposes, not to give an applicant a general picture; noting SubCo’s failure to comply with its obligs: [24] – [31]

The Court accepted there were cases to be investigated as to whether D breached its NDIS and other governance / reporting obligations, and whether its Dirs breached their duties: [32]

The Court then considered the various proposed document categories.P sought a broad range of documents. The Court (respectfully) closely considered the various categories finding some (like Dir meeting minutes) ought to be produced and others (like corro between D and its auditors) ought not, while leaving room for the parties to negotiate amended categories if needed: [34] – [52]

The Court accepted it was appropriate to exercise its discretion to make orders for inspection of some documents sought by P: [54], [55]

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“I’m the regulator. You’re getting wound up.”
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ASIC sought an order winding up a Co pursuant to s 461(1)(k): [1]
Neither the Co nor its Dir appeared in the litigation: [2]
(A Co failing to appear at its own winding up application did not inspire confidence in the Co’s management: [20])
The Court considered some general principles relating to ASIC s 461(1)(k) apps including: (i) the importance of a lack of confidence in a Co’s management; (ii) the requirement that a risk to the public interest (including where investor funds might be put at risk) be demonstrated; and (iii) generally, the Court’s reluctance to wind up a solvent Co: [16] – [18]
At relevant times, the Co held an AFS and provided investment services, apparently specialising in bonds: [21] – [27]
The Co purported to sell to retail clients (or acquire on their behalf) bonds which did not exist, or which the Co was unable to sell or hold on behalf of its clients: [28]
i.e. It was a scam.
The Court heard from various clients who has been deceived.
One client transferred $100K to the Co to secure bonds issued by a reputable institution, the problem being: that institution had never issued bonds of that kind: [30] – [32]
Another transferred $250K to the Co to secure bonds which the original issuer had not approved for issue to retail clients: [33] – [36]
Another transferred $120K to the Co to secure bonds which, evidence showed, were not acquired by the Co: [37] – [39]
A further client transferred $160K to acquire bonds which it appeared did not exist: [40], [41]
The Co provided false information to its auditor: [42] – [45]
ASIC reviewed the Co’s accounts forensically and found $17m had been transferred to the Co. $9m of that had been applied to crypto assets. Only $100K had been invested in bonds: [46] – [49]
The Co had no other assets of note: [50]
Evidence showed the Co’s sole director had no involvement in its affairs or knowledge of its financial position: [51] – [53]
In July 2026, the Co indicated in writing to a client it was “winding down” operated with assets to be “assessed for liquidation”. This led ASIC to correspond with the Co’s lawyers, who were unable to obtain instructions: [58] – [60]
There were strong grounds for a lack of confidence in the Co’s management: (i) the Co misled clients about investing in bonds that did not exist; (ii) the Co sent false accounts to its auditor; (iii) having taken ~$17m from clients for bonds, the Co has only purchased ~$100K of bonds, and otherwise invested in crypto and no other assets of value; and (iv) the Co’s Dir has exercised no oversight over the Co: [61]
The Court accepted the Co’s existence presented a risk to the public interest: [62], [63]
There was some doubt as to the Co’s solvency: [64]
The Court found it was just and equitable that the Co be wound up pursuant to s461(1)(k): [67]

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“You haven’t proved the shares’ value, so we need a receiver!”

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P, D3, and D4 were equal 1/3 shareholders in a defence consulting Co. P sought a s 233 order that D3 and D4 buy its shares: [1], [2], [9]
There were disputes between the dirs (each controlling P, D3, and D4) in managing the Co: [3] – [43]
In late 2024 the Co was invited to tender for defence work. D3 and D4 were unimpressed with P’s contribution calling P “a complete dud”: [65] – [71]
D3 and D4 relied on ChatGPT to guide their removal of P – “not a prudent choice of adviser…”: [73], [77], [82], [83]
ChatGPT’s output was employment focused; silent on corporate risks: [86], [93]
The plan, which was executed in essence, was to gradually exclude P and to withhold dividends: [88], [121]
Following this plan, D3 and D4 conducted meetings and sent emails incorrectly framing as employment only: [89] – [98]
P removed D3’s and D4’s access to the Co’s Xero account: [99]
The erosion of trust and confidence justified a s 461(1)(k) winding up orders, and amounted to oppression: [113]
Further steps were taken to exclude P from a role at the Co, including directing P not to present to a new client: [116] – [129]
In May 2025 P’s lawyers wrote to the D3, D4, and the Co making complaints upheld and accepted by the Ds in XX. No remedial steps were taken: [161], [162]
On 14 May 2025 proceedings were commenced. D3 and D4 set a meeting for 7.30am the following day, apparently to frustrate P’s application: [163] – [167]
D3’s and D4’s conduct, combined with the litigation, saw P’s role at the Co further reduced: [174]
D3 and D4 took steps (in relation to IT and external contractors) that required unanimous approval without P’s consent: [178]
D3 and D4 executed a contract between the Co and an external sub-Co they controlled, for provision of services: [189]
Oppression was established noting the exclusion of P in the absence of a genuine offer to buy P’s shares; and in respect of the dividend strategy allowing D3 and D4 to be paid while P was not: [265]
The Court found it could not accept either valuer’s evidence as to share value – leaving no finding made as to the valuation of P’s shares, and so no ability to make a buyout order: [285], [315]
The Court was unmoved by one expert’s methodology; and disagreed with the way the other expert dealt with the “only one client who can terminate for convenience risk” of working for defence: [316]
A share buyback did not arise as the Co did not appear: [320]
After considering appointment of a receiver to sell the shares at length, and noting the Co was a viable one, the Court concluded a receiver was the best alternative: [340]
Orders appointing a receiver to sell the shares were made: [351]

“It’s not my fault the payments were a pointless waste!”
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2 families resolved to develop land through a unit trust: [1], [2]
R held a 40% stake. A, and related interests, held the remaining 60%: [2] – [4]
At trial, R won an oppression claim alleging A caused the Co’s conduct to be unfairly prejudicial: [6]
The Co bought land in 2012 for $3m and sold it for $11m in 2015. The sale proceeds were distributed at A’s direction: [8]
The docs for the sale were strange, including A instructing lawyers while withholding the purchase price: [35]
After settlement, A finally disclosed the $11m sale price, and $3m in other payments: [47]
Apart from costs, legal fees, duties, commission, balance to the Co etc, 3 further payments were made: one to the mortgagee, and two others which R criticised: [100]
One of the payments was made to an entity controlled by A’s sibling: [109]
The other was “highly unusual… to say the least”, with A’s evidence “very unimpressive”. The amount was large, not owed, and paid to a Co incorporated days before settlement whose Dir and s/h was known to A, with no connection to the land: [111]
The sole Dir and s/h of the purchaser of the property was also a Dir of the real estate agent who enjoyed a commission of $1m on the sale: [30], [31]
The trial judge found for R, that: (i) A was responsible for the payments, (ii) that the two payments made on settlement were oppressive, and (iii) A’s responses to requests for info were inadequate: [11]
A appealed on the basis that: (i) the judge was wrong for finding A responsible for the payments, (ii) R delayed their claim, and (iii) the judge erred re A’s response to R’s enquiries: [13]
There was no contest about whether the 3rd party recipients were entitled to receive the two payments. (All agreed they weren’t.) The issue was A causing the payments to be made: [14]
The primary judge found A gave the payment directions, was responsible, and should have ensured all payments were properly incurred: [48] – [52], [54]
Some payments were a “pointless waste” of Co funds: [53], [56]
The trial judge found A’s responses to info requests for information were unfairly discriminatory: [59]
The judge found any delay from R had not prejudiced A: [64]
A’s subs on appeal were, broadly, that A was a mere intermediary; not responsible: [68] – [88]
R said R’s claim was about a breach of duty misunderstood the nature of s 232: [89] – [93]
The Court agreed with the primary judge that A was not a “mere intermediary”; mindlessly and powerlessly accepting direction from their sibling: [104], [105]
The primary judge accepted A “did not profit personally” from the strange additional payments, though noted an entity controlled by their sibling did: [109], [110]
A did not demonstrate an error made by the trial judge re R’s delay, or A’s non-disclosure: [119], [120]
Appeal dismissed: [121], [122]

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Please follow James d'Apice, Coffee and a Case Note, and Gravamen on your favourite platform and podcast provider!

While often a lawyer named 'James' I am also sometimes a podcast cohost called 'Peach'.

Here is an episode of a podcast I cohost all about the Gordon Ramsay reality TV phenomenon 'Kitchen Nightmares'.

It's playful, it's in depth, and I hope it gives you a new insight into what I get up to alongside law.

If you enjoy it, please give it a subscribe!

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You can find the podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-nightmare-method/id1733972953

It's time for another great fun appearance on Jordan and Nathan's podcast, Challenge the Standard.

We cover it all!

- The progress of Gravamen

- Intersectionality

- The value of community

- Sponsoring a sports team

- The worst tech stuff up CACN has encountered!

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You can find the Challenge the Standard podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/challenge-the-standard-in-financial-advice/id1725733771

“Who pays the legal fees for the property sale and the partnership windup?”
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A recent, short decision concerned a s 66G application for the sale of a property and a winding up of the partnership that owned it: [2]
In 1991 the partnership was formed between a sibling, some companies, and the deceased. The parties to the proceedings were the partners and some of the deceased’s children: [3]
In 2022 the deceased died.
At the time of the hearing, the deceased’s stake in the property was held by the deceased’s executors: [4]
An accusation of “foot-dragging” on the part of the Ds coloured the Ps’ approach: [8]
The Ps commenced proceedings seeking the appointment of s 66G trustees and for the winding up of the partnership: [2]
The parties reached agreement that the orders sought ought to be made: [5]
Unresolved was the question of legal costs: [6]
The Ps took the view that the Ds’ foot-dragging conduct was unreasonable, thereby inviting the litigation. Based on this – the Ps said – the Ps should have their costs from residue but the Ds should not: [8]
The Ds said the normal position ought to be maintained, that their conduct did not warrant a departure from it (noting the negotiations engaged in over the course of the matter): [9]
The Court considered the usual position as to costs in a s 66G application and a partnership dissolution – absent an alternative order the parties’ costs be paid from residue: [10] – [12]
Having considered the evidence tendered by both parties detailing their interactions over the course of years the Court was not satisfied that the usual costs order ought to be departed from: [14]
Following some argument about a suggestion that proceeds ought to be paid into a controlled monies account, the Court ordered that the proceeds ought to be paid into Court: [16] – [21]
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www.gravamen.com.au

James (me! The person writing this!) criminally underappreciates the amazing community we have built together with this podcast.

Here I have a quick personal message from me saying:

- If you are thinking about your career please consider completing the Gravamen survey which you will find at surveymonkey

- Thanks for being a part of this podcast journey! There is more to come...

Jd'A

www.gravamen.com.au

In March 2026 James d'Apice had the opportunity to interview Michael Kirby, one of the most celebrated Australian lawyers of them all. Please join James and Michael as they discuss:1. Michael's new book edited by Dr Paul Vout KC, 'Law Justice and Other Challenges' available through Federation Press. https://federationpress.com.au/produc...2. Ethics, the billable hour, AI, and contemporary practice.3. International current events in the context of Michael's role as a champion of international law and the current "might is right" zeitgeist.4. The role of humour in legal practice.5. What advice Michael has for us.6. Heaps more!The interview was for BenchTV. A link to it can be found here: https://benchtv.com.au/preview-law-ju...