Please be advised that the High Court building in Canberra will be closed to the public for an event from Wednesday, 19 November to Friday, 21 November 2025.

KPMG (a firm) v. Commonwealth of Australia and Anor

Case No. M66/2010
Case information

Catchwords

Constitutional law — Operation and effect of Commonwealth Constitution — Powers with respect to property — Power to acquire property on just terms (Constitution s 51(xxxi)) — Acquisition of property — Where Australian Securities and Investment Commission (“ASIC”) has power to cause proceedings to be brought in the name of a company for recovery of damages or property in certain circumstances — Where ASIC caused proceedings to be brought against plaintiff in the name of various companies — Whether the commencement of proceedings in the name of a company by ASIC effects an acquisition of property on other than just terms — Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act 2001 (Cth) s 50.

Short Particulars

Documents

18/05/2010 Writ of summons

18/05/2010 Notice of constitutional matter

11/08/2010 Hearing (Single Justice, Melbourne)

06/01/2011 Written submissions (Plaintiff)

06/01/2011 Chronology

17/01/2011 Written submissions (Defendants)

27/01/2011 Reply

01/02/2011 Notice of Discontinuance

01/02/2011 Hearing (Full Court, Canberra)