This Sub-area includes:

• consumer-related matters such as:
  • misleading and deceptive conduct
  • unconscionable conduct
  • unfair commercial practices
  • product liability matters
  • false advertising
• Australian Consumer Law actions by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The NPA practice note sets out the arrangements for the management of Commercial and Corporations proceedings in this Sub-area:

Other practice notes and Court developed guides which may be relevant to this Sub-area include:

Filing fees for commencing a proceeding in this Sub-area may apply. Information about Court fees, including the fees payable and circumstances where an exemption or deferral can be given is available in Forms, Fees & Costs or from the Registry.

A person may commence a proceeding in this Sub-area by filing:

Parties should consider whether it is necessary to file a Genuine steps statement (Form 16) in certain proceedings in this NPA - see Rule 8.02 of the Rules and the Civil Dispute Resolution Act 2011 (Cth) (including sections 6, 7 and 16).

• Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth)
• Civil Aviation (Carriers Liability) Act 1959 (Cth)
• National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth)
• National Consumer Credit Protection (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2009 (Cth)
• National Consumer Credit Protection (Fees) Act 2009 (Cth)
• Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)

• 23 Oct 2026: US1 Critical Minerals Limited (Formerly Gladiator Resources Limited) v Price (No 2) [2026] FCA 1583
  PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE– application for interim injunction – where prima facie case for misleading and deceptive conduct and injurious falsehood – whether injunction should be issued – whether applicant established the basis for an injunction in the terms of the order sought
  Judge: ABRAHAM J
• 16 Oct 2026: Buonocore v Cesan (video link evidence) [2026] FCA 1557
  PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for witnesses to give evidence by video link under s 47A(1) of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – witnesses reside overseas – where party bringing s 47A application submits costs of bringing the witnesses to Australia cannot be met – where the visa application of one witness was not made in time –…
  Judge: BROMWICH J
• 19 Oct 2026: Australian Securities and Investments Commission v NGS Crypto Pty Ltd (No 7) [2026] FCA 1545
  CORPORATIONS – interlocutory application – asset preservation orders under s 1323 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) – undertaking given by non-party as condition of release of $135,000 to enable purchase of real property – application to release non-party from undertaking to permit sale of property – principles applicable to variation or…
  Judge: COLLIER ACJ
• 16 Oct 2026: Wang v Creation Homes Qld Pty [2026] FCA 1538
  PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for stay of security for costs orders made by judicial registrar – review of registrar’s orders – hearing de novo – factors relevant to security for costs on appeal – where no submissions from appellant – where affidavit discloses no basis for stay – application dismissed.
  Judge: ANDERSON J
• 16 Oct 2026: Sandbar Developments (NT) Pty Ltd v Hall [2026] FCA 1536
  PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE — application for leave for corporate applicant to be represented by person other than a lawyer — application for the Court to exercise its discretion under r 1.34 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) to dispense with requirement in r 4.01(2) — whether there is sufficient reason to dispense with requirement in r 4.01(2) of…
  Judge: O'SULLIVAN J
• 13 Oct 2026: Williams v Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited (Suppression Orders) [2026] FCA 1518
  REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDINGS – proposed settlement of class action for total settlement sum of $750 million, inclusive of legal costs and any payment to the litigation funder – settlement subject to approval under s 33V of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – settlement approval hearing listed – proposed notice to group members PRACTICE…
  Judge: LEE J
• 6 Oct 2026: Marlau Nominees Pty Ltd trading as Paramount Liquor v Adobe Systems Pty Ltd [2026] FCA 1494
  CORPORATIONS – application for urgent interlocutory injunction restraining the respondent, pending the hearing and determination of the proceeding, from in any way disrupting the access to or use of the applicant’s websites or the products and services provided by the respondent under the contract between the parties – in substance a mandatory…
  Judge: ANDERSON J
• 9 Oct 2026: Williams v Companies Auditors Disciplinary Board [2026] FCAFC 136
  CORPORATIONS – appeal from dismissal of application for judicial review of decision of Companies Auditors Disciplinary Board cancelling appellant’s registration as company auditor under s 1292(1)(d)(i) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) – proper construction of duties of Engagement Partner under applicable Auditing Standards – whether Engagement…
  Judge: COLLIER, NEEDHAM AND HILL JJ
• 2 Oct 2026: True EV Distribution Pty Ltd v Shenzhen Xiaopeng Motors Supply Chain Management Co Ltd (No 5) [2026] FCA 1453
  COSTS – quantum of lump sum costs – where respondents’ solicitor has provided a detailed summary of costs, which are reasonable and proportionate to the work required to be undertaken in the matter – where respondents’ solicitor has significant experience in commercial litigation and has prepared the evidence in accordance with the Costs Practice…
  Judge: JACKMAN J
• 1 Oct 2026: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v eHarmony, Inc (No 2) [2026] FCA 1445
  PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – civil penalty proceeding – bifurcated hearing of liability and relief – whether declarations of contravention should be made following judgment on liability – whether hearing on penalties and other remedies should await foreshadowed appeal on liability
  Judge: HORAN J

• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)