On 20 September 2019 Cigno Pty Ltd (Cigno) made an application in the Federal Court of Australia in New South Wales seeking the following relief under s39B of the Judiciary Act 1903:
- an order to quash theÌý÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ Corporations (Product Intervention Order – Short Term Credit) InstrumentÌý2019/917 (Short Term Credit PIO);
- a declaration that theÌýShort Term Credit PIO is invalid; and
- costs.
On 20 September 2019 ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ was provided with a draft copy of the application and on 26 September 2019 ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ was served with a sealed copy of the application.Ìý
ASIC is considering the application.
The Short Term Credit PIO remains in force while the matter is before the Court.
Background
On 12 September 2019 ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ made a product intervention order by way of legislative instrument in relation to short term credit: 19-250MR. The order came into force on 14 September 2019 and Cigno is an affected party.Ìý
This decision follows ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥â€™s consultation on the proposed intervention to stop significant consumer harm in short term credit.
Editor's note:
A directions hearing has been listed for 31 October 2019 in Sydney at 9.30am before Justice Stewart.
Editor's note 2:
The matter has been listed for hearing on 30 March 2020.
Editor's note 3:
The hearing before Justice Stewart has concluded. The Court has reserved its decision.
Editor's note 4:
On 15 April 2020, Justice Stewart handed down his decision dismissing Cigno’s application with costs awarded to ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥. For more detail see 20-089MR.
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