Regie Nationale Des Usines Renault SA v Zhang

HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIAGLEESON CJ,GAUDRON, McHUGH, GUMMOW, KIRBY, HAYNE AND CALLINAN JJREGIE NATIONALE des USINES  APPELLANTSRENAULT SA & ANORANDFUZU ZHANG  RESPONDENTRegie Nationale des Usines Renault SA v Zhang[2002] HCA 1014 March 2002S9/2001ORDERAppeal dismissed with costs.On appeal from the Supreme Court of New South WalesRepresentation:B W Walker SC with A S Bell and R D Glasson for the appellants (instructed by Connery & Partners)R F Margo SC with S E Pritchard for the respondent (instructed by T D Kelly & Co)Notice:  This copy of the Court's Reasons for Judgment is subject to formal revision prior to publication in the Commonwealth Law Reports.CATCHWORDSRegie Nationale des Usines Renault SA v ZhangPrivate international law – Forum non conveniens – Tort – Allegedly negligent design and manufacture overseas of motor vehicle by foreign company registered, but not carrying on business, in Australia – Motor vehicle accident in New Caledonia – Continuing damage suffered in New South Wales – Action commenced in New South Wales Supreme Court – Supreme Court declined to exercise its jurisdiction and stayed the proceedings – Whether exercise of discretion miscarried – Relationship between Supreme Court Rules authorising orders declining jurisdiction and judicial decisions on forum non conveniens – Whether Supreme Court a clearly inappropriate forum – Relevance of circumstance that foreign law is to be applied as the lex causae – Whether discretion to grant stay of proceedings should be re-exercised.Private international law – Choice of law – Tort – Allegedly negligent design and manufacture overseas of motor vehicle by foreign...