1 December 2007
MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION
Austin, Nichols & Co Inc v Stichting Lodestar
(SC 21/2007) [2007] NZSC 103
PRESS SUMMARY
This summary is provided to assist in the understanding of the Court’s judgment. It does not comprise part of the
reasons for that judgment. The full judgment with reasons is the only authoritative document. The full text of the
judgment and reasons can be found at
www.courtsofnz.govt.nz.
The principal issue in this appeal was the approach that the High Court should take on an appeal against a decision of
the Commissioner of Trade Marks under s 27(6) of the Trade Marks Act 1953. The Court of Appeal judgment suggested that,
where a decision turns on a value judgment open to the Commissioner, the High Court ought not to embark on a
reconsideration of the issue without considering, and giving weight to, the Commissioner’s conclusion. The Supreme Court
has held unanimously that this approach is not correct. On hearing an appeal under s 27(6), as with all general appeals,
the appellate court must come to its own view on the merits of the case. The weight that the appellate court gives to
the lower authority’s reasoning is a matter for its own judgment.
SEE FULL JUDGMENT IN PDF FORMAT:
ENDS