Proceedings in a State court that require findings for or against the title of a trustee in bankruptcy to property fall within the exclusive jurisdiction in bankruptcy of the Federal Court under s 27(1) of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth), regardless of whether the Bankruptcy Act is invoked in the pleadings or whether a bankrupt or trustee in bankruptcy is a party. Section 31(1)(f) elucidates the scope of that exclusive jurisdiction. Separately, a judgment of the Federal Magistrates Court declaring that property vests in a trustee in bankruptcy creates a res judicata barring subsequent proceedings in a State court seeking contrary relief, and there is sufficient privity of interest between a trustee and beneficiary of a trust to sustain the estoppel.
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