In Dura (Australia) Constructions Pty Ltd v Hue Boutique Living Pty Ltd [2011] VSC 477 (23 September 2011), His Honour Mr Justice Macaulay was considering, among other things, whether documents brought into existence for the purpose of an adjudication under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 2002 (Vic) could attract litigation privilege. His Honour considered whether the statutory adjudication process was an “Australian proceeding” for the purposes of Section 119 of the Evidence Act 2008 (Vic)., and concluded that he should prefer a wider interpretation of the words. At paragraphs 48-50:

48 I agree …… that, because an adjudicator is not bound to apply the laws of evidence, such a person does not qualify as an ’Australian court‘ on that basis. But, is an adjudicator authorised by the Security of Payment Act to ‘hear, receive and examine evidence’? In considering whether, as a matter of statutory interpretation an adjudicator meets that description I am to prefer a construction that promotes the purpose or object of the Evidence Act……… Assuming, as I do, that the regime of privilege is intended to ensure fairness between participants in the conduct of litigious processes, I would not give that expression a narrow meaning …..
49 The adjudication occurs in a patently adversarial setting. It is determined upon the basis of evidence presented in documentary form, and upon written submissions. …… Despite the fact that the adjudication may not ultimately determine the parties’ rights if, in a subsequent court proceeding, the parties’ entitlements are litigated, the adjudication result is enforceable at law and is binding upon the parties unless and until a subsequent court order changes that outcome. I think that the nature of adjudications is such that preserving the confidentiality of communications, made for the dominant purpose of enabling the provision of legal services to participants in the adjudication, would promote the object of fairness for and between those participants.
50 Bearing those matters in mind, I conclude that the provisions of the Act I have summarised above do authorise the adjudicator to ‘hear, receive and examine evidence’ as I would construe that expression. I therefore construe the definition of ‘Australian court’ to embrace an adjudicator under the Security of Payments Act and an adjudication as an ‘Australian proceeding’ within the meaning of s119 of the Evidence Act.