Spotlight on CBA's Bankwest buy

A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR case against Bankwest  could shed further light on issues surrounding CBA's $2.1 billion acquisition of it.

Spotlight on CBA's Bankwest buy

A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR case against Bankwest brought by a former Neighbours actor could shed further light on issues surrounding Commonwealth Bank's $2.1 billion acquisition of the distressed lender.

The case, involving Scott Michaelson, is scheduled to start on Monday, with the extended 20-day duration indicating some contentious issues could be aired.

Mr Michaelson, who played the character of Brad Willis on Neighbours from 1991 to 1993, declined to discuss the basis of his Bankwest claim.

"I don't want to jeopardise my trial so I can't say anything, but I'm looking forward to running my case on Monday," he said.

A CBA spokesman said the bank was defending the case and believed its actions, and those of Bankwest, were appropriate.

"Because the matter is listed before the court for hearing next Monday, the bank is unable to make further comment," he said.

Last year, a Senate inquiry heard multiple complaints from Bankwest business customers alleging the bank had unconscionably foreclosed on their loans after the CBA takeover, announced in October 2008.

CBA has consistently denied the claims.

Last month, CBA group general counsel David Cohen wrote a six-page letter to the Senate economics legislation committee, angrily rebutting suggestions that "clawback" arrangements in the Bankwest sale agreement had enabled CBA to benefit by manufacturing defaults.

Mr Cohen said some Bankwest customers had a "myopic belief that somebody other than themselves must be responsible for how events unfolded".

Mr Michaelson is no stranger to the courts.

In 2003, he won $350,000 in damages for breach of contract from pop star Holly Valance, who also appeared in Neighbours.

The NSW Supreme Court heard Valance had dumped Mr Michaelson as her manager 15 months before the expiry of their three-year deal. Judge Clifford Einstein ruled that Valance had shown a calculated disregard for her manager's rights, as well as a "cynical pursuit of benefit".

Mr Michaelson's claim against Bankwest is through a number of companies, including CPL Australasia and International Skin Care Suppliers.

Administrators were appointed to CPL Australasia in February 2009, two months after then treasurer Wayne Swan approved CBA's acquisition of Bankwest.