Al Jorany v AHG Services (WA) Pty Ltd

In *Al Jorany v AHG Services (WA) Pty Ltd*, the applicant sought leave to be represented by a legal practitioner in proceedings before the Small Claims Tribunal. The respondent opposed this application.

The central legal issue before the Tribunal was whether to grant the applicant leave to be represented by a lawyer, notwithstanding the general prohibition against legal representation in the Small Claims Tribunal jurisdiction. The Tribunal was required to consider the specific circumstances of the case and the factors relevant to exercising its discretion.

His Honour Judge Kendall determined that leave should be granted. The reasoning applied focused on the complexity of the issues involved, the disparity in legal knowledge and experience between the parties, and the potential for an unfair hearing if legal representation were denied. The Tribunal considered that the interests of justice favoured allowing representation to ensure a fair and equitable resolution of the dispute.

Leave to be represented by a legal practitioner was accordingly granted to the applicant.