Aston & Vallis v Australian National University (Civil Disputes)

Aston and Vallis brought proceedings against the Australian National University (ANU) in the Federal Circuit Court. The case revolves around the impact of COVID-19 public health orders on the university's operations and its students. The legal issues before the court were whether the university's decisions to move teaching and examinations online and to delay the return of on-campus activities constituted a breach of contract with the students, and whether the public health orders issued by NSW and ACT health authorities in response to COVID-19 provided sufficient justification for these actions.

The court held that the public health orders constituted a force majeure event, effectively excusing the university from its contractual obligations. The court found that the university's actions in response to these orders were reasonable and necessary. The orders, which included restrictions on movement and gatherings, as well as quarantine requirements, were deemed to be legitimate responses to the pandemic and beyond the control of the university. The court concluded that the university had acted in good faith and within the scope of the public health orders, thus fulfilling its contractual duties under the changed circumstances. The court dismissed the students' claims, affirming the university's actions as justified under the extraordinary conditions created by the pandemic.