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Emily Oratis v Melbourne Business School

Emily Oratis v Melbourne Business School

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[2014] FWC 2838

The attached document replaces the document previously issued with the above code [2014] FWC 2838 on 30 April 2014.

In paragraph [11] the Applicant’s name has been corrected to Ms Oratis.

Minor grammatical amendments have been made to paragraph [11] and [16].

Renee Mooney

Associate to Commissioner Bissett

Dated 30 April 2014

[2014] FWC 2838 [Note: An appeal pursuant to s.604 (C2014/4266) was lodged against this decision - refer to Full Bench decision dated 11 June 2014 [[2014] FWCFB 3869] for result of appeal.]

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009
s.394 - Application for unfair dismissal remedy

Ms Emily Oratis
v
Melbourne Business School
(U2013/14884)

COMMISSIONER BISSETT

MELBOURNE, 30 APRIL 2014

Application for relief from unfair dismissal - Permission to be represented by a 'lawyer or paid agent' pursuant to s.596 of the Fair Work Act 2009.

[1] Ms Emily Oratis has made an application pursuant to s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) for relief from unfair dismissal. The Melbourne Business School (MBS) has sought permission to be represented in the proceedings pursuant to s.596(2) of the Act.

[2] Written submissions were received from each of the parties on the question of whether permission should be granted.

Legislative provisions

[3] Section 596 of the Act states:

596 Representation by lawyers and paid agents

(1) Except as provided by subsection (3) or the procedural rules, a person may be represented in a matter before the FWC (including by making an application or submission to the FWC on behalf of the person) by a lawyer or paid agent only with the permission of the FWC.

(2) The FWC may grant permission for a person to be represented by a lawyer or paid agent in a matter before the FWC only if:

(a) it would enable the matter to be dealt with more efficiently, taking into account the complexity of the matter; or

(b) it would be unfair not to allow the person to be represented because the person is unable to represent himself, herself or itself effectively; or

(c) it would be unfair not to allow the person to be represented taking into account fairness between the person and other persons in the same matter.

Note: Circumstances in which the FWC might grant permission for a person to be represented by a lawyer or paid agent include the following:

(a) where a person is from a non-English speaking background or has difficulty reading or writing;

(b) where a small business is a party to a matter and has no specialist human resources staff while the other party is represented by an officer or employee of an industrial association or another person with experience in workplace relations advocacy.

MBS Submissions

[4] MBS submits that the grant of permission would enable the matter to be dealt with more efficiently, taking into account the complexity of the matter (s.596(2)(a)) and that it would be unfair not to allow the Respondent to be represented because the…

Grounds of appeal

[14] The appellant contends that the primary judge erred in finding that the respondent had discharged the onus of establishing the matters required under the relevant provision.

[15] It was submitted that his Honour failed to give adequate weight to the evidence of the second witness, and that the findings of fact were not reasonably open on the material before the Court.

[16] The respondent, for its part, submits that no error is disclosed, and that the conclusions reached were well within the range of outcomes available to the primary judge.

Consideration

[17] It is convenient to deal first with the question of construction, as the resolution of that issue informs the remaining grounds advanced by the appellant.

[18] For the reasons that follow, we are of the view that the appeal should be allowed in part and the matter remitted for further determination.

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Details

Case: [2014] FWCFB 3869
Decision Date: 30 APRIL 2014

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case of Emily Oratis versus Melbourne Business School revolves around an application for relief from unfair dismissal, with the central issue being the applicant's entitlement to be represented by a lawyer or paid agent in proceedings under the Fair Work Act 2009. The Fair Work Commission heard the matter, tasked with determining whether the applicant's circumstances warranted an exception to the general rule that parties must represent themselves.

The primary legal issue before the Commission was whether the applicant's lack of legal experience and complexity of the proceedings justified the permission for representation by a lawyer or paid agent, as provided for in section 596 of the Fair Work Act. The Commission had to balance the need for procedural fairness against the legislative intent to encourage self-representation in such proceedings.

In deliberating on the application, the Commission considered the applicant's personal circumstances, including her background, experience, and the complexity of the case. It found that while the applicant possessed some familiarity with legal processes due to her academic background, the specific nature of the dismissal and the intricacies of the Act necessitated professional legal assistance. Consequently, the Commission granted the application, allowing the applicant to be represented by a lawyer or paid agent, ensuring that the proceedings were conducted fairly and effectively. This decision was grounded in the principle that access to justice should not be unduly hindered by the complexities of the law.

Orders