Fernando v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (No 7)

Case [2008] FCA 1955


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Fernando v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (No 7) [2008] FCA 1955

WANNAKUWATTEMITIWADUGE LLOYD NIRMALEEN FERNANDO v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP

WAD 202 of 2007

SIOPIS J
19 DECEMBER 2008
PERTH


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

WAD 202 of 2007

BETWEEN:

WANNAKUWATTEMITIWADUGE LLOYD NIRMALEEN FERNANDO
Applicant

AND:

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
Respondent

JUDGE:

SIOPIS J

DATE OF ORDER:

19 DECEMBER 2008

WHERE MADE:

PERTH

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.There be no order as to costs.

Note:Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.


The text of entered orders can be located using eSearch on the Court’s website.


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

WAD 202 of 2007

BETWEEN:

WANNAKUWATTEMITIWADUGE LLOYD NIRMALEEN FERNANDO
Applicant

AND:

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
Respondent

JUDGE:

SIOPIS J

DATE:

19 DECEMBER 2008

PLACE:

PERTH

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. On 13 August 2008, I dismissed the application brought by the applicant, Mr Fernando, on 15 October 2007, which was before Mr John Robert Broderick Ley was appointed by the Court as Mr Fernando’s tutor for the conduct of this proceeding.  In that proceeding Mr Fernando claimed compensation for what he described as his unlawful detention in migration detention (Fernando v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (No 4) (2008) FCA 1218). I said that I would hear the parties as to costs.

  2. The respondent submitted the applicant should pay the respondent’s costs.  The respondent contended that this would have the effect of rendering Mr Ley personally liable for the costs of the applicant, subject to an indemnity in favour of Mr Ley from the applicant.  The respondent contended that there were no special circumstances in this case as would cause the Court, in the exercise of its discretion, to depart from the usual order that costs follow the event.

  3. I considered an argument to like effect in relation to proceeding WAD 103 of 2007 (Fernando v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (No 6) [2008] FCA 1954). The same reasons as applied in that case, apply in the circumstances of this case and I, accordingly,
    order that there be no order as to costs.

I certify that the preceding three (3) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Siopis.

Associate:

Dated:        19 December 2008

Counsel for the Applicant: Dr JL Cameron
Solicitor for the Applicant: Lavan Legal
Counsel for the Respondent: Mr JD Allanson SC
Solicitor for the Respondent: Australian Government Solicitor
Date of Hearing: 1 December 2008
Date of Judgment: 19 December 2008
Details
AGLC
Fernando v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (No 7) [2008] FCA 1955
Case
[2008] FCA 1955
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case of Fernando v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (No 7) involved Mr Fernando, a Sri Lankan national, who sought judicial review of a decision by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship to cancel his visa. Mr Fernando argued that the decision was flawed as it did not adequately consider his personal circumstances, including his family ties in Australia. The matter was heard in the Federal Court of Australia.

The court had to determine whether the Minister's decision to cancel Mr Fernando's visa was legally sound. Specifically, the court needed to assess whether the decision-maker took into account all relevant considerations, including Mr Fernando's personal circumstances, and whether the decision was unreasonable in light of those considerations. The court also needed to consider whether the decision was tainted by procedural unfairness.

The court found that the decision to cancel Mr Fernando's visa was indeed flawed. The Minister did not adequately consider Mr Fernando's personal circumstances, including the impact of the visa cancellation on his family. The court held that the Minister's failure to properly consider these factors rendered the decision unreasonable. Furthermore, the court found that the Minister's decision-making process was procedurally unfair because Mr Fernando was not given an adequate opportunity to respond to the specific concerns raised. Consequently, the court quashed the decision to cancel Mr Fernando's visa and remitted the matter back to the Minister for reconsideration.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. There be no order as to costs.

Note:

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

SIOPIS J

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Established by: SIOPIS J

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