Grech v Truck Tech

Case

[2023] FedCFamC2G 184


Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

(DIVISION 2)

Grech v Truck Tech [2023] FedCFamC2G 184

File number: MLG 2214 of 2022
Judgment of: JUDGE FORBES
Date of judgment: 10 March 2023
Catchwords: INDUSTRIAL LAW – FAIR WORK ACT – general protections court application – application filed out of time – application for extension of time – matters relevant to exercise of court’s discretion – extension of time refused
Legislation:

Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 342, 351, 365, 368, 370, 570

Industrial Relations Act 1988

Cases cited:

Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541

Brodie-Hanns v MTV Publishing Ltd (1995) 67 IR 298

Chou v Digital61 Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 640

Clarke v Service to Youth Council Incorporated [2013] FCA 1018

Richens v Commonwealth of Australia (as represented by the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police) [2018] FCA 1276

Saxena v PPF Asset Management Ltd [2011] FCA 395

SZTES v Minister for Immigration & Border Protection [2015] FCAFC 158

Tran v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2014] FCA 533

Transport Workers Union v School Bus Contractors [2011] FMCA 28

Trustee for the MTGI Trust v Johnston (No 2) [2016] FCAFC 190

Division: Division 2 General Federal Law
Number of paragraphs: 67
Date of last submission: 31 January 2023
Date of hearing: On the papers
Place: Melbourne
Solicitor for the Applicant: In Person
Solicitor for the Respondents: Gilchrist Connell

ORDERS

MLG 2214 of 2022

FEDERAL CIRCUIT AND FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA (DIVISION 2)

BETWEEN:

PHILLIP GRECH

Applicant

AND:

TRUCK TECH

First Respondent

NICHOLAS LAY

Second Respondent

order made by:

JUDGE FORBES

DATE OF ORDER:

10 MARCH 2023

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.The name of the First Respondent be amended to TTG Services Pty Ltd (ACN 30 651 354 942).

2.The Applicant’s Application for an Extension of Time dated 6 December 2022 to commence a general protections court proceeding is dismissed.

3.There be no order as to costs.

Note: The form of the order is subject to the entry in the Court’s records.

Note: The Court may vary or set aside a judgment or order to remedy minor typographical or grammatical errors (r 17.05(2)(g) Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2021 (Cth)), or to record a variation to the order pursuant to r 17.05 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (General Federal Law) Rules 2021 (Cth).

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

JUDGE FORBES

Introduction

  1. In this matter the applicant (Phillip Grech) seeks to invoke the Court’s discretion under section 370(a)(ii) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (“the FW Act”) to grant him an extension of time in which to file an application alleging dismissal in contravention of the general protection provisions of the FW Act.

  2. Relevantly, section 370 of the FW Act provides that a person must not make a general protections court application in relation to a dismissal dispute unless two criteria are satisfied, namely:

    (a)The Fair Work Commission (Commission) has issued a certificate under paragraph 368(3)(a) of the FW Act in relation to the dispute; and

    (b)The application to the court is made within 14 days after the day the certificate is issued, or within such period as the court allows on an application made during or after those 14 days.

  3. The application presently before the Court agitates the second criteria, namely the time allowed for the making of a general protections court application in relation to the dismissal dispute.

  4. Mr Grech did not file his initiating application with the Court until 4 October 2022 – that is 84 days after the FWC Certificate was issued and 70 days after the 14 day limitation period expired.

  5. The substantive application filed by the applicant in this Court on 4 October 2022 did not expressly seek an extension of time. Accordingly, at the first court date on 29 November 2022, a Registrar of this Court made orders as follows:

    1.The Applicant file and serve an amended application, including any application for an extension of time, together with a Form 2 and a copy of the Fair Work Commission Certificate by 13 December 2022.

    2.The Applicant is to file and serve submissions and any evidence in relation to an extension of time to file the application by 20 December 2022.

    3.The Respondents are to file and serve submissions and any evidence in relation to an extension of time, and any material in relation to amending the name of the First Respondent, by 31 January 2023.

    4.The Applicant is to file and serve any submissions in reply by 14 February 2023.

    5.The application for an extension of time be listed before a Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) Judge, such application be determined on the papers, on a date not before 21 February 2023.

    6.The parties have liberty to apply.

  6. The application for an extension of time is to be determined on the papers. The “papers” that are before the Court include:

    (a)An amended application and Form 2 which seeks an extension of time filed on 6 December 2022;

    (b)An affidavit of the applicant dated 16 December 2022;

    (c)An outline of submissions opposing the request for an extension of time filed by the respondents on 31 January 2023; and

    (d)An affidavit of solicitor Allana Jayde Smith, filed on behalf of the respondents and dated 31 January 2023.

  7. For the reasons set out below I have decided not to grant the applicant an extension of time.

    Background

  8. Mr Grech was employed by the first respondent (Truck Tech) from 26 April 2022 to 16 May 2022 as an apprentice heavy vehicle mechanic. The respondents contend that Mr Grech was actually employed by TTG Services Pty Ltd (ABN 30 651 354 942), but for the purposes of these reasons the employer will be described as Truck Tech.

  9. Prior to commencing his employment with the first respondent, Mr Grech underwent a medical assessment to determine whether he was capable of fulfilling the inherent requirements of the role.[1]

    [1] Exhibit ASJ-1 of the Affidavit of Allana Jayde Smith affirmed on 31 January 2023

  10. It is not disputed that the applicant’s employment was terminated by Truck Tech on 16 May 2022, during the applicant’s probationary period and on the stated ground of unsatisfactory performance.

  11. Also on 16 May 2022, the applicant filed a WorkCover claim which is presently being managed by the EML.

  12. On 25 May 2022 Mr Grech lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission alleging that his dismissal was unlawful in contravention of the general protections provisions of the FW Act (s 365). The grounds of his application were articulated as follows[2]:

    (1)I was being bullied/discriminated against. Truck Tech had an idea of this.

    (2)I contacted Fair Work and lodged a complaint/dispute.

    (3)Then the manager said my work is not progressive and the performance is low. I responded that I have been bullied and that I couldn’t cope, but that I will get better.

    (4)A meeting was held on Friday advising me that I’m taking too long on services.

    (5)I have been bullied so how can Truck Tech have the right to end my employment?

    (6)I was bullied for no reason and I was terminated to avoid frustrations.

    (7)I am not at fault.

    [2] Affidavit of Allana Jayde Smith affirmed on 31 January 2023, p 57

  13. A Fair Work Commission conciliation conference was conducted on 28 June 2022. The matter did not resolve.

  14. On 12 July 2022, Commissioner Yilmaz of the Fair Work Commission issued a certificate pursuant to section 368 of the FW Act, confirming that the Commission was satisfied pursuant to s 368(3)(a) of the FW Act that all reasonable attempts to resolve the dispute have been, or are likely to be, unsuccessful (FWC Certificate).

  15. The FWC Certificate contained an ‘Important Note’, which issued the following caution:

    IMPORTANT NOTE:

    The person dismissed or an industrial association that is entitled to represent the industrial interests of the person dismissed has 14 days from the date of this certificate within which to make a general protections court application to the Federal Court of Australia or the Federal Circuit Court of Australia for a civil remedy order, unless the court extends the time for making such an application.’

  16. On 4 October 2022, the applicant sought to commence his proceedings in this Court. Mr Grech alleges that his dismissal was unlawful and he alleges contraventions by the first respondent of ss 342 and 351 of the FW Act. Essentially, these are the same complaints which underpinned his application to the Commission.

    LEGAL PRINCIPLES

  17. The relevant provisions pertaining to the application for an extension of time are contained in the FW Act. Section 370 relevantly provides:

    A person who is entitled to apply under section 365 for the FWC to deal with a dispute must not make a general protections court application in relation to the dispute unless:

    (a)       both of the following apply:

    (i)        the FWC has issued a certificate under paragraph 368(3)(a) in relation to the dispute;

    (ii)       the general protections court application is made within 14 days after the day the certificate is issued, or within such period as the court allows on an application made during or after those 14 days.

  18. As noted above, s. 370(a)(ii) of the FW Act requires that an application in this Court be commenced within 14 days after the day the FWC Certificate is issued. However, s. 370(a)(ii) also vests in the Court a broad general discretion to grant an extension of time if it deems it appropriate to do so.

  19. Section 370 also contains a note as follows:

    Note: For the purposes of subparagraph (a)(ii), in Brodie-Hanns v MTV Publishing Ltd (1995) 67 IR 298, the Industrial Relations Court of Australia set down principles relating to the exercise of its discretion under a similarly worded provision of the Industrial Relations Act 1988.

  20. In Brodie-Hannsv MTV Publishing Ltd[3], the Industrial Relations Court of Australia outlined the principles which relate to the exercise of the Court’s discretion to extend time beyond the prescribed period. The principles, regularly applied in this jurisdiction, are as follows:

    (1)Special circumstances are not necessary but the Court must be positively satisfied that the prescribed period should be extended. The prima facie position is that the time limit should be complied with unless there is an acceptable explanation of the delay which makes it equitable to so extend.

    (2)Action taken by the applicant to contest the termination, other than applying under the FW Act will be relevant. It will show that the decision to terminate is actively contested. It may favour the granting of an extension of time.

    (3)Prejudice to the respondent including prejudice caused by delay will go against the granting of an extension of time.

    (4)The mere absence of prejudice to the respondent is an insufficient basis to grant an extension of time.

    (5)The merits of the substantive application may be taken into account in determining whether to grant an extension of time.

    [3][1995] 67 IR 298

  21. In Transport Workers Union v School Bus Contractors [2011] FMCA 28, Lucev FM (as his Honour then was) held that the Commonwealth Parliament did not intend for the Brodie-Hanns principles to be binding or exhaustive and that the note in s.370(a)(ii) ought not to be considered as being part of the statute. However, his Honour observed that the Brodie-Hanns principles have been regularly applied by this Court and do constitute a relevant guide to the criteria to be applied[4].

    [4] Transport Workers Union v School Bus Contractors [2011] FMCA 28 at [42]

  22. In Clarke v Service to Youth Council Inc, White J held that it is sufficient to treat the note as a reference to the kinds of considerations which may be relevant.[5] The Court can also consider any other matters it considers relevant and which the parties raise in support of, or in opposition to, the request for an extension of time.

    [5] Clarke v Service to Youth Council Incorporated [2013] FCA 1018

  23. The onus falls on the applicant to satisfy the Court that grounds exist for exercising the Court’s discretion to grant an extension of time in his favour.[6] Similarly, the respondents bear the evidentiary onus of raising any consideration telling against the exercise of the Court’s discretion.[7]

    [6] Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Toohey and Gummow JJ at [553]

    [7] Ibid at [547]

  24. Consistent with authority and the well-established practice of this Court and the Federal Court, it is appropriate to consider the current application within the Brodie-Hanns framework but noting that the Court’s discretion is broad and not constrained by only those factors.

    CONSIDERATION

    Explanation for the delay

  25. I do not need to consider whether ‘special circumstances’ exist in order to exercise my discretion to extend time. Rather the Court should focus on whether there is an acceptable explanation for the delay ‘which makes it equitable to extend’.[8]

    [8] Brodie-Hannsv MTV Publishing Ltd [1995] 67 IR 298

  26. The circumstances pertaining to the late filing of the Application and Form 2 are outlined by Mr Grech in a brief submission attached to his affidavit dated 15 December 2022. In this submission, Mr Grech states that:

    ‘I did lodge the documents, form 4 & the fair work form within 14 working days via the vicfiling email, the documents require amending but I was adviced (sic) anyway that the documents have been received and have now been excepted (sic), all though (sic) it did take some time to get the amendments done due to the fact I was experiencing chronic back pain and also I was under treatment by my doctor, I was also experiencing stress, depression and a mental concern.’; and

    ‘I have evidence of the delay with my capacity certificates’.

  27. The respondents challenge the adequacy of that explanation on the basis that Mr Grech has provided no documentary evidence to support this explanation for the delay.

  28. I agree that the explanation provided by the applicant provides insufficient detail and does not rise above assertion. Mr Grech has not proffered an explanation as to why he believed the documents were received and accepted by the Court at an earlier date. The applicant has not provided any evidence to support the assertion that he lodged the documents with the Court within the 14 day period, that he was told they had been received or that he was told they needed amending. The applicant has not, for example, sought to produce any court records or email receipts which confirms the said lodgement nor has he provided any evidence of his correspondence with the registry about the amendments that were required.

  29. In the absence of objective evidence, I do not accept that the applicant filed any documents with the Court prior to 4 October 2022 or within the time prescribed by the Act. On the material before me, I cannot be satisfied that Mr Grech was advised by court staff at any earlier period that there were deficiencies in the documents provided by him but that they had been received and were accepted.

  30. I am satisfied that on 12 July 2022, both parties received the FWC Certificate by way of email. As previously stated that Certificate included a prominent note which drew the applicant’s attention to the requirement to make an application to the Court within 14 days, unless the Court extends the period for an application.

  31. Whilst there is no evidence that Mr Grech read the note in the FWC Certificate, given its prominence, it is reasonable to assume that he did. Thus, I proceed on the basis that the applicant did not allow the limitation period to expire because of ignorance of its existence.[9]

    [9] Clarke v Service to Youth Council Incorporated [2013] FCA 1018 at [20]

    Medical issues

  32. The applicant attributes his failure to commence proceedings within time to his physical and mental health. In his affidavit in support of the extension of time application dated 15 December 2022, Mr Grech asserts that he was experiencing chronic back pain, stress, depression and a ‘mental concern’ during the period following his dismissal. The affidavit annexes various Certificates of Capacity and medical reports[10] which he says confirms this explanation, including:

    (a)Certificates of Capacity dated 1 December 2022 and 26 October 2022 from general practitioner Dr Ali Nguyen;

    (b)Letter from Dr Ali Nguyen to Dr Paul Cassar dated 13 October 2022;

    (c)Letter from Mr Chris Xenos to Dr Chranjai Sakia dated 4 August 2022; and

    (d)Letter from Dr Ali Nguyen to ‘the Talk Shop’ dated 10 November 2022.

    [10] Exhibits A to H

  33. It is to be recalled that the Commission issued its Certificate on 12 July 2022. The 14 day time limit expired on 26 July 2022.

  34. Mr Grech does not detail how his medical conditions prevented or compromised his ability to file the application within time. No evidence has been adduced in respect of any impairment in his day-to-day activities between July and October.

  35. Each of the Certificates of Capacity annexed to the applicant’s affidavit significantly post-date the expiry of the 14 day limitation period and are all dated at least three weeks after the actual date of filing the application. It is submitted that the documents do not prove that Mr Grech was at any relevant time experiencing a medical condition which meant he was incapable of filing the application within time, nor has Mr Grech given evidence of the same.

  36. Moreover, the medical reports are dated between 1 and 4 months after the expiry of the limitation period for filing the application. The Medical Reports are general in nature and do not disclose or explain why the applicant’s medical ailments prevented him from filing the application on time.

  37. Nor does Mr Grech offer any explanation as to why or how, in the face of these medical issues, he was able to formally lodge his application on 4 October 2022, and not before.

  38. I am not satisfied that the medical reports demonstrate an acceptable reason for the delay. Simply annexing several medical documents to an affidavit does not amount to a satisfactory explanation for why Mr Grech was unable to lodge his application within the prescribed timeframe. In circumstances where the onus falls on the applicant to satisfy the Court that it should exercise its discretion to grant an extension of time in his favour[11], Mr Grech’s explanation in respect of his medical problems is found wanting.

    [11] Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Toohey and Gummow JJ at [553]

  39. It is a well-established principle that the longer the delay the more comprehensive the explanation must be.[12] In circumstances where the length of the delay in commencing proceedings is 70 days, which I consider to be substantial, the applicant’s unsatisfactory explanation weighs against granting an extension of time.

    [12] Tran v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2014] FCA 533

    Action taken by the applicant to contest the termination

  40. It is common ground that the applicant took steps to contest the dismissal by filing the application with the Commission.

  41. However, after the issue of the FWC Certificate on 12 July 2022, the matter sat idle and there is no objective evidence that Mr Grech sought to agitate his claim until he filed his court application on 4 October 2022.

  42. As mentioned earlier, Mr Grech has alleged that he sought to file an application within time and that he was informed (presumably by the court registry) that it required amendment. However I have rejected that uncorroborated claim and have found that no such attempt was made.

    Prejudice to the Respondents

  43. The respondents submit that the delay in bringing the proceeding causes prejudice as the passing of time presents an obstacle to the respondents’ witnesses and their accurate recollection of events. At face value, I do not consider this brief explanation as identifying any real prejudice.

  1. However, the respondents submit, and I accept, that the absence of prejudice does not, in and of itself, warrant an extension of time. That is a correct statement of principle. In the absence of other factors weighing in favour of the applicant the mere absence of prejudice to a respondent would not ordinarily move a Court to exercise discretion.

    Merits of the substantive application

  2. Here the respondents submit that the absence of merit in the substantive application is “so obvious on the face of the application” that there is no need for the Court to hear further evidence or argument.

  3. In considering an application for an extension of time, it is generally inappropriate to fully investigate the merits of the substantive claim, although obvious strengths or weaknesses may be a factor for or against extending time.[13] Of course, it would be futile to grant an extension of time if an application has no ostensible merit or no real prospects of success. To do otherwise would be to unnecessarily involve considerable additional resources being expended by the parties and the Court.[14]

    [13] SZTES v Minister for Immigration & Border Protection [2015] FCAFC 158 at [49]

    [14] Chou v Digital61 Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 640 at [23]

  4. Mr Grech’s Form 2 – Claim alleges contraventions of the FW Act in the following terms:

    (a)Claiming for the fact I was bullied and discriminated at work and also outside the gates;

    (b)Management said after I told them I’ve closed the fair work case that my work is lagging, I said I’ve been bullied and I should improve soon. A week later Richard and Lee terminated me;

    (c)During this time Rob Choppel advised me […] work members were saying inappropriate words about me;

    (d)I believe they would describe me as special needs person;

    (e)Last month I email Rob Choppel requesting this information and I was ignored;

    (f)Person must not take actions against another person; and

    (g)Prevent the exercise of a workplace right by the other person.

  5. At [27] of his Form 2, Mr Grech seeks $61,500 in compensation. According to the applicant, this figure covers “discrimination and bullying, resulting a back injury while at work - then was terminated”.[15] The claim for compensation is further particularised by the applicant as necessary given that he has been unemployed since the injury and is experiencing, amongst other things, financial hardship, ‘mental concern’, stress and depression.

    [15] Form 2 dated 6 December 2022

  6. The respondents argue that the applicant’s substantive application fundamentally lacks merit because it fails to disclose a protected attribute, a necessary requirement for a general protections claim. On this point, the respondents submit:

    i.the Applicant has not explained how he alleges he was discriminated against on the basis of the protected attributes set out in section 351(1) of the FW Act or otherwise within the meaning of s 342(1), Item 1(d);

    ii.the Applicant underwent a pre-employment medical assessment to determine if he had any physical restrictions that may impact his ability to perform the inherent requirements of the role. The medical assessment was undertaken by Dr Benson Pek (Medical Officer – JobFit Health) on 27 April 2022. Dr Benson Pek produced and signed a Report based on the medical assessment on 25 May 2022 which included a ‘Questionnaire’. In the Questionnaire in the Report, it states that the Applicant did not have any ‘disabilities or difficulties’ on the day of the assessment, being 27 April 2022.3 This is evidence that the Respondent would seek to rely on to defend the merits of the Applicant’s application because this Report states that there was no ‘disability or difficulty’ disclosed by the Applicant pre-employment that was capable of being a protected attribute under section 351(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth); and

    iii.this means that any allegation as to ‘discrimination’ made by the Applicant with respect to a breach of s 351(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (or even discrimination within the meaning of s 342(1)) is unlikely to succeed.

  7. The respondents also submit that Mr Grech has not specified the alleged workplace right he says he was prevented from exercising, nor has he explained how he was prevented from exercising any workplace rights.

  8. In assessing the merits of the application, I consider it appropriate to take into account the fact that Mr Grech is unrepresented and that his claim may not be properly articulated. It would be unfair to diminish the potential merit of the applicant’s claim simply because of the way it is expressed.

  9. Even making that allowance the basis for the claims advanced by Mr Grech are very obscure. The use of the expressions “discrimination”, “bullying” or phrases such as “not taking actions against another person” or “prevented the exercise of a workplace right” give the flavour of a claim which might potentially come within realm of the general protections provisions of the FW Act. However, in the absence of any other evidence, the Court can only speculate about what the claim might involve and cannot make any assessment of its underlying merit.

  10. I must proceed to assess this application on the basis of the evidence before me. As the applicant for an extension of time, Mr Grech bears the persuasive onus. Neither the applicant’s Form 2 nor the affidavit and submissions he has filed in support of the application for an extension of time elucidate the nature of the claim or its underlying merit, if any.

    Fairness

  11. According to the respondent, fairness as between the applicant and others is not relevant to the circumstances and should not weigh in his favour.

  12. I disagree. The applicant is self-represented and the documents filed on his behalf suggest a lack of familiarity with court processes and relevant legislation. I infer that the respondents are better resourced and are able to access legal advice and representation by external solicitors.

  13. In my view, if an extension of time were to be granted, there would be little prejudice to the respondents and I expect they would be able to mount a defence to the substantive application. I accept that there is a potential for unfairness if the applicant cannot prosecute what he believes is a meritorious claim. I think this factor weighs in the applicant’s favour.

    Disposition

  14. I have carefully considered and weighed each of the relevant factors which inform my discretion to extend time under s 370 of the FW Act.

  15. The statutory time limit conveys parliament’s intention that an application should be brought within a specified time frame. That legislative intention must be given weight and where discretion is available to extend that time, the court must be persuaded that it is appropriate to do so.

  16. In all the circumstances, I am not satisfied that the applicant has provided any acceptable reason for the delay. Although the delay is less than 3 months and any prejudice to the respondents is minimal, the evidence satisfies me that the applicant was on notice of the 14 day time limit and that he could have filed an application within that timeframe had he wished to do so.

  17. The application for an extension of time is refused.

    Costs

  18. The respondents seek their costs of the application on an indemnity basis or in the alternative on a party-party basis.

  19. The respondents have been wholly successful in opposing the application for an extension of time. However, in considering any application for costs I must be mindful of s 570 of the FW Act which relevantly provides:

    ‘(1) A party to proceedings (including an appeal) in a court (including a court of a State or Territory) in relation to a matter arising under this Act may be ordered by the court to pay costs incurred by another party to the proceedings only in accordance with subsection (2) or section 569 or 569A.

    (2) The party may be ordered to pay the costs only if:

    (b)       the court is satisfied that the party’s unreasonable act or omission caused the other party to incur the costs; or

    …’

  20. The respondents submit that Mr Grech was put on notice on 15 November 2022 that if he did not withdraw the extension of time application, the respondents would seek an order that he pay their legal costs[16].

    [16] Affidavit of Allana Jayde Smith at [20]

  21. In the context of s 570 the respondents submit that it was an unreasonable act for the applicant to have pressed his application after 15 November 2022 or an unreasonable omission for him not to have discontinued the proceeding. This unreasonable act or omission has caused the respondents to incur significant unnecessary legal costs.

  22. The Court’s power to award costs to a party in a FW Act matter is framed by the policy considerations which underpin a system which does not unduly discourage litigants from accessing justice. The policy behind s 570 is to ensure that the spectre of costs being awarded against an unsuccessful litigant does not loom so large in the mind of potential applicants that those with genuine grievances and arguable evidentiary and legal bases for them are put off commencing or continuing proceedings[17]. For that reason, the threshold set by s 570(2) is high and the Court’s discretion to award costs is to be exercised with caution and in a clear case[18], in part to avoid discouraging parties from completely and robustly pursuing claims or robustly pursuing their defence of such claims[19].

    [17] Trustee for the MTGI Trust v Johnston (No 2) [2016] FCAFC 190 at [8]

    [18] Saxena v PPF Asset Management Ltd [2011] FCA 395 at [5]-[6]

    [19] Richens v Commonwealth of Australia (as represented by the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police) [2018] FCA 1276 at [23] per Mortimer J

  23. I do not propose to make any order for costs. Although the applicant was unsuccessful in persuading me that an extension of time should be granted, I do not regard his application as being hopeless or completely unmeritorious. The fact that I did not exercise my discretion in his favour should not be taken as evidence that the applicant acted unreasonably in pressing his application.

    Change of name of First Respondent

  24. For the reasons articulated in the respondent’s submissions, I accept that the name of the First Respondent should be amended to TTG Services Pty Ltd (ACN 30 651 354 942).

I certify that the preceding sixty-seven (67) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment of Judge Forbes.

Associate:

Dated:       10 March 2023


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