Joy West v Sawtell Motor Inns

[2023] FWC 2304

[2023] FWC 2304

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION

Fair Work Act 2009

s.394—Unfair dismissal

Joy West
v

Sawtell Motor Inns

(U2023/5445)

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI SYDNEY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2023

Application for an unfair dismissal remedy.

1. Joy West (the applicant) began employment with Sawtell Motor Inns (the respondent) on the 20^th of June 2023 and was allegedly dismissed on the 13^th of June 2023.
   
   

2. On the 20^th of June 2023, the applicant made an application for a remedy for unfair dismissal under s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).
   
   

3. The legal business name nominated by the respondent in their F3 – Employer’s Response Form in this matter was MF & PA FARRELL.
   
   

4. On the 18^th of August 2023, correspondence was sent to the applicant in relation to the legal business name discrepancy and she was required to respond by the 25^th of August 2023. No response was received at this time.
   
   

5. Further correspondence was sent to the applicant on the 29^th of August 2023. She was required to respond to this correspondence by 5:00pm the 1^st of September 2023. It was in this correspondence that the applicant was advised her matter would be dismissed without further notice, should my chambers not receive a response.
   
   

6. To date, the applicant has not responded to any of the correspondence sent by my Chambers.

1. Section 587 of the Act provides:

587 Dismissing applications

(1) Without limiting when the FWC may dismiss an application, the FWC may dismiss an application if:

(a) the application is not made in accordance with this Act; or

(b) the application is frivolous or vexatious; or

(c) the application has no reasonable prospects of success.

(2) Despite paragraphs (1)(b) and (c), FWC must not dismiss an application under section 365 or 773 on the ground that the application:

(a) is frivolous or vexatious; or

(b) has no reasonable prospects of success.

(3) FWC may dismiss an application:

(a) on its own initiative; or

(b) on application.

1. The words, “Without limiting when FWC may dismiss an application” at the commencement of s.587(1) of the Act, establish that the jurisdiction of the Commission to dismiss an application is not limited to the circumstances set out in s.587(1)(a), (b) and (c).

1. In the circumstances I have decided to dismiss the application for want of prosecution pursuant to s.587(3)(a) of the Act.

1. An order to that effect will issue with this decision.

VICE PRESIDENT

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