National Exchange Pty Ltd v Foster

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT MELBOURNE

COMMON LAW DIVISION

ADMIRALTY LIST

No.  8730 of 2003

NATIONAL EXCHANGE PTY LTD (A.C.N. 006 079 974)	Plaintiff
v
HELEN CATHERINE FOSTER	Defendant

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JUDGE:	DODDS-STREETON J.
WHERE HELD:	MELBOURNE
DATE OF HEARING:	31 March 2004
DATE OF JUDGMENT:	5 April 2004
CASE MAY BE CITED AS:	National Exchange v Helen Foster
MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:	[2004] VSC 125

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APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
For the Plaintiff	Mr I.G. Waller
For the Defendant

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE APPEAL...................................................................................................................................... 1

The Questions of Law................................................................................................................... 2
Relief Sought.................................................................................................................................. 3
Affidavit in Support of the Appeal............................................................................................. 3
Apprehension of Bias................................................................................................................... 7
The Statements............................................................................................................................. 10

Waiver........................................................................................................................................... 12

CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................. 16

HER HONOUR:

THE APPEAL

1. This is an appeal pursuant to s.109(1) of the Magistrates' Court Act 1989 (Vic) from a final order of the Magistrates' Court on questions of law,.

1. Section 109 of the Magistrates' Court Act provides:

Appeal to Supreme Court from final order made in civil proceeding

(1)     A party to a civil proceeding in the Court may appeal to the Supreme Court, on a question of law, from a final order of the Court in that proceeding.

(2)     An appeal under sub-section (1)—

(a)must be instituted not later than 30 days after the day on which the order complained of was made; and

(b)does not operate as a stay of any order made by the Court unless the Supreme Court so orders.

(3)     Subject to sub-section (2), an appeal under sub-section (1) must be brought in accordance with the rules of the Supreme Court.

(4)     An appeal instituted after the end of the period referred to in sub-section (2)(a) is deemed to be an application for leave to appeal under sub-section (1).

(5)     The Supreme Court may grant leave under sub-section (4) and the appellant may proceed with the appeal if the Supreme Court—

(a)is of the opinion that the failure to institute the appeal within the period referred to in sub-section (2)(a) was due to exceptional circumstances; and

(b)is satisfied that the case of any other party to the appeal would not be materially prejudiced because of the delay.

(6)     After hearing and determining the appeal, the Supreme Court may make such order as it thinks appropriate, including an order remitting the case for re-hearing to the Court with or without any direction in law.

(7)     An order made by the Supreme Court on an appeal under sub-section (1), other than an order remitting the case for re-hearing to the Court, may be enforced as an order of the Supreme Court.

1. At the hearing of the appeal on 30 March 2004 there was no appearance for Ms Foster.

1. The final order appealed against is the order of Mr R.L. Crisp, Magistrate, made on 10 October 2003.

1. Mr Crisp on 10 October 2003 made orders dismissing the Magistrates' Court complaint of the appellant, National Exchange Pty Ltd ("National Exchange") pursuant to which, as plaintiff, it claimed damages of $697.23 from the respondent, Helen Foster,…