Seidler v Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

In *Seidler v Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology*, the applicant, Seidler, sought to discontinue proceedings against the respondent, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). The dispute concerned an application brought under the *Human Rights Act 2006* (Vic).

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant the applicant's request to discontinue the proceedings and, consequently, the appropriate orders regarding costs.

Justice Street considered the applicant's right to discontinue proceedings, noting that this right is generally unfettered. However, the court also had to determine whether to order the applicant to pay RMIT's costs. His Honour reasoned that as the applicant was discontinuing the proceedings, it was appropriate to order that the applicant pay RMIT's costs, to be taxed if not agreed.