| [2022] FWC 1329 |
| FAIR WORK COMMISSION |
| DECISION |
Fair Work Act 2009
s.394—Unfair dismissal
Semi Jardin Dean Brooks
v
Labour Power Recruitment (Mt Gravatt)
(U2022/2184)
| VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI | SYDNEY, 1 JUNE 2022 |
Application for an unfair dismissal remedy.
Semi Jardin Dean Brooks was employed by Labour Power Recruitment (Mt Gravatt) from the 20th of November 2020 until they were dismissed on the 31st of January 2022.
On the 19th of February 2022, the applicant made an application for a remedy for unfair dismissal under s.394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).
A conciliation was scheduled to take place on the 28th of April 2022. The Applicant did not participate and was not able to be contacted.
On the 12th of May 2022, correspondence was sent to the applicant and the applicant was required to respond by the 25th of May 2022 to clarify whether they wished to continue their application against the respondent or not.
On the 20th of May 2022, further correspondence was sent to the applicant directing them to provide a response by 5:00pm on the 25th of May 2022. They were advised that in the absence of a reply their application may be dismissed.
To date, Semi Jardin Dean Brooks has not responded to any of the correspondence that my Chambers has sent to this date.
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.
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).
In the circumstances I have decided to dismiss the application for want of prosecution pursuant to s.587(3)(a) of the Act.
An order to that effect will issue with this decision.
VICE PRESIDENT
Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer
<PR742070>
- AGLC
- Semi Jardin Dean Brooks v Labour Power Recruitment (Mt Gravatt) [2022] FWC 1329
- Case
- [2022] FWC 1329
- Decision Date
CaseChat Overview and Summary
The legal issue before the Commission was whether the application should be dismissed due to the applicant's failure to prosecute. Section 587(1) of the Act provides that the FWC may dismiss an application if it is not made in accordance with the Act, is frivolous or vexatious, or has no reasonable prospects of success. Additionally, section 587(3)(a) allows the FWC to dismiss an application on its own initiative if it believes the application should be dismissed. The Commission considered these provisions and the applicant's failure to respond to multiple communications, ultimately deciding to dismiss the application for want of prosecution.
The Vice President, Catanzariti, found that Brooks' repeated failure to respond to correspondence and participate in the conciliation proceedings amounted to a lack of prosecution. The Commission concluded that Brooks' conduct indicated the application was unlikely to succeed and that dismissing the application was appropriate under section 587(3)(a) of the Act. Therefore, the Vice President decided to dismiss the application for want of prosecution. An order to that effect will issue with this decision.
Orders
Orders of the court
Full text does not contain this section.
Background
Background to the litigation
Full text does not contain this section.
Evidence
Evidence Before The Court
Full text does not contain this section.
Decision
Reasons for decision
Full text does not contain this section.
Ratio Decidendi
Legal Principle Established
Full text does not contain this section.