Smith v Australian National Line Ltd

In Smith v Australian National Line Ltd, Hayne J, sitting in chambers, considered an application for leave to appeal. The dispute concerned an appeal from a decision of the Full Federal Court.

The primary legal issue before Hayne J was whether to grant leave to appeal to the High Court. This required an assessment of whether the case raised a question of law that ought to be determined by the High Court, having regard to the public importance of the question, the interests of the administration of justice, or any other compelling reason.

Hayne J refused leave to appeal. His Honour did not provide detailed reasons for this refusal, but the decision implies that the case did not meet the threshold for granting special leave to appeal to the High Court.