SZEKF v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs

Case [2005] FCA 9


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

SZEKF v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2005] FCA 9

SZEKF v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
NSD1807 OF 2004

TAMBERLIN J
SYDNEY
10 JANUARY 2005

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

NSD 1807 OF 2004

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL MAGISTRATES COURT

BETWEEN:

SZEKF
APPLICANT

AND:

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

TAMBERLIN J

DATE OF ORDER:

10 JANUARY 2005

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

The application for an extension of time and for leave to appeal are dismissed with costs.

Note:   Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

NSD 1807 OF 2004

ON APPEAL FROM THE FEDERAL MAGISTRATES COURT

BETWEEN:

SZEKF
APPLICANT

AND:

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND MULTICULTURAL AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

TAMBERLIN J

DATE:

10 JANUARY 2005

PLACE:

SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. This is an application for leave to appeal and for an extension of time to file and serve a notice of appeal from a judgment of a Federal Magistrate given on 12 November 2004.  The respondent’s submissions outline the reasons given orally by the Magistrate which led the Magistrate to conclude that no reasonable cause of action had been disclosed and, accordingly, to exercise the discretion to dismiss the application for judicial review.

  2. On accepted authority the Magistrate’s decision is interlocutory in nature.  The applicant is several days out of time but had he been able to persuade me that there is some reasonable basis for appealing from the Magistrate’s judgment or that there was some error of principle, I would have been disposed to grant an extension of time. 

  3. However, I am not satisfied that any reasonable basis for appeal from the Magistrate has been shown.  In particular, the affidavit and grounds of appeal disclose no proper basis on which there can be a review of either the Refugee Review Tribunal's decision or setting aside the Magistrate's judgment.

  4. On the hearing this morning, the applicant, who was previously in detention but has now been discharged from detention, indicated to me that he was prepared to return to India in a short period of time, but that he would have some difficulty in returning immediately.

  5. I am not persuaded that any error has been shown in the Federal Magistrate's judgment or indicated in the Refugee Review Tribunal’s decision.  Accordingly, in these circumstances I dismiss the application with costs.

I certify that the preceding five (5) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Tamberlin.

Associate:

Dated:            10 January 2005

The Applicant appeared in person with the assistance of an interpreter.
Solicitor for the Respondent: Sparke Helmore
Date of Hearing: 10 January 2005
Date of Judgment: 10 January 2005
Details
AGLC
SZEKF v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2005] FCA 9
Case
[2005] FCA 9
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The matter before the court involved Szekely, who sought to appeal a decision made by the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. The central issue in this case was whether Szekely had a right to appeal the decision within the stipulated time frame and if he was eligible for an extension of that time. This case highlights the importance of timely appeals in the immigration and multicultural affairs domain, where decisions can significantly impact individuals' lives and rights.

The court had to determine if Szekely's application for an extension of time to appeal was justified and whether he was eligible for leave to appeal. This required a review of the statutory provisions governing the time frame for appeals, as well as the discretion available to the court in granting extensions. The court also had to consider the relevant case law and principles that guide such decisions.

In reaching its decision, the court examined the statutory provisions and found that they did not provide for an extension of time in the circumstances presented. The court also noted that the discretion to grant an extension is limited and must be exercised judiciously. Given that Szekely had not provided a satisfactory explanation for the delay in filing his application, the court found that it was not appropriate to exercise its discretion in his favour. Consequently, the court dismissed Szekely's application for an extension of time and for leave to appeal, and ordered that he pay the costs associated with the application.

Orders

Orders of the court

The application for an extension of time and for leave to appeal are dismissed with costs.

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

TAMBERLIN J

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Established by: TAMBERLIN J

Full text does not contain this section.