SZIEF v Minister for Immigration

Case

[2007] FMCA 745

8 May 2007


FEDERAL MAGISTRATES COURT OF AUSTRALIA

SZIEF & ANOR v MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION & ANOR [2007] FMCA 745
MIGRATION – Refugee Review Tribunal – whether proceeding should be dismissed pursuant to Rule 13.03A(c) of the Federal Magistrates Court Rules 2001 by reason of failure of either applicant to appear at hearing.
Federal Magistrates Court Rules 2001 r.13.03A(c); pt.1 sch.1
First Applicant: SZIEF
Second Applicant: SZIEG
First Respondent: MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION & CITIZENSHIP
Second Respondent: REFUGEE REVIEW TRIBUNAL
File number: SYG233 of 2006
Judgment of: Emmett FM
Hearing date: 8 May 2007
Date of last submission: 8 May 2007
Delivered at: Sydney
Delivered on: 8 May 2007

REPRESENTATION

No Appearance by Applicants
Counsel for the Respondent: Ms A. Mitchellmore
Solicitors for the Respondent: Ms M. Palmer, Sparke Helmore
FEDERAL MAGISTRATES
COURT OF AUSTRALIA AT
SYDNEY

SYG 233 of 2006

SZIEF

First Applicant

SZIEG

Second Applicant

And

MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION & CITIZENSHIP

First Respondent

REFUGEE REVIEW TRIBUNAL

Second Respondent

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

Ex-tempore

  1. The first respondent seeks an order that the proceeding before this Court, commenced by way of application filed on 23 January 2006 seeking judicial review of a decision of the Refugee Review Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) dated 20 February 2005, be dismissed pursuant to r.13.03A(c) of the Federal Magistrates Court Rules 2001 by reason of the non-appearance of either of the applicants at today's hearing.

  2. I note that the applicants attended a directions hearing before a Registrar of this Court on 21 February 2006 at which time the matter was listed for call-over on 12 January 2007.  I note that both applicants appear to have signed that Court order.  On 7 April 2006 the applicants filed an amended application and provided an address for receiving mail and a home address. 

  3. On 10 November 2006, the Court wrote to the applicants at both the address for receiving mail and the home address notifying them that the matter had been listed for final hearing today at 2.15pm.

  4. It is now 2.37pm.  The applicants have been called on three occasions and there is no appearance for the applicants.  The first respondent tendered a letter dated 27 April 2007, being a copy letter sent to the applicants at the address for receiving mail, enclosing a copy of the first respondent's submissions and informing them of today listed hearing.  I note that the letter also informs the applicants that if the applicants do not attend today's hearing that the first respondent will seek orders from the Court that the matter be dismissed and that the applicants pay the legal costs of the first respondent.

  5. In the circumstances, I am satisfied that the applicants were aware, or should have been aware, of today's hearing date and for whatever reason have chosen not to attend.  Accordingly, I am satisfied that it is appropriate that the orders sought by the first respondent be made.

ORDERS DELIVERED

RECORDED : NOT TRANSCRIBED

  1. The first respondent seeks costs fixed in the amount of $3,500. I note that the relevant schedule is pt.1 of sch.1 of the Federal Magistrates Court Rules 2001.  I am satisfied that the amount sought is reasonable in all the circumstances.

I certify that the preceding six (6) paragraphs are a true copy of the reasons for judgment of Emmett FM

Deputy Associate:  E. Maconachie

Date:  21 May 2007

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