Thomson v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited

The appellant, who was self-represented, challenged the decision of the primary judge to set aside a statutory demand served on the respondent. The primary judge had also made an order as to costs. The appellant argued the primary judge should have been disqualified due to apprehended bias, erred in her findings, and that the appellant was denied natural justice. The appeals were heard by the Court of Appeal. The Court held that the appeals should be dismissed. The primary judge's decision to set aside the statutory demand was correct, as there was a genuine dispute over the debt. The appellant's concerns about the timing of the submission of an application by the respondent were adequately addressed by the primary judge. The primary judge did not err in her findings and did not deny the appellant natural justice. The Court found that the appellant's challenge to the primary judge's decisions was without merit. The Court dismissed the appeals with costs. The orders made by the Court were to grant leave to amend the notice of appeal, to refuse applications to adduce evidence, and to dismiss the appeals with costs.