Wentworth v New South Wales Bar Association

The High Court of Australia heard an application for expedition of an application for leave to appeal. The applicant, Katherine Wentworth, sought orders for the abridgement of time for service of her application and for the expedition of her application for special leave to appeal. The New South Wales Bar Association was the respondent. The Attorney-General for New South Wales appeared as amicus curiae, though his role and interest in the proceedings were clarified to be limited.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the application for special leave to appeal should be expedited. The applicant also sought a stay of proceedings, but this was not pressed. The Court was required to consider the reasons for expedition in light of the nature of the orders made by the Court of Appeal.

The Court considered the affidavits filed in support of the application. The applicant's legal qualifications had been satisfied since the Court of Appeal's decision, removing a prior point of interest for the Attorney-General. The Court noted that the matter could not be dealt with in the ordinary course, indicating a potential basis for expedition.

The Court granted the application for expedition.