High Court Rules (Amendment)

Legislation au C2004L02326 CourtRules Not in force Legislative Instrument

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JUDICIARY ACT

 

HIGH COURT RULES

 

Statutory Rules 1970, No. 17(a)

 

Commencement and application.

1. These Rules shall come into operation on the 1st day of March 1970 but notwithstanding the change in size of paper effected by Rule 4 a document may be accepted for filing until the 1st day of July 1970 if printed on folio foolscap paper if such document otherwise complies with the provisions of Rule 4 of Order 61.

2. Order 55, Rule 8 is repealed and the following is substituted therefor:—

Title of proceedings.

8.—(1.) The order to show cause and all subsequent proceedings shall be entitled—

In the matter of an application for (description of the writ or order sought, e.g. a writ of prohibition) against (name of every person and authority to whom the writ or order is proposed to be directed or against whom the information is proposed to be exhibited).

Ex parte (name of the applicant).

except in the case of an order for the production of a person as a witness which shall be entitled in the proceeding.

(2.) (a) Where a writ of mandamus or prohibition is sought against an officer of the Commonwealth the officer shall be described in the title by his name and the name of his office.

(b) In all other cases a party respondent may be described in the title by his name or the name of his office or both, or, in the case of a magistrate or justice in a court of summary jurisdiction, as the magistrate or justice at the place where the court is held.

(3.) The applicant shall be called—

(a) in the case of an application for a writ of mandamus or relief of a like nature, or of an application for a writ of prohibition—the prosecutor;

(b) in the case of an application for an information of quo warranto or relief of a like nature—the relator; and

(c) in the case of an application for a writ of habeas corpus or certiorari —the applicant..

Use of Seal.

3. Order 58, Rule 2 is amended—

(a) by inserting the symbols and figure (1.) following the figure 2.; and

 

(a) Made under the Judiciary Act 1903-1969 as of 15 January 1970; notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 19 February 1970.


(b) by inserting the following sub-rule:—

(2.) The Seal referred to in the preceding sub-rule shall be in the form represented hereunder.

Requirements as to documents.

4. Order 61, Rule 4 is amended by omitting paragraph (c) of sub-rule (1.) and inserting in its stead the following paragraph:—

(c) be upon paper of the size known as International Paper Size A4, that is to say, measuring approximately 11¾ inches by 8¼ inches, of good and durable quality and capable of receiving ink writing;.

Third Schedule.

5. The Third Schedule is amended as follows:—

(a) In the notes to items 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, by deleting the words and figures items 29, 30 or 31 — and inserting in their place the words and figures items 30, 31 or 32 —;

(b) In the note to item 7, by deleting the figures 31 and inserting in their place the figures 32”;

(c) In item 33 by deleting the figures 28 and inserting in their place the figures 29; and

(d) Item 14 is deleted and the following inserted in its place:—

14. For searching in a register, index, file or calendar and inspecting documents—per hour or part of an hour               1.00

[Note: A search, without payment of a fee may be made by or on behalf of a party to a proceeding of the documents filed relating to that proceeding.].

G. E. BARWICK, C.J.

EDWARD A. MCTIERNAN, J.

DOUGLAS I. MENZIES, J.

W. J. V. WINDEYER, J.

W. F. L. OWEN, J.

(L.S)

N. GAMBLE

Principal Registrar

Overview

The Judiciary Act 1903 was enacted to provide a framework for the administration of justice in Australia, establishing the High Court and other federal courts. The Statutory Rules 1970, No. 17(a), which include amendments to the High Court Rules, were introduced to update and modernise the procedural aspects of the High Court. This legislative instrument, made under the Judiciary Act, aims to streamline and formalise the documentation processes within the High Court. The amendments to the rules, such as the transition to A4 paper size and the formalisation of the titles of proceedings, reflect an effort to standardise court practices and enhance the efficiency of the judicial process. The changes were designed to address procedural gaps and improve the clarity and consistency of legal documentation.

Scope and Application

The Judiciary Act High Court Rules, as statutory rules 1970, No. 17, establish the procedural framework for the High Court of Australia, governing the conduct of proceedings and the preparation and filing of documents. These rules apply to all parties, officers, and entities involved in legal proceedings before the High Court, including applicants, respondents, and officers of the Commonwealth, and they pertain to the specific titles and descriptions to be used in legal documents. The rules also outline the requirements for the use of the Court’s seal and the type of paper to be used for documents, specifying International Paper Size A4 as the standard. Additionally, the rules provide for amendments to the Third Schedule, which concerns the fees for various services such as searching registers and inspecting documents, and clarify the payment of these fees. These rules are applicable nationwide within the Commonwealth of Australia and were enacted under the authority of the Judiciary Act 1903-1969. The rules came into operation on 1 March 1970, with a grace period until 1 July 1970 for the acceptance of documents printed on folio foolscap paper, provided they meet the specified requirements.

Key Provisions

The High Court Rules, as part of the Judiciary Act, establish procedural requirements for initiating and conducting proceedings in the High Court of Australia. Section 1 of the legislative instrument details the commencement and application of these Rules, effective from March 1, 1970, with an allowance for documents printed on folio foolscap paper to be accepted until July 1, 1970, provided they meet the criteria set out in Rule 4 of Order 61. This section ensures a smooth transition to the new paper size while allowing for flexibility in the initial period. Section 2 modifies the titling of proceedings, particularly focusing on the nomenclature used for various types of applications. For instance, the title of an application for a writ of prohibition must specify the writ or order sought and the parties involved, with particular attention to the description of Commonwealth officers. This section delineates clear and precise language to be used in legal documents, thereby ensuring clarity and consistency in the court proceedings. Section 3 addresses the use of the Court Seal, mandating its form and appearance. This amendment ensures that the seal used in official documents maintains a consistent and recognisable format, which is crucial for the authenticity and legality of the documents. Section 4 revises the requirements for documents submitted to the court, specifying that they must be on International Paper Size A4. This standardisation aids in ensuring uniformity and ease of handling across various legal proceedings. The Third Schedule of the Rules is also amended, as detailed in Section 5. These amendments involve updating fee structures and descriptions for various services, such as searching registers and inspecting documents. By doing so, the Rules provide clear guidance on the costs associated with different court services, facilitating transparency and predictability in legal proceedings. Parties and entities governed by these Rules must adhere to the specified procedures and requirements for document formatting, titling, and use of the Court Seal. Non-compliance with these provisions can result in legal complications and potential delays in proceedings. The precise and detailed nature of these Rules ensures that all participants in High Court proceedings are aware of their obligations and the standards expected of them.

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Civil Litigation & Procedure
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
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Commencement Provisions
Definitions & Interpretation
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.