Industrial Relations Court Rules (Amendment)

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Statutory Rules 1994   No. 1451

__________________

Industrial Relations Court Rules 2 (Amendment)

WE, Judges of the Industrial Relations Court of Australia, make the following Rules of Court under the Industrial Relations  Act 1988.

 

 M. R. WILCOX C.J.

 R. M. NORTHROP J

 J. E. J. SPENDER J

 P. R. A. GRAY J

 D. M. RYAN J

 M. C. LEE J

 J. W. VON DOUSSA J

 M. F. MOORE J

 M. J. BEAZLEY J

 Judges of the Industrial

 Relations Court of Australia

 

 

A. DAWSON

Registrar

____________


1. Order 9 is amended as follows:

 (a) by omitting from subrule (1) of rule 1, the word “solicitor”, and substituting the words and figures “solicitor, by a person authorised to represent a party by or under section 469 of the Act”;

 (b) by omitting from subrule (3) of rule 1 the words “Notwithstanding subrule (1) and subject to any Act,” and substituting the words ‘“Except as is permitted under subrule (1) or any Act”;

 (c) by inserting into subrule (2) of rule 3, after the word “solicitor”, the words “or person”; and

 (d) by omitting from paragraph (b) of subrule (1) of rule 4 all the words after “solicitor” and substituting the words “or person authorised to represent a party by or under section 469 of the Act, the name, address and telephone number of the solicitor or person”.

2. Order 75 is amended as follows:

(a) by omitting rule 2 and substituting the following new rule:

 “2. A case to which this Order applies must be commenced                             by filing an application substantially in accordance with                             Form 132 together with an affidavit containing the                                           following information:

 (a) the nature of the person’s employment with the respondent;

 (b) the name of the award or enterprise agreement, if any,  under which the person is or was employed;

 (c) if that award or enterprise agreement was not made under a law of the Commonwealth, the name of the State or Territory under whose law it was made;

 (d) the dates of commencement and termination, or proposed termination, of the person’s employment with the respondent;

 (e) the reason, if any, given by or on behalf of the respondent for the respondent’s decision to terminate the person’s employment; and

 (f) the date on which written notice, if any, of the termination was received by the person.”


(b) by omitting rule 3 and substituting the following new rule:

 “3. In a case to which this Order applies, the respondent                must file with the appearance an affidavit in which the                             respondent, or an officer of the respondent with personal                             knowledge of the facts, indicates:

 (a) which, if any, of the matters stated by the applicant under paragraphs (a) to (f) of rule 2 are disputed;

 (b) in relation to any of the matters that are disputed, the respondent’s contention as to the true position;

 (c) the reason, according to the respondent, for the respondent’s decision to terminate the person’s employment; and

 (d) if the respondent contends that there is available to the person an adequate alternative remedy, in respect of the termination, under existing machinery that satisfies the requirements of the Termination of Employment Convention (see section 170EB of the Act), the nature of that remedy”.

(c) by omitting from rule 4:

 (a) the words “solicitors for” and substituting the words “solicitors for, or representatives of,”; and

 (b) the figures and symbols “170EB” and substituting the figures and symbols “170EC”.

3. The First Schedule is amended by adding thereto the following Form 132:


FIRST SCHEDULE

FORM l32

 

APPLICATION UNDER SECTION 170EA

OF THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT 1988

 

 

This application is made in respect of the termination of the employment of (“the employee”). The applicant claims:

 

1. (a) an order declaring the termination of the employer’s employment of the employee to have contravened Division 3 of Part VlA of the Industrial Relations Act 1988 (“the Act”);

 (b) an order requiring the respondent to reinstate the employee in employment; and

  (c) an order that the respondent pay compensation to the employee.

 

2. Such other order or orders as will put the employee in the same position (as nearly as can be done) as if the employment of the employee by the respondent had not been terminated: see section 170EE of the Act.

 

 

(Delete any paragraphs that are inapplicable to the claim and add any additional orders sought).

 

    Date: e.g. 7 May 19     .

 

    (Signed, applicant, trade union representative or solicitor)

 

    To the respondent (address)


FIRST SCHEDULE—continued

 

A directions hearing will be held by the Court at the time and place specified below. If there is no attendance before the Court by you or by your counsel, solicitor, or other representative, the application may be dealt with, and judgment given or an order made, in your absence. Before any attendance at that time you or your solicitor or other representative must file an appearance in the Registry.

 

Time: (Date and time to be entered by Registry unless fixed by Court).

 

 Place: (Address of Court)

 

(Where the time for service  has been abridged, add)

 

The time by which this application is to be served has been abridged by the Court to (specify time).

 

Date: e.g. 7 May 19        .

(Signed, Registrar)

 

The applicant’s address for service is (specify address for service).

 

 

The applicant’s address is (state residence).

 

 

 

NOTE: THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE SERVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND NOT LESS THAN FIVE WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE DIRECTIONS HEARING, UNLESS THE COURT OTHERWISE ORDERS.

 


FIRST SCHEDULE—continued

 

 

IN THE INDUSTRIAL  RELATIONS )

COURT OF AUSTRALIA            )

 DISTRICT REGISTRY   ) No. of 199

 

 

 

 BETWEEN:

 

  Applicant

 

 AND:

 

  Respondent

 

 

APPLICANT’S AFFIDAVIT

 

 

 

On                                              1994, I

 

of

 

in the State/Territory of

say on oath—

1.   I am the abovenamed applicant.

 or

 

1.   I am an officer of

          ,

a trade union, as defined by section 4 of the Industrial Relations Act  1988. The information set out in this affidavit is made after inquiry by me and is accurate to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.

 

2.  In compliance with Order 75 of the Rules of this Court I supply the following information:

 (a) The nature of the employee’s employment with the respondent is/was


FIRST SCHEDULE—continued

 

 (b) The award or enterprise agreement under which the employee is/was employed is:

 (c) The award or enterprise agreement was made under a law of:

   the Commonwealth;

   the State/Territory of                                                  .

(Delete whichever is inapplicable).

 (d) The date the employee started work with the respondent was                                                                                    .

 (e) The date of termination/proposed termination of the employee’s employment with the respondent was/is       .

 (f) The reason given by the respondent for dismissing the employee was                                                                   .

 (g) The date on which the employee received notice of the termination was                                                                .

 

 

SWORN at ............................................)

 

...................................................................... )

 

before me ............................................)


FIRST SCHEDULE—continued

 

 

IN THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS   )

COURT OF AUSTRALIA            )

                        DISTRICT REGISTRY) No. of 199

 

BETWEEN:

 

       Applicant

 

AND:

 

       Respondent

 

 

RESPONDENT’S AFFIDAVIT

 

On          ,                  1994, I

of

in the State/Territory of                                                                      ,

say on oath —

 

1. I am the abovenamed respondent.

 or

1. I am the of the respondent and have

     personal knowledge of the facts of this case.

 

2.  I have read the affidavit of the applicant filed in this proceeding and supplying information required by Order 75 of the Rules of this Court.

 

3.  I dispute the correctness of the information set out in paragraphs (specify disputed paragraphs) of that affidavit. In relation to those paragraphs, I say the true position is (here state the respondent’s contention as to the true position in relation to each paragraph).

 (If none of the applicant’s information is disputed, delete this  paragraph).

 

4. The reason for the respondent’s decision to terminate the employee’s employment is                                                           .

 

FIRST SCHEDULE—continued

 

5. The respondent contends that there is available to the employee an adequate alternative remedy, in respect of the termination, under existing machinery that satisfies the requirements of the Termination of Employment Convention, namely (specify the alternative remedy).

 

 (If the respondent does not contend that there is an adequate  alternative remedy, delete this paragraph) .

 

 

Sworn at ............................)

...........................................)

 

before me ..........................)

...........................................)

 

 

___________________________________________________________

NOTES

1. Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on  30 May 1994.

2. Statutory Rules 1994 No. 110.

Overview

The Industrial Relations Court Rules 2 (Amendment) Statutory Rules 1994 No. 1451, made under the authority of the Industrial Relations Act 1988, aim to streamline and update the procedural rules of the Industrial Relations Court of Australia. This legislative instrument was introduced to address gaps in the procedural aspects of the court's operations, ensuring they align with contemporary legal practices and statutory requirements. The amendments include clarifying who can represent parties in the court, updating the requirements for filing applications related to employment terminations, and refining the information that must be included in affidavits. The policy objective of these amendments is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the court's processes, ensuring fair and timely resolutions of industrial relations disputes.

Scope and Application

The Industrial Relations Court Rules 1994 (Amendment) No. 1451, made under the authority of the Industrial Relations Act 1988, amend the procedural rules of the Industrial Relations Court of Australia. These amendments primarily focus on altering the types of individuals authorised to represent parties in proceedings related to employment termination disputes. The amendments allow for representation by individuals authorised under section 469 of the Act, in addition to traditional legal representatives such as solicitors. This change expands the scope of who can initiate and participate in proceedings before the Industrial Relations Court, potentially enhancing access to justice for employees and employers by enabling representation by authorised persons rather than strictly legal practitioners. The amendments also revise the format and content of applications and affidavits required for cases involving termination of employment, ensuring that all necessary details are provided to facilitate efficient and fair adjudication of disputes. These rules apply nationally across Australia, with the Industrial Relations Court having jurisdiction over matters arising under the Industrial Relations Act 1988, thereby ensuring consistent application of employment laws throughout the country.

Key Provisions

The Industrial Relations Court Rules 1994 (Amendment) introduce specific amendments to streamline the process of initiating and managing proceedings related to the termination of employment. According to the main operative sections, Order 9 has been amended to allow the filing of documents by authorised representatives, not just solicitors, under section 469 of the Industrial Relations Act 1988 (section 1(a)). Additionally, Order 75 now mandates that an application for termination of employment must be filed with a detailed affidavit outlining specific employment details and reasons for termination (section 2). The respondent is required to file an affidavit in response, detailing any disputed matters and the rationale for the employment termination (section 2(b)). The Act imposes clear obligations on both applicants and respondents. Applicants must file an application with an accompanying affidavit that includes precise details about the employment, including the nature of the employment, relevant awards or agreements, employment dates, and reasons for termination (Order 75(2)). Respondents must respond with an affidavit that identifies any disputed facts, provides their perspective on those facts, and explains the reason for the employment termination (Order 75(3)). This structured approach ensures transparency and clarity in the proceedings. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, the Industrial Relations Act 1988 typically includes provisions for fines and other legal actions for non-compliance with court orders and procedural rules. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the rules to avoid potential legal repercussions.

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