ByLawyers News and Updates

Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) – Jurisdiction – Interstate disputes

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The recent High Court decision in Burns v Corbett [2018] HCA 15 confirms that state tribunals do not have jurisdiction in interstate disputes, unless the tribunal is constituted as a state court. The decision only concerned the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal and confirms the NCAT does not have jurisdiction in interstate disputes. This may affect the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal as there is doubt over whether or not QCAT is constituted as a state court.

Where claims involve interstate disputes, careful consideration of the appropriate forum is required.

McKenzie Friend – A friend in need

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A McKenzie Friend (MF) is someone who assists an unrepresented person in court. They can be a lawyer, but they are not a substitute for a lawyer. So lawyer or not, when acting as a MF they may not address the court; they can take notes, organise papers, whisper quietly to and generally assist the litigant. McKenzie v McKenzie (1970) 3 W.L.R 472 was a family law case and MFs are more common in family and guardianship matters, but they may be permitted in any court where an unrepresented person needs assistance to ensure fairness. However, some MFs are overbearing do-gooders, or bush lawyers, who cause disruption and delay rather than actually assist and will not be permitted to remain. In guardianship hearings where there is no right of representation, a lawyer can act as a MF.

NSW – Supreme Court – Equity Division and Common Law Division – Appeals – Practice Note SC CA 1

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Information has been added to the Act for Plaintiff and Act for Defendant commentaries in both the Supreme Court Common Law and Equity Guides to incorporate the requirements of Practice Note No. SC CA 1  which was issued on 13 December 2017 and which commenced on 1 January 2018.

All parties to proceedings in the Court of Appeal are required to comply with the requirements contained in  Part 51 UCPR (appeals) and Part 59 UCPR ( judicial review).  The Practice Note makes additional  provision for the  preparation and conduct of proceedings in the Court of Appeal.

VIC – Emailing in the Supreme Court

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The Supreme Court (Chapter I Email Service Amendment) Rules 2017 which come into effect on 1 August 2017 requires parties in civil matters to include an email address for service in documents filed with the Court and provide that ordinary service may be effected by email to that address.

Documents are to be served either as attachments to a covering email or by including in the email an operative hyperlink to the documents being served.

District Court Civil NSW

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NOVEMBER
  •  Brand new guide added – ‘Reference Manual – 101 Subpoena Answers for NSW’
OCTOBER
  • Acting for the Defendant and Acting for the Plaintiff Guides
    • Commentaries added on service outside of Australia
    • Commentaries added on list of exhibits
  • Costs Agreement
    • Included reference to time limit for bringing costs assessment included total estimate of legal costs section with provision for variables and included authority to receive money into trust.
    • Disputes section improved, fields for client and firm details added, trust account details added, solicitor’s lien added, execution clauses for individuals and corporations added and general formatting and grammatical improvements.

 

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