Dunstan v Orr [2022] FCA 1006

Federal Court of Australia Dunstan v Orr [2022] FCA 1006 File number: ACD 93 of 2021

Judgment of: WIGNEY J

Date of judgment: 29 August 2022

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – applicant's application for recusal on the grounds of actual and apprehended bias – recusal application proceeded on the papers due to applicant seeking adjournment of the hearing without prior notice – actual bias claim based on various case management decisions in the conduct of the proceeding – apprehended bias claim made on similar basis, including reference to past professional associations – applicant claims to be a person of public notoriety – has extensive involvement in past legal proceedings –consideration of legal principles concerning actual and apprehended bias – no sound basis for either allegation of bias established – application dismissed – costs awarded

Legislation: Public Service Act 1922 (Cth) Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) Legal Profession Act 2006 (ACT)

Cases cited: AJH Lawyers Pty Ltd v Careri (2011) 34 VR 236; [2011] VSCA 425 Antoun v R (2006) 224 ALR 51; [2006] HCA 2 British American Tobacco Australia Services Limited v Laurie (2011) 242 CLR 283; [2011] HCA 2 Concrete Pty Limited v Parramatta Design & Developments Pty Ltd (2006) 229 CLR 577; [2006] HCA 55 CUR24 v Director of Public Prosecutions (2012) 83 NSWLR 385; [2012] NSWCA 65 Doggett v Commonwealth Bank of Australia [2019] FCAFC 19 DOQ17 v Australian Financial Security Authority (No 2) (2018) 363 ALR 681; [2018] FCA 1270 Downey v Acting District Court Judge Boulton (No 5) (2010) 78 NSWLR 499; [2010] NSWCA 240 Dunstan v Orr (2008) 217 FCR 559; [2008] FCA 31 Eastman v The Queen (2015) 295 FLR 426; [2015] ACTCA 24 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 337; [2000] HCA 63 Gamaethige v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (2001) 109 FCR 424; [2001] FCA 565 Hamod v State of New South Wales (No 11) [2008] NSWSC 967 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 IOOF Australia Trustees Ltd v SEAS Sapfor Forests Pty Ltd (1999) 78 SASR 151; [1999] SASC 249 Johnson v Johnson (2000) 201 CLR 488; [2000] HCA 48 Knaggs v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (2007) 170 A Crim R 366; [2007] NSWCA 83 Laws v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1990) 170 CLR 70; [1990] HCA 31 Michael Wilson & Partners Limited v Nicholls (2011) 244 CLR 427; [2011] HCA 48 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Jia Legeng (2001) 205 CLR 507; [2001] HCA 17 R v George (1987) 9 NSWLR 527 Re J.R.L.; Ex parte C.J.L (1986) 161 CLR 342; [1986] HCA 39 Royal Guardian Mortgage Management Pty Ltd v Nguyen (2016) 332 ALR 128; [2016] NSWCA 88 Rush v Nationwide News Pty Limited (No 8) [2019] FCA 1382 Singh v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (unreported, Federal Court, Lockhart J, No 902/96, 18 October 1996) Spalla v St George Wholesale Finance Pty Ltd [2006] FCA 416 Sun v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1997) 81 FCR 71 SZCOS v Minister for Immigration & Citizenship [2008] FCA 570 Vakauta v Kelly (1989) 167 CLR 568; [1989] HCA 44 Wannakuwattewa v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (unreported, Federal Court, North J, No VG451/1994, 24 June 1996)