Skiba v Australian Information Commissioner [2023] FCA 1467

Federal Court of Australia

Skiba v Australian Information Commissioner [2023] FCA 1467 Appeal from: Skiba v Australian Information Commissioner [2022] FCA 1171

File number(s): NSD 878 of 2022

Judgment of: PERRY J

Date of judgment: 24 November 2023

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – whether a final costs order is interlocutory in nature such that an appeal from a costs order requires leave to appeal under s 24(1A) of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – held: a final costs order is final in nature taking its character in a chameleon like nature from the final orders disposing of the substantive issues PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for an extension of time within which to appeal order as to costs – reasonable explanation for the delay – whether the respondent's conduct contributed to the bringing of the claim – whether the primary judge automatically ordered that costs should follow the event – where any appeal would have insufficient prospects of success– application dismissed

Legislation: Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 24, 25(1), 43(2) Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth)

Cases cited: Aldi Foods Pty Ltd v Transport Workers Union of Australia [2020] FCAFC 231; (2020) 282 FCR 179 Barodawala v Giasoumi [2015] FCA 608 Bechara v Bates [2018] FCA 460 Carr v Finance Corporation of Australia (No 1) [1981] HCA 20; 147 CLR 246 CQX18 v Minister for Home Affairs [2019] FCAFC 142; (2019) 372 ALR 137 DQA16 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2018] FCA 2086 Ejueyitsi v Bond University [2014] FCA 587 Fuller v Toms [2012] FCAFC 155 House v R [1936] HCA 40; (1936) 55 CLR 499 Hunter Valley Developments Pty Ltd v Cohen [1984] FCA 176; (1984) 3 FCR 344 Katoa v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2022] HCA 28; (2022) 178 ALD 573 Kyriackou v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) [2010] FCA 253 Les Laboratoires Servier v Apotex Pty Ltd [2016] FCAFC 27; (2016) 247 FCR 61 Licul v Corney [1976] HCA 6; (1976) 180 CLR 213 Oshlack v Richmond River Council [1998] HCA 11; (1998) 193 CLR 72 Patial v Kailash Lawyers Pty Ltd trading as Kailash Lawyers and Consultants [2023] FCA 217 Peczalski v Comcare [1999] FCA 366; (1999) 58 ALD 697 Probiotec Ltd v University of Melbourne [2008] FCAFC 5; (2008) 166 FCR 30 Re Luck [2003] HCA 70; (2003) 203 ALR 1 Ruddock v Vadarlis (No 2) [2001] FCA 1865; (2001) 115 FCR 229 Shelton v Repatriation Commission [1999] FCA 181; (1999) 85 FCR 587 Singh v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2017] FCAFC 195 Skiba v Australian Information Commissioner [2022] FCA 1171 Tate v Rafin [2000] FCA 1582 Tukala v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services & Multicultural Affairs [2023] FCA 75 Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corp v Walsh [2019] FCAFC 32; (2019) 268 FCR 401 Winn v Leigh [2014] FCA 518