Mbuzi v Wordsworth (Recusal Application) [2024] FCA 132

Federal Court of Australia

Mbuzi v Wordsworth (Recusal Application) [2024] FCA 132 File number(s): QUD 523 of 2023

Judgment of: MEAGHER J

Date of judgment: 26 February 2024

Catchwords: COURTS AND JUDGES – Bias – Reasonable apprehension of bias – Whether fair-minded lay observer might reasonably apprehend that judge might not bring an impartial mind to the hearing of the proceeding – Whether previous employment with a law firm might result in a reasonable apprehension of bias – Whether conduct during a case management hearing might result in a reasonable apprehension of bias – Whether approach in dealing with recusal application might result in a reasonable apprehension of bias – Knowledge and characteristics attributed to fair-minded lay observer – Whether logical connection is established – Application dismissed

Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss37M, 37N.

Cases cited: Aussie Airlines Pty Ltd v Australian Airlines Pty Ltd & Qantas Airlines Ltd (1996) 65 FCR 215 Australian National Industries Ltd v Spedley Securities Ltd (in liq) (1992) 26 NSWLR 411 Bainton v Rajski (1992) 29 NSWLR 539 Barton v Walker (1979) 2 NSWLR 740 Burgess v Minister for Immigration & Border Protection (2018) 259 FCR 197 Dunstan v Orr [2022] FCA 1006 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [2000] HCA 63 Johnson v Johnson (2000) 201 CLR 488 QYFM v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2023] HCA 15 Re Polites; Ex parte The Hoyts Corporation Pty Ltd (1991) 173 CLR 78 S & M Motor Repairs Pty Ltd v Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd (1988) 12 NSWLR 358 Wentworth v Graham (2003) NSWCA 240