Asuzu v Council of the New South Wales Bar Association [2012] NSWCA 406

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Asuzu v Council of the New South Wales Bar Association [2012] NSWCA 406 Hearing dates: 3 December 2012 Decision date: 10 December 2012 Before: Ward JA Decision: Proceedings summarily dismissal [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE -challenge to competency of appeal - whether Notice of Appeal filed out of time pursuant to Uniform Civil Procedure Rules r 51.61(1)(c) - consideration of material date - reliance by appellant on doctrine of functus officio - effect of liberty to apply - objection to competency raised later than 28 days after Notice of Appeal filed - r 51.41 considered

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application for summary dismissal on the basis that the appeal is frivolous or vexatious pursuant to Uniform Civil Procedure Rules r 13.4 - whether grounds disclose any error of law, fact or discretion that affected the result - application of principles in General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (1964) 112 CLR 125 and Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioner (1949) 78 CLR 62 - whether grounds disclose a reasonably arguable basis for the appeal - whether appeal manifestly groundless

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - whether leave to appeal from costs order required if challenge to substantive orders had been able to be maintained Legislation Cited: Administrative Decisions Tribunal Act 1997 (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) District Court Act 1973 (NSW) Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW) Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Abigroup Ltd v Abignano (1992) 39 FCR 74 Allesch v Maunz (2000) 203 CLR 172 Alvaro v Temple [2009] WASC 205 Austin v Commonwealth (2003) 215 CLR 185; [2003] HCA 3 Australian Executor Trustees Ltd v Pachkovski [2011] NSWCA 23 Brimson v Rocla Concrete Pipes Limited [1982] 2 NSWLR 937 Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioner (1949) 78 CLR 62 Dillon v Gosford City Council [2011] NSWCA 328 Director-General, Family and Community Services Re Felicity [2012] NSWCA 272 Durham v Durham [2011] NSWCA 62 Falamaki v Wollongong City Council [2001] NSWCA 55 Financial Integrity Group Pty Ltd v Farmer and Anor [2009] ACTSC 143 General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (1964) 112 CLR 125 Kassem v Colonial Mutual General Insurance Co Ltd [2001] NSWCA 38 Kogolo v State of Western Australia (No 3) [2012] FCA 1332 Kracke v Mental Health Review Board & Ors (General) [2009] VAT 646 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW) Law Society of New South Wales v Rex [2003] NSWADT 36 Law Society of New South Wales v Rex [2003] NSWADT 148 Maritime Union of Australia v Geraldton Port Authority [2000] FCA 1342 Minister for Immigration v Bhardwaj [2002] 209 CLR 597 Munn for and on behalf of the Gunggari People v State of Queensland (2001) 115 FCR 109 National Australia Bank v Petit-Breuilh (No. 2) (unreported, [1990] VSC395, 18 October 1999 Newmont Yandal Operations Pty Ltd v J Aron Corporation and the Goldman Sachs Group inc & ors [2007] NSWCA 195; (2007) 70 NSWLR 411 Phillips v Walsh (1990) 20 NSWLR 206 Poplar Housing Association Ltd v Donoghue [2002] QB 48 R v Big M Drug Mart Ltd (1985) 18 DLR (3d) 321 R v Green and Quinn [2011] NSWCCA 71 Ragata Developments Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation (unreported, Federal Court, Davies J, 5 March 1993) Re Cameron [1996] 2 Qd R 218 Redcliffe Forestry Venture Ltd v Commissioner of Inland Revenue [2010] NZHC 176; [2011] 1 NZLR 336 Robert John King v The Honourable Terence John Higgins AO and Others [2009] ACTSC153 Shaw v State of New South Wales [2012] NSWCA 102 Simmons v Protective Commissioner of NSW also known as NSW Trustee and Guardian [2012] NSWSC 455 Smith v State of Western Australia [2000] FCA 1249; (2000) 104 FCR 494 Spencer v Commonwealth of Australia (2010) 241 CLR 118 Tame v New South Wales (2002) 211 CLR 317 Tomko v Palasty (No 2) [2007] NSWCA 369 Wheeler v Somerfield [1966] 2 QB 94 Woollahra Municipal Council v Sved (Unreported, New South Wales Court of Appeal, Mason P and Sheller JA, 24 July 1998) Woodbud Pty Ltd v Warea Pty Ltd (1995) 125 FLR 346 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Ignatius Nwafor Asuzu (Appellant/Respondent on Notice of Motion) Council of the New South Wales Bar Association (Respondent/Applicant on Notice of Motion) Representation: Counsel D A McLure (Respondent/Applicant) Solicitors E T Ezekiel-Hart (Solicitor) (Appellant/Respondent) Niger Delta Lawyers & Maritime Services (Appellant/Respondent) Hicksons (Respondent/Applicant) File Number(s): CA 12/294978 Decision under appeal Citation: [2011] NSWADT 209 [2012] NSWADT 104 [2012] NSWADT 183 Before: S Norton SC, R J Wright SC, C Bennett File Number(s): 09/2020, 10/2005