Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ACT 1976 - SECT 18M

             (1)  The Chief Justice may, in writing, appoint a person to act in the office of Registrar:

                     (a)  during a vacancy in the office (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or

                     (b)  during any period, or during all periods, when the Registrar is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

             (2)  A person appointed to act in the office of Registrar during a vacancy may not continue to act in that office for more than 12 months.

             (3)  Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under subsection (1) is not invalid on the ground that:

                     (a)  the occasion for the appointment had not arisen; or

                     (b)  there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment; or

                     (c)  the appointment had ceased to have effect; or

                     (d)  the occasion for the person to act had not arisen or had ceased.