Commonwealth Consolidated Regulations

FEDERAL MAGISTRATES COURT RULES 2001

- made under the Federal Magistrates Act 1999

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

            

CHAPTER 1--All proceedings
            

   PART 1--INTRODUCTION

   1.01.   Name of Rules [see Note 1]  
   1.02.   Commencement  
   1.03.   Objects  
   1.04.   Dictionary  
   1.05.   Application  
   1.06.   Court may dispense with rules  

   PART 2--DOCUMENTS

           Division 2.1--General

   2.01.   Requirements for documents  
   2.02.   Document must have distinctive number  
   2.03.   Document to be signed  
   2.04.   Forms  

           Division 2.2--Filing documents

   2.05.   How documents may be filed  
   2.06.   Registrar may refuse to accept document  
   2.07.   Filing by fax  
   2.07A.  Filing by electronic communication  
   2.07B.  Other requirements for filing by electronic communication  

           Division 2.3--Searching records

   2.08.   Searching records  

           Division 2.4--Seal and stamp of Court

   2.09.   Use of seal of Court  
   2.10.   Stamp of Court  
   2.11.   Methods of attaching the seal or stamp  

   PART 3--SITTINGS, REGISTRY HOURS AND TIME

           Division 3.1--Sittings, holidays and registry hours

   3.01.   Sittings  
   3.02.   Registry hours  

           Division 3.2--Time

   3.03.   Meaning of month  
   3.04.   Calculating time  
   3.05.   Extension or shortening of time fixed  

   PART 4--STARTING PROCEEDINGS

   4.01.   Application  
   4.02.   Content of application  
   4.03.   Response to application  
   4.04.   Content of response  
   4.05.   Affidavit to be filed with application or response  
   4.07.   Reply in certain circumstances  
   4.08.   Application in a case  

   PART 5--URGENT APPLICATIONS

   5.01.   Urgent application  
   5.02.   Form of application  
   5.03.   Evidence  

   PART 6--SERVICE

           Division 6.1--General

   6.01.   Address for service  
   6.02.   Change of address for service  
   6.03.   Service of documents  
   6.04.   Court's discretion in relation to service  
   6.05.   Affidavit of service  

           Division 6.2--Service by hand in particular cases

   6.06.   When is service by hand required  
   6.07.   Service by hand  
   6.08.   Service by hand on a corporation, unincorporated association or organisation  
   6.09.   Service of application on unregistered business  
   6.10.   Service of application on partnership  

           Division 6.3--Ordinary service

   6.11.   Service other than by hand  
   6.12.   When service is effected by post  
   6.13.   Special requirements for service by fax  

           Division 6.4--Substituted service and dispensing with service

   6.14.   Substituted service  
   6.15.   Matters to be taken into account  
   6.16.   Failure to comply with condition  

           Division 6.5--Time for service

   6.17.   General time limit  
   6.18.   Time for service of subpoena  
   6.19.   Time for service of applications  

   PART 7--AMENDMENT

           Division 7.1--General

   7.01.   Power to amend  
   7.02.   Who may be required to make amendment  

           Division 7.2--General federal law proceedings

   7.03.   Amendment after limitation period  

   PART 8--TRANSFER OF PROCEEDINGS

   8.01.   Change of venue  
   8.02.   Transfer to Federal Court or Family Court  
   8.03.   Proceeding transferred to Federal Court or Family Court  
   8.04.   Proceeding transferred from Federal Court or Family Court  
   8.05.   Proceeding transferred from Federal Court or Family Court  

   PART 9--LAWYERS

   9.01.   Change between acting in person and by lawyer  
   9.02.   Change of lawyer  
   9.03.   Withdrawal as lawyer  
   9.04.   Corporation must be represented  

   PART 10--HOW TO CONDUCT PROCEEDINGS

           Division 10.1--First court date

   10.01.  Directions and orders  
   10.02.  Adjournment of first court date  
   10.03.  Fixing date for final hearing  

           Division 10.2--Dispute Resolution

   10.04.  Agreement reached by dispute resolution  
   10.05.  Conciliation conference  

           Division 10.3--Notice of constitutional matter

   10.06.  Party to file notice of constitutional matter  

   PART 11--PARTIES AND LITIGATION GUARDIANS

           Division 11.1--Parties

   11.01.  Necessary parties  
   11.02.  Party may include another person as a party  
   11.03.  Person may apply to be included  
   11.04.  Party may apply to be removed  
   11.05.  Court may order notice to be given  
   11.06.  Intervention by Attorney-General  
   11.07.  Child to whom state welfare law applies  

           Division 11.2--Litigation guardian

   11.08.  Person who needs a litigation guardian  
   11.09.  Starting, continuing, defending or inclusion in proceeding  
   11.10.  Who may be a litigation guardian  
   11.11.  Appointment of litigation guardian  
   11.12.  Authorised persons  
   11.13.  Notice of becoming litigation guardian  
   11.14.  Costs and expenses of litigation guardian  
   11.15.  Service  

   PART 12--REFERRAL BY COURT FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE

   12.01.  Object of Part  
   12.02.  Pro bono panel  
   12.03.  Referral to a lawyer  
   12.03A. Further direction  
   12.04.  Kind of assistance  
   12.05.  Provision of assistance by lawyer  
   12.06.  Application for leave  
   12.07.  Professional fees and disbursements  

   PART 13--ENDING A PROCEEDING EARLY

           Division 13.1--Discontinuance

   13.01.  Discontinuance  
   13.02.  Costs  

           Division 13.1A--Order or judgment on default

   13.03.  Definitions  
   13.03A. When a party is in default  
   13.03B. Orders on default  
   13.03C. Default of appearance of a party  
   13.03D. Court's powers in relation to contempt etc not affected  

           Division 13.2--Consent orders

   13.04.  Application for order by consent  
   13.05.  Additional information  

           Division 13.3--Summary disposal and stay

   13.07.  Disposal by summary judgment  
   13.08.  Residue of proceeding  
   13.09.  Application  
   13.10.  Disposal by summary dismissal  
   13.11.  Vexatious litigants  

   PART 14--DISCLOSURE

           Division 14.1--Answers to specific questions

   14.01.  Declaration to allow specific questions  

           Division 14.2--Obligation to disclose

   14.02.  Declaration to allow discovery  
   14.03.  Affidavit of documents  
   14.04.  Production of documents to Court  
   14.05.  Claim for privilege  
   14.06.  Order for particular disclosure  
   14.07.  Inspection of documents  
   14.08.  Copies of documents inspected  
   14.09.  Documents not disclosed or produced  
   14.10.  Documents referred to in document or affidavit  
   14.11.  Use of documents  

   PART 15--EVIDENCE

           Division 15.1--General

   15.01.  Court may give directions  
   15.02.  Evidence if there is an independent children's lawyer  
   15.03.  Decisions without oral hearing  
   15.04.  Court may call evidence  
   15.05.  Hearsay evidence -- notice under section 67 of the Evidence Act 1995  
   15.06.  Transcript receivable in evidence  

           Division 15.2--Expert evidence

   15.06A. Definition  
   15.07.  Duty to Court and form of expert evidence  
   15.08.  Expert evidence for 2 or more parties  
   15.09.  Court expert  
   15.10.  Report of court expert  
   15.11.  Remuneration and expenses of court expert  
   15.12.  Further expert evidence  

           Division 15.3--Subpoenas and notices to produce

   15.13A. Definitions for Division 15.3  
   15.13.  Issue of subpoena  
   15.14.  Time limits  
   15.15.  Limit on number of subpoenas  
   15.16.  Service  
   15.17.  Conduct money  
   15.17A. Undertaking not to require compliance with subpoena  
   15.18.  Setting aside subpoena  
   15.19.  Order for cost of complying with subpoena  
   15.20.  Cost of complying with subpoena if not a party  
   15.21.  Production by person not a party  
   15.22.  Order for inspection  
   15.23.  Failure to comply with subpoena  
   15.24.  Notice to produce  

           Division 15.4--Affidavits

   15.25.  Form of affidavit  
   15.26.  Making an affidavit  
   15.27.  Affidavit of illiterate or vision impaired person etc  
   15.28.  Documents annexed or exhibited  
   15.29.  Objectionable material may be struck out  
   15.29A. Use of affidavit without cross-examination of maker  

           Division 15.5--Admissions

   15.30.  Admission  
   15.31.  Notice to admit facts or documents  

   PART 16--JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS

   16.01.  Court may make any judgment or order  
   16.02.  Date of effect  
   16.03.  Time for compliance  
   16.04.  Fines  
   16.05.  Setting aside  
   16.06.  Undertakings  
   16.07.  When must an order be entered  
   16.08.  Entry of orders  

   PART 17--SEPARATE DECISION ON QUESTION

   17.01.  Definition  
   17.02.  Order for decision  
   17.03.  Separate question  
   17.04.  Orders, directions on decision  
   17.05.  Disposal of proceeding  

   PART 18--REFERRAL OF MATTER TO OFFICER OF COURT

   18.01.  Court may refer matter  

   PART 19--CONTEMPT

   19.01.  Contempt in the face or hearing of Court  
   19.02.  Contempt other than in the face or hearing of Court  

   PART 20--REGISTRARS' POWERS

           Division 20.1--Delegation of powers to Registrars

   20.00A. Delegation of powers to Registrars  

           Division 20.2--Review of exercise of Registrars' powers

   20.01.  Time for application for review  
   20.02.  Application for review  
   20.03.  Procedure for review  

   PART 21--COSTS

           Division 21.1--Security for costs

   21.01.  Security for costs  

           Division 21.2--Orders for costs

   21.02.  Order for costs  
   21.03.  Determination of maximum costs  
   21.04.  Costs reserved  
   21.05.  Costs if proceedings transferred  
   21.07.  Order for costs against lawyer  
   21.08.  Interest on outstanding costs  

           Division 21.3--Costs and disbursements

   21.09.  Application  
   21.10.  Costs and disbursements  
   21.11.  Taxation of costs  
   21.12.  Expenses for attendance by witness  
   21.13.  Expenses for preparation of report by expert  
   21.14.  Solicitor as advocate  
   21.15.  Advocacy certificate  
   21.16.  Counsel as advocate  
            

CHAPTER 2--Family law and child support proceedings
            

   PART 22--GENERAL

   22.01.  Rate of interest  

   PART 23--FAMILY COUNSELLING AND FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION

           Division 23.1--Family counselling, family dispute resolution and family reports

   23.01A. Family reports  
   23.01.  Report after family counselling or family dispute resolution  

           Division 23.2--Family dispute resolution

   23.02.  Referral for family dispute resolution  

   PART 24--FINANCIAL MATTERS

   24.01.  Application of Part  
   24.01A. Interpretation  
   24.02.  Financial statement  
   24.03.  Full and frank disclosure  
   24.04.  Production of documents (proceeding other than for maintenance only)  
   24.05.  Production of documents (proceedings for maintenance only)  
   24.06.  Amendment of financial statement  
   24.07.  Service of application or order for superannuation interest  

   PART 25--DIVORCE

           Division 25.1--Application

   25.01.  Application for divorce order  
   25.02.  Service of application  
   25.03.  Additional requirements for service by post  
   25.04.  Acknowledgment of service  
   25.05.  Affidavit of service  
   25.06.  Evidence of service  
   25.07.  Evidence of signature and identity of person served  

           Division 25.2--Response

   25.08.  Response  
   25.10.  Time for filing response  

           Division 25.3--Attendance at hearing

   25.11.  Attendance at hearing by electronic communication  
   25.12.  Failure to attend hearing  

           Division 25.4--Hearing in absence of parties

   25.13.  Seeking a hearing in absence of parties  
   25.14.  Hearing in absence of parties -- joint application  
   25.15.  Request not to hear case in parties' absence  

           Division 25.5--Events affecting divorce order

   25.16.  Application for rescission of divorce order  
   25.17.  Discontinuance of application  
   25.18.  Death of party  

   PART 25A--CHILD SUPPORT AND CHILD MAINTENANCE

   25A.01. Application of Part 25A  
   25A.02. Commencing proceedings  
   25A.03. Documents to be filed with applications  
   25A.04. Child support agreements  
   25A.05. Appeals from the SSAT or Child Support Registrar  
   25A.06. Time limits  
   25A.07. Service of application or notice of appeal  
   25A.08. Evidence to be provided  

   PART 25B--ENFORCEMENT

           Division 25B.1--Applications for contravention of orders

   25B.01. Application of Division 25B.1  
   25B.02. How to apply for an order  
   25B.03. Failure of respondent to attend  
   25B.04. Procedure at hearing  
   25B.05. Application of Order 33 of Family Law Rules 1984  

           Division 25B.3--Location and recovery orders

   25B.06. Application of Division 25B.3  
   25B.07. Application for order under Division 25B.3  
   25B.08. Service of recovery order  
   25B.09. Application for directions for execution of recovery order  

           Division 25B.4--Warrants for arrest

   25B.10. Application for warrant  
   25B.11. Execution of warrant  
   25B.12. Duration of warrant  
   25B.13. Procedure after arrest  
   25B.14. Application for release or setting aside warrant  
            

CHAPTER 3--Proceedings other than family law or child support
            

   PART 26--GENERAL

   26.01.  Rate of interest  

   PART 27--DISPUTE RESOLUTION

           Division 27.1--General

   27.01.  Proceeding referred to mediator or arbitrator  
   27.02.  Adjournment of proceeding  
   27.03.  Court may end mediation or arbitration  

           Division 27.2--Mediation

   27.04.  Nomination of mediator  
   27.05.  Mediation conference  
   27.06.  Mediator may end mediation  

           Division 27.3--Arbitration

   27.07.  Appointment of arbitrator  

   PART 28--CROSS-CLAIMS

   28.01.  Cross-claim against applicant  
   28.02.  Cross-claim after application  
   28.03.  Cross-claim against additional party  
   28.04.  Cross-claim to be included in response  
   28.05.  Response to cross-claim  
   28.06.  Conduct of cross-claim  
   28.07.  Exclusion of cross-claim  
   28.08.  Cross-claim after judgment etc  
   28.09.  Judgment for balance  
   28.10.  Stay of claim  
   28.11.  Cross-claim for contribution or indemnity  
   28.12.  Offer of contribution  
            

CHAPTER 5--Human rights proceedings
            

   PART 41--PROCEEDINGS ALLEGING UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION

   41.01.  Application of Chapter  
   41.02.  Interpretation  
   41.02A. Form of application  
   41.03.  Copy of application to be given to Commission  
   41.04.  Form of response to application  
   41.05.  Appearance by special-purpose Commissioner  
            

CHAPTER 6--Judicial review proceedings and administrative appeals
            

   PART 42--PROCEEDINGS UNDER ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS

   42.01.  Application of Part  
   42.02.  Application for order of review  
   42.03.  Documents to be filed  
   42.04.  Notice of objection to competency  

   PART 43--APPEALS FROM ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL

   43.01.  Application of Part  
   43.02.  Stay  
   43.03.  Amendment by supplementary notice  
   43.04.  Notice of cross-appeal and contention  
   43.05.  Directions  
   43.06.  Preparation of appeal papers  

   PART 44--PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE

           Division 44.1--Preliminary

   44.01.  Definitions for Part 44  
   44.02.  Application of Part 44  
   44.03.  Application of Chapters 1 and 3  

           Division 44.2--Matters commenced in the Court

   44.04.  Application of Division 44.2  
   44.05.  Application for order to show cause  
   44.06.  Response to application  

           Division 44.3--Matters remitted by the High Court

   44.07.  Application of Division 44.3  
   44.08.  Filing of order of remittal  
   44.09.  Service of notice and order  

           Division 44.4--General

   44.10.  Stay of proceedings  
   44.11.  First court date  
   44.12.  Show cause hearing  
   44.13.  Relief and grounds  
   44.14.  Writs  
   44.15.  Costs  
            

CHAPTER 7--Fair Work Division
            

   PART 45--PROCEEDINGS IN THE FAIR WORK DIVISION

           Division 45.1--General

   45.01.  Definitions for Part 45  
   45.02.  Expressions used in the Workplace Relations Act, the Fair Work Act and the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act  
   45.03.  Application of Part 45  

           Division 45.2--Unlawful termination of employment

   45.04.  Application in relation to alleged unlawful termination of employment (Workplace Relations Act)  
   45.05.  Application in relation to other alleged contraventions of the Workplace Relations Act  

           Division 45.3--Contraventions of the Fair Work Act

   45.06.  Application in relation to dismissal from employment in contravention of a general protection (Fair Work Act, s 539 (2), table, item 11)  
   45.07.  Application in relation to alleged unlawful termination of employment (Fair Work Act, s 539 (2), table, item 35)  
   45.08.  Application in relation to other alleged contraventions of Fair Work Act general protections  
   45.09.  Application in relation to other alleged contraventions of the Fair Work Act  

           Division 45.4--Small claims

   45.10.  Definitions for Division 4  
   45.11.  Small claims procedure  
   45.12.  Starting proceedings  
   45.13.  Lawyers  

           Division 45.5--Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act

   45.14.  Applications  
           SCHEDULE 1 Costs
           SCHEDULE 3 Family Law Rules and Federal Court Rules applied
           SCHEDULE 5 Family Law Rules 1984, Order 33, modified