Other Federal Jurisdiction
About this NPA
The Other Federal Jurisdiction National Practice Area (NPA) encompasses cases that do not readily fit into any of the Court’s eight subject-matter NPAs.
Jurisdiction of the Court
The jurisdiction of the Court is described in the About Us section of the website. See further, the Resources section below.
The relationship between the eight subject-matter NPAs and the Other Federal Jurisdiction NPA
The eight subject-matter NPAs do not exhaust the jurisdiction of the Federal Court of Australia. They are the main bodies of work of the Court. Many other matters may, however, be brought in the Court that do not conveniently fit into these NPAs.
This NPA is designed to encompass cases that do not readily fit into any of the other existing NPAs. For instance, cases may arise under a law of the parliament (s 39B(1A)(c)) of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) or otherwise in federal jurisdiction that is conferred on the Court such as cases that are in substance negligence claims for damages (such as under legislation governing civil aviation), or defamation, or cases involving the Court acting as a Court of disputed returns. This list is not by any means exhaustive. If the Court has jurisdiction but the matter does not fall within one of the eight NPAs, the matter will be managed within this NPA.
Allocation of matters in this NPA
Under this NPA, depending on the specialised nature of the subject matter, an allocation will be made under the existing protocols for allocation.
The Court will ensure that the judge allocated to manage a case falling within this NPA has particular expertise in the underlying areas of law in the subject of the proceeding.
Areas of law within this NPA
- Defamation Sub-area: The Defamation Sub-area is a Sub-area within the Other Federal Jurisdiction NPA and covers all manner of defamation disputes within federal jurisdiction, including defamation cases that may arise under a law of the Parliament (s 39B(1A)(c) of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth)).
By way of illustration, other types of claims that are likely to fall within this NPA include:
- Negligence: such as a claim based in common law negligence against the operator of an offshore petroleum project, seeking compensation for losses caused by environmental damage.
- Civil Aviation: such as a claim for damages (alleged assault) made against an airline company under Article 21(1) of the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air 1999 and s 9E of the Civil Aviation (Carrier’s Liability) Act 1959 (Cth).
- Election-related disputes: such as a petition disputing the validity of an election or return - to be heard by the Federal Court as the ‘Court of Disputed Returns’, having such jurisdiction as referred by the High Court, under s 354 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth).
Latest Judgments
- 21 Jan 2022:
Roberts-Smith v Roberts [2022] FCA 18
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - ex parte interlocutory application as part of an originating application filed by applicant, seeking production of documents and affidavit from first respondent in relation to alleged misuse of confidential material from his email account - where documents were produced and an affidavit provided by first respondent in…
Judge: Bromwich J - 22 Dec 2021:
Tweedale v Carnival PLC trading as P&O Cruises [2021] FCA 1633
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application for service outside the jurisdiction - application for substituted service - where applicants propose to effect service on second respondent's solicitor under Civil Procedure Rules 2002 (Vanuatu) - where applicants propose to effect service personally on third respondent under Civil Procedure Rules 2002…
Judge: Perry J - 21 Dec 2021:
Bradshaw v Emirates (Costs) [2021] FCA 1613
COSTS - where applicant was successful on liability - where applicant was made an offer under the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) more favourable than the judgment - where applicant refused the offer - whether respondent is entitled to indemnity costs from after the offer - whether applicant should have the costs up to the offer
Judge: Stewart J - 20 Dec 2021:
Allison v Murphy [2021] FCAFC 232
BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY - funds held in solicitor's trust account when sequestration order was made by registrar - funds transferred to petitioning creditor after sequestration order made - transferred funds less than debt owed to creditor - creditor did not accept tender of payment of debt - whether judge conducted de novo hearing - whether…
Judge: Besanko, Colvin and Downes JJ - 16 Dec 2021:
Frigger v Trenfield (Application for Stay Pending Appeal) [2021] FCA 1605
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - application for stay pending outcome of appeal - where appellants appeal from decision dismissing application for declarations that certain assets administered by trustee in bankruptcy form part of self-managed superannuation fund, compensation for losses and orders disentitling trustee to remuneration in relation to…
Judge: Colvin J
Practice Notes
Due to the broad nature of this NPA, practice notes within the Other Federal Jurisdiction NPA will be developed as necessary. The Defamation Sub-area has a dedicated practice note:
- Defamation Practice Note (DEF-1)
Parties should also be familiar with the guiding case management principles in the Central Practice Note (CPN-1).
To the extent relevant, parties should also be familiar with the general practice notes of the Court, including:
- Expert Evidence (GPN-EXPT)
- Survey Evidence (GPN-SURV)
- Subpoenas and Notices to Produce (GPN-SUBP)
- Access to Documents and Transcripts (GPN-ACCS)
- Costs (GPN-COSTS)
Forms, Rules & Fees
Due to the potentially broad range of actions relevant to this NPA it is impractical to provide an exhaustive list of forms and rules. However, below are some of the potentially relevant forms and rules for some proceedings commenced in this NPA:
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Parties should consider whether it is necessary to file a Genuine Steps Statement (Form 16) in certain proceedings in this NPA – see r 8.02 of the Federal Court Rules and the Civil Dispute Resolution Act 2011 (Cth) (including sections 6, 7 and 16).
Filing fees for commencing a proceeding in this NPA may apply. Information about Court fees, including the fees payable and circumstances where an exemption or deferral can be given is available in Forms, Fees & Costs or from the Registry.
Legislation
Resources
The following resources may be of assistance in the respect of the subject of the jurisdiction of the Federal Court:
- An introduction to the jurisdiction of the Federal Court of Australia by Justice James Allsop
- Lindgren, K.E., Hanks, P. and Branson, C. M., Federal civil litigation precedents (LexisNexis)
- Cowen and Zines’s federal jurisdiction in Australia, Lindell, G. J (The Federation Press)
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