Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ACT 1976 - SECT 20A

  (1)   This section applies in relation to any civil matter coming before the Court in the original jurisdiction of the Court.

  (2)   The Court or a Judge may deal with the matter without an oral hearing (either with or without the consent of the parties) if satisfied that:

  (a)   the matter is frivolous or vexatious; or

  (b)   the issue or issues on which determination of the matter depends have been decided authoritatively in the case law; or

  (c)   determination of the matter would not be significantly aided by an oral hearing because:

  (i)   there is no real issue of fact relevant to determination of the matter; and

  (ii)   the legal arguments in relation to the matter can be dealt with adequately by written submissions.

  (3)   This section does not limit subsections   20(4) and (6).