I appeared for the Appellant in Chapple v Dulux Group (Australia) Pty Ltd [2022] WADC 73. The decision is here.
The case involved an Appeal from a Minor Case in the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.
The case related (amongst other things) to the Appellant’s allegation that the Respondent failed to provide goods (paint coating and render) in accordance with the description offered by the Respondent.
Magistrates Court Proceedings
At trial, both the Appellant and Respondent adduced expert evidence and tendered expert reports in support of their respective cases. The Magistrate made a finding that the expert witness called by the Appellant did not possess the relevant expertise to give opinion evidence at trial.
The Magistrate dismissed the Appellant’s claim, brought under the Australian Consumer Law, and awarded costs in favour of the Respondent.
Appeal
The Notice of Appeal alleged on three separate grounds that the Magistrate had denied him natural justice.
The decision of Commissioner Collins of the District Court of Western Australia highlights several crucial features of the Magistrates Court as compared to other jurisdictions.
Minor Cases
Part 4 of the Magistrates Court (Civil Proceedings) Act 2004 (MCCP Act) relates to Minor Cases, defined under s 26 of the MCCP Act.
There are limited grounds upon which an appeal can be brought in relation to the decision of a Magistrate in a Minor Case. Relevantly here, s 32 (3) (b) permits an appeal on the ground of a denial of natural justice.
Each ground of appeal relied upon in the Appellant’s case asserted a denial of natural justice.
Costs in the Magistrates Court
The Magistrates Court is typically a “no costs jurisdiction”.
However, s 31 (3) of the MCCP Act allows a successful party to claim costs other than “allowable costs” if the Court is satisfied that there are “exceptional circumstances” that would create an injustice if costs were not awarded to the successful party.
The Magistrate delivered brief reasons for the award of costs (see at pages 44 and 45 of the decision).
Decision
The District Court allowed the Appeal (in part) and set aside the costs order made by the Magistrate in favour of the Respondent.
The Court, after considering thoroughly the law on natural justice, ultimately agreed with my submission that the learned Magistrate, in awarding costs, failed to disclose adequate reasons in relation to the existence of “exceptional circumstances” as required by s 31 (3) of the MCCP Act.
The case highlights the importance of decision makers providing adequate reasons for their decisions.
Additionally, the Court highlighted the necessity of a thorough consideration of the legislative context of a decision and the relevant jurisdiction, when determining the content of the duty of natural justice that applies in any given case.
Crucial here, was the overriding objects of the Magistrates Court as a court of summary jurisdiction and the explicit requirements for “exceptional circumstances” in the legislation before an adverse costs order can be made.
For these reasons, the Court held that the Magistrate was required to identify the relevant facts upon which the decision was based and allowed the Appeal on this point.