Amicus guidelines

COMMISSION GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF THE

AMICUS CURIAE FUNCTION UNDER

THE AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ACT

1. These guidelines apply only to Federal Court proceedings under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) ("AHRC Act") as amended by the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act (No 1) 1999 (Cth).

2. Under s.46PV of AHRC Act, the Human Rights Commissioner, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, the Disability Discrimination Commissioner, the Race Discrimination Commissioner and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner are given the function of assisting the Federal Court or the Federal Magistrates Court as amicus curiae where:

a. the Commissioner thinks the orders may affect to a significant extent the human rights of persons who are not parties to the proceedings; or

b. the proceedings, in the opinion of the Commissioner, have significant implications for the administration of the relevant Act/s; or

c. the proceedings involve special circumstances such that the Commissioner is satisfied that it would be in the public interest for the Commissioner to assist the court as amicus curiae.

3. This function may only be exercised with the leave of the court.

4. In deciding whether to seek the leave of the court to appear as amicus curiae, a Commissioner (the "Proposed Amicus Commissioner")_must be satisfied that one or more of the statutory requirements in s.46PV are met. Examples of cases in which the statutory requirements may be met include where a case involves a new area of the law; where a case would clarify a disputed interpretation of the law; where a case has significant ramifications beyond the parties to the proceedings or where a case may affect the human rights of a significant number of people.

5. In addition, in deciding whether to seek the leave of the court to appear as amicus curiae in circumstances where one or more of the statutory requirements are met, a Proposed Amicus Commissioner shall have regard to the following factors:

i. Whether the court would be assisted by an amicus curiae and, in particular, whether the Proposed Amicus Commissioner will be able to raise issues not otherwise before the court or to offer a perspective not raised by the parties.

ii. Whether an amicus curiae would detract from the efficient conduct of the litigation.

iii. Whether the court has indicated that it would be assisted by an amicus curiae.

iv. Whether any party has requested the Proposed Amicus Commissioner or a member of the Commission to seek leave to appear as amicus curiae and whether any party would oppose the application.

v. Whether any other person or organisation is seeking leave to intervene or appear as amicus curiae.

vi. The reason the complaint was terminated. For example, it would be more likely that a termination under s. 46PH(1)(h) (matter of public importance) or (i) (no reasonable prospect of conciliation) would give rise to an application to be heard as amicus curiae.

vii. Whether the matters sought to be put before the court will not otherwise be adequately and fully argued including whether the parties are represented.

viii. Whether the issue is an interlocutory one or will result in a final determination.

ix. Whether the proceedings are in the Federal Court or the Federal Magistrates Court.

x. The resource implications of running the litigation.

xi. The integrity of the Proposed Amicus Commissioner's amicus role in the particular case and the integrity of the use of the amicus powers in future cases.

6. Having decided that a particular set of proceedings meet the statutory requirements of section 46PV and having had regard to the other factors outlined in paragraph 5 above, the Proposed Amicus Commissioner should consult with the Director of the Legal Section, who will, after such consultation, assign a legal officer to the matter.

7. The Legal Officer will, in conjunction with the Proposed Amicus Commissioner and their unit, draft a briefing paper to the other members of the Commission (including the President) outlining the proposal to appear as amicus curiae.

8. The other Commissioners (apart from the President) may then comment upon the proposal to appear as amicus curiae. The Proposed Amicus Commissioner must consider any such comments and must discuss with the relevant Commissioner(s) any concerns raised.

9. By reason of the complaint handling responsibilities of the President, the President must not comment upon the specific circumstances of such proceedings. However, the President may comment upon other matters, including, but not limited to:

i. the resource implications of running the litigation;

ii. any other relevant issues regarding the administrative affairs of the Commission;

iii. any broader strategic issues; and/or

iv. any broader issues relating to the role, function or reputation of the Commission.

The Proposed Amicus Commissioner must consider any such comments and must discuss with the President any concerns raised.

10. In addition, the Proposed Amicus Commissioner must consider, at the earliest possible opportunity, whether the issues raised by the parties to the litigation are relevant to the portfolio of another Commissioner. If that is the case, the Proposed Amicus Commissioner must, as soon as practicable, consult with each other such Commissioner.

11. More than one Commissioner may seek leave to appear as amicus in relation to a proceeding (eg a proceeding involving both sex and race). In such a case:

i. each such Commissioner must be satisfied that the amicus role they propose to undertake meets the statutory requirements of section 46PV and shall have regard to the other factors outlined in paragraph 5 above; and

ii. the Commissioners should give joint instructions and appear by the same person.

12. Notice of intention to seek leave to appear as amicus in the proceedings should be given to the parties prior to the hearing with an indication of the issues intended to be argued. In the event that a party then decides to fully raise or adopt the proposed issues, the Commission will only press its application if the party then decides not to argue those issues, or if the party particularly seeks the support of the Commission (in such cases submissions in written form may be sufficient).

13. Notice of a Commissioner's intention to seek leave to as amicus curiae (and reasons why the Commissioner considers it reasonable to do so) must be given to the Attorney-General’s office and the Manager of the Human Rights Branch of the Attorney-General’s Department as soon as practicable after the Commissioner has decided to apply to be amicus curiae in the proceedings. Last updated

September 18, 2009

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