Northern Territory of Australia v Northern Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service & Anor D11/2000 [2001] HCATrans 98 (14 March 2001)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Office of the Registry

Darwin No D11 of 2000

B e t w e e n -

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

Applicant

and

NORTH AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL LEGAL AID SERVICE INCORPORATED

First Respondent

HUGH BURTON BRADLEY

Second Respondent

Application for expedition

McHUGH J

(In Chambers)

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS

AT CANBERRA ON WEDNESDAY, 14 MARCH 2001, AT 9.29 AM

Copyright in the High Court of Australia

MR J.W. SHAW, QC: May it please the Court, I appear with my learned friend, MR A.R. MOSES, for the first respondent in the proceedings and the applicant in the present matter before your Honour. (instructed by North Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service Incorporated)

MR P.J. HANKS, QC: Your Honour, I appear for the applicant on the special leave application and the first respondent to the summons. (instructed by the Solicitor for the Northern Territory)

HIS HONOUR: The Deputy Registrar has certified that he holds a letter from the solicitors for the second respondent stating that the second respondent does not wish to appear in this application and will submit to the order of the Court save as to the costs.

I have read all the papers in this matter. It seems to me it is a case for expedition. There are two dates available for expedition: 4 May here in Canberra where it can be heard either by video link from Darwin, if necessary, or in person, or 1 June.

So I will make an order expediting the hearing of this matter. It will be a matter for the Registrar in collaboration with the Chief Justice to pick the most suitable date. I suspect it will be 4 May. Parties will have to be ready to proceed on whatever day the Court allots. It is a matter that I will certify for counsel and I think that costs should be costs in the application. Is there anything further?

MR HANKS: No, your Honour, thank you.

MR SHAW: No, your Honour, apart from the disappointment of not being able to present an argument to the Court.

HIS HONOUR: You have been too long in politics.

MR SHAW: I did not think that, your Honour. If your Honour pleases.

HIS HONOUR: Very well. Adjourn the Court.

AT 9.32 AM THE MATTER WAS CONCLUDED