The Applicant brought an application under rule 501 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 (Qld) to refer all questions raised on the pleadings to a panel of three referees. In ordering the reference, Bradley J considered the scope of the Court’s power under rule 501 (which was introduced by amendment in 2019) and matters considered relevant to the Court’s exercise of the discretion.
This decision will be of particular interest to practitioners involved in large complex proceedings that may benefit from the reference process.
Jason Mitchenson (led by M Stewart QC and D J Piggott QC) appeared for the plaintiff, instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth.
The judgment is published here.