Appendix 6: Workload Statistics

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The statistics in this appendix provide comparative historical information on the work of the Court, including in certain areas of the Court's jurisdiction.

When considering the statistics it is important to note that matters vary according to the nature and complexity of the issues in dispute.

It should also be noted that the figures reported in this report may differ from figures reported in previous years. The variations have occurred through refinements or enhancements to the Casetrack database which necessitated the checking or verification and possible variation of data previously entered.

Casetrack records matters in the Court classified according to eleven main categories, described as 'causes of action' (COA). The Court presently reports on filings by major COA. This is an under representation of the workload as it does not include filings of supplementary COA's (cross appeals and cross claims), interlocutory applications (initiated by the filing of a notice of motion) or Native Title joinder of party applications. In 2007-08 the Court started to count and report on notices of motion in appellate proceedings in order to provide the most accurate possible picture of the Court's appellate workload. From 2008-09 the Court has counted all forms of this additional workload in both its original and appellate jurisdictions.

Table 6.4 on page 118 provides a breakdown of these matters. At this stage it is not possible to obtain information about finalisations of notices of motion (because they are recorded in the Court's case management system as a document filed rather than a specific COA). Because of this, detailed reporting of these matters has been restricted to the information about appeals in Chapter 3 and Table 6.4. All other tables and figures in this Appendix and through the Report are based on major COA.

Table 6.1 - Summary of Workload Statistics - Original and Appellate Jurisdiction

Table 6.2 - Summary of Workload Statistics - Excluding Appeals and related actions

Table 6.3 - Summary of Workload Statistics - Appeals and Related Actions only

Table 6.4 - Summary of supplementary workload statistics

Note: Table 6.4 has been refined and now includes notices of motion for interim applications in bankruptcy in the Court's original jurisdiction. These statistics were not counted in the 2008-09 Annual Report and, therefore, the notices of motion figures in the original jurisdiction are higher than reported last year.

Figure 6.1 - Matters filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.2 - Matters filed and finalised 2005-06 to 2009-10

The number finalised refers to those matters finalised in the relevant financial year, regardless of when they were originally filed.

Figure 6.3 - Age and number of current matters at 30 June 2010

A total of 2,774 matters remain current at 30 June 2010. There were 488 applications still current relating to periods before those shown in the graph. Over 73% of cases prior to 2005 are native title matters.

Figure 6.4 - Time span to complete - Matters completed (excl. native title) in the period 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2010

A total of 23,468 matters were completed during the five year period ending 30 June 2010, excluding native title matters. The time span, from filing to disposition of these matters, is shown in the graph above.

Figure 6.5 - Time span to complete benchmark (excl. native title) 2005-06 to 2009-10

The total number of matters (including appeals but excluding Native Title) completed for each of the last five years and the time span for completion are shown below.

Table 6.5 - Finalisation of major COAs in accordance with 85% benchmark (incl. appeals and related actions and excluding native title matters)

Figure 6.6 - Bankruptcy Act matters (excl. appeals) filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.6.1 - Current Bankruptcy matters (excl. appeals) by year of filing

A total of 71 Bankruptcy Act matters remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.7 - Corporations Act matters (excl. appeals) filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.7.1 - Current Corporations Act matters (excl. appeals) by year of filing

A total of 724 Corporations Act matters remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.8 - Trade Practices Act matters (excl. competition law and appeals) filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.8.1 - Current Trade Practices Act matters (excl. competition law and appeals) by year of filing

A total of 269 non-competition law Trade Practices Act matters remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.9 - Migration Act matters (excl. appeals) filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

These figures include migration applications filed under the Judiciary Act, Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act and Migration Act.

Since 1 December 2005, when the Migration Litigation Reform Act commenced, almost all first instance migration cases have been filed in the Federal Magistrates Court.

Figure 6.9.1 Current Migration Act matters (excl. appeals) by year of filing

A total of 10 Migration Act matters remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.10 - Admiralty Act matters (excl. appeals) filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.10.1 - Current Admiralty matters (excl. appeals) by year of filing

A total of 68 Admiralty Act matters remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.11 - Native Title Act matters (excl. appeals) filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.11.1 - Current Native Title matters (excl. appeals) by year of filing

A total of 460 Native Title matters remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.12 - Workplace Relations/Fair Work matters (excl. appeals) filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.12.1 Current Workplace Relations/Fair Work matters (excl. appeals) by year of filing

A total of 51 Workplace Relations/Fair Work cases remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.13 Taxation matters (excl. appeals) filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.13.1 Current taxation matters (excl. appeals) by year of filing

A total of 305 taxation cases remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.14 - Intellectual Property Matters (excl. appeals) filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.14.1 - Current Intellectual Property matters (excl. appeals) by year of filing

A total of 218 intellectual property cases remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.15 - Appeals and Related Actions filed 2005-06 to 2009-10

Figure 6.15.1 - Current Appeals and Related Actions by date filed

A total of 280 Appeals and Related Actions remain current as at 30 June 2010.

Figure 6.16 - Source of Appeals and Related Actions 2005-06 to 2009-10

Table 6.6 - Appeals and Related Actions