FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
ANNUAL REPORT 2003-2004
APPENDIX 5 WORKLOAD STATISTICS
The statistics in this appendix provide comparative historical information in relation to the work of the Court, in particular, comparative statistics concerning aspects 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 legal issues or evidence in dispute.
It should be noted that, in this report, the figures reported may be marginally different from figures reported in previous years. The variations have occurred through refinements or enhancements to the Court’s FEDCAMS database which necessitated the checking or verification and possible variation of data previously entered and from random audits of earlier data.
Table 5.1 – Summary of Workload Statistics Original and Appellate Jurisdiction Table 5.2 – Summary of Workload Statistics (excluding Full Court appeals) Table 5.3 – Summary of Workload Statistics Full Court appeals only
The increase in filings for 2003-04 is largely attributed to matters remitted from the High Court of Australia. A total of 1,727 matters were remitted, mostly migration applications.
The number finalised refers to those matters finalised in the relevant financial year regardless of when they were originally filed.
The number filed and the number finalised include creditors’ petitions and other bankruptcy applications as shown below:
| Year | Filed | Finalised |
|---|---|---|
| 1999-00 | 3,044 | 3,121 |
| 2000-01 | 1,190 | 1,712 |
| 2001-02 | 554 | 715 |
| 2002-03 | 482 | 514 |
| 2003-04 | 442 | 431 |
Age and number remaining current at 30 June 2004
A total of 3,723 matters remain current as at 30 June 2004. The age of these are shown in the graph above. There were 509 applications still current relating to periods before those shown in the graph including 410 matters transferred from the National Native Title Tribunal on 30 September 1998.
Figure 5.4
Time span to complete Matters completed in the period 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2004
A total of 27,475 matters were completed during the 5-year period ended 30 June 2004 excluding Native Title matters. The time span, from filing to disposition of these matters, are shown in the graph above.
Figure 5.5
Time span to complete benchmark 1999-2000 to 2003-04
The total number of applications excluding native title applications completed for each of the last five years and the time span for completion are shown below:
| Year | Number | Percentage Completed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| under | over | ||
| 18 months | 18 months | ||
| 1999-00 | 6,451 | 90.9 | 9.1 |
| 2000-01 | 5,167 | 90.9 | 9.1 |
| 2001-02 | 4,669 | 90.8 | 9.2 |
| 2002-03 | 5,089 | 80.2 | 19.8 |
| 2003-04 | 5,997 | 92.0 | 8.0 |
Age of number remaining current at 30 June 2004
A total of 254 Corporations Act matters remain current at 30 June 2004. The age of these are shown in the graph above. There were no matters still current relating to periods before those shown in the graph.
Age and number remaining current at 30 June 2004
A total of 436 Trade Practices Act matters remain current as at 30 June 2004. The age of these are shown in the graph above. There were 11 matters still current relating to periods before those shown in the graph.
These figures include migration applications filed under the Judiciary Act, Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act and Migration Act. Since 2 October 2001, almost all migration applications are filed under the Judiciary Act.
The increase shown for the last 2 years is largely attributed to migration applications remitted from the High Court of Australia. A total of 637 were remitted in 2002-03 and 1,716 were remitted in 2003-04.
Age and number remaining current at 30 June 2004
A total of 585 Migration Act matters remain current as at 30 June 2004. The age of these are shown in the graph above. There were no matters still current relating to periods before those shown in the graph.
Age and number remaining current at 30 June 2004
A total of 74 Admiralty Act matters remain current as at 30 June 2004. The age of these are shown in the graph below. There were no matters still current relating to periods before those shown in the graph.
Age and number remaining current at 30 June 2004
A total of 354 appeals to the Full Court remain current as at 30 June 2004. The age of these are shown in the graph below. There was no appeals still current relating to a period before those shown in the graph.
| Source | 1999-00 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Court | 347 | 85.3% | 362 | 87.4% | 502 | 83.3% | 375 | 60.3% | 340 | 48.3% |
| FMC | 8 | 1.9% | 66 | 10.9% | 227 | 36.5% | 348 | 49.4% | ||
| Supreme Courts | 50 | 12.3% | 34 | 8.2% | 27 | 4.5% | 6 | 1.0% | 2 | 0.3% |
| Other Sources | 10 | 2.5% | 10 | 2.4% | 8 | 1.3% | 14 | 2.3% | 14 | 2.0% |
| Total | 407 | 100.0% | 414 | 100.0% | 603 | 100.0% | 622 | 100.0% | 704 | 100.0% |
Notes The Federal Magistrates Court commenced on 23 June 2000. Appeals from Supreme Courts have declined following the establishment of the ACT Court of Appeal.
Age and number remaining current at 30 June 2003
A total of 799 Native Title Act matters remain current as at 30 June 2004 (not including appeals). The age of these are shown in the graph above. There were 457 matters still current relating to periods before those shown in the graph.
More details on the statistics are included in Chapter 3 on page 35.