With the ATO’s debt recovery powers again coming under fire in the press for being excessive, what rights does a small business have when the way the ATO handles its claims and litigation is considered to be contrary to its obligations as a ‘model litigant’?
The model litigant rules, or model litigant obligations, are guidelines for how a government body ought to behave before, during, and after litigation.[1] The ATO, like any other Commonwealth agency, is subject to model litigant obligations and has an obligation to:
act with complete propriety, fairly and in accordance with the highest professional standards in handling claims and litigation. This also requires that the ATO not start legal proceedings unless it is satisfied that litigation is the most suitable method to resolve a dispute. [2]
In Shord v Commissioner of Taxation [2017] FCAFC 167 Justice Logan discussed at length the role of the Commissioner and how he is to conduct proceedings to which he is a party. His Honour made the following comments with respect to model litigant obligations:
The ‘standard of fair play to be observed by the Crown in dealing with subjects’ in litigious business, termed the duty to act as a model litigant, antedates and, if anything, is more onerous than the duty which all parties and their lawyers have in proceedings before this Court to assist in the achieving of the ‘overarching purpose’ of facilitating the just resolution of disputes according to law and as quickly, inexpensively and efficiently as possible: s 37M and s 37N, Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth). [3]
His Honour went on to say:
Departures from model litigant behaviour can, in particular circumstances, constitute professional misconduct, a contempt of court or an attempt, contrary to s 43 of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), to pervert the course of justice. [4]
However, it has also been confirmed by the Courts that an alleged failure on the part of a Commonwealth Agency to act in accordance with its obligations does not exist in Australian law as a distinct cause of action. As a result, such failures (aside from a potential complaint to the Attorney General) can only be actioned via a request that the Agency pay the legal costs within existing proceedings, that it can be argued arise from the breach(es) of those obligations.
Cove Legal offers specialist expertise in the area of tax disputes and insolvency. We represent clients in Court winding up applications and bankruptcy petitions and provide strategic advice on ATO payment plans and all other aspects of ATO debt recovery action (such as director penalty notices, garnishee notices, freezing orders, default assessments, audit requests and ATO criminal prosecutions).
Roger Blow, Principal, Ph: +61 8 6381 0327 or roger@covelegal.com.au
This publication is not intended to provide and does not provide legal advice. You should seek professional legal advice relating to your specific situation(s) before taking any action based upon its contents.
[1] https://www.ruleoflaw.org.au/priorities/model-litigant-rules/
[2] https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Dispute-or-object-to-an-ATO-decision/In-detail/Avoiding-and-resolving-disputes/Litigation/Litigation---our-policies/
[3] Shord v Commissioner of Taxation [2017] FCAFC 167 at [169].
[4] Ibid at [174].
