Chirmal Singh v Rasier Pacific Pty Ltd
Commissioner Tran
Not yet cited by other cases
Treatment by later cases (1)
1 neutral
Applicant: Chirmal Singh
Respondent: Rasier Pacific Pty Ltd
Ratio
The application for an unfair deactivation remedy was dismissed under s 536M of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) because the applicant unreasonably failed to attend the hearing and comply with directions issued by the Commissioner, despite clear notice and multiple opportunities to respond.
Outcome
Against applicant
dismissed
Authority signal
Not yet cited by other cases
Signal-weighted score: 0.8
Derived from how later decisions have treated this case. Dark green = leading authority,
green = positively treated, grey = neutral or sparse data,
amber = caution, red = treated negatively.
Key facts · 11
- Applicant Chirmal Singh filed an application for unfair deactivation remedy on 18 May 2025 regarding a deactivation that occurred on 22 April 2025
- Applicant initially named 'Uber' as respondent; respondent corrected its name to Rasier Pacific Pty Ltd (ABN: 27 622 365 833), the operator of the Uber Driver Platform
- Commissioner issued directions on 5 June 2025 requiring applicant to file materials by 23 June 2025
- Applicant failed to file any materials by the deadline or at any later time
- Notice of hearing listing was sent on 5 June 2025
- Applicant was reminded of hearing date and time on 3, 7 and 10 July 2025
- On the day of hearing (14 July 2025), my chambers telephoned applicant twice but he did not answer; voicemail was left but not returned
- Applicant did not attend the hearing on 14 July 2025
- Respondent filed application to dismiss under s 536M on 4 July 2025
- Applicant was informed of respondent's dismissal application on 7 and 10 July 2025
- Chambers sent follow-up emails on 26 June 2025, 3 July, 7 July and 10 July offering further opportunity to file materials and provide reasons for non-compliance
Factors
For
- Applicant repeatedly failed to comply with directions issued by Commissioner on 5 June 2025
- No materials filed by deadline of 23 June 2025 or at any subsequent time
- Applicant failed to attend the hearing on 14 July 2025
- Clear notice and reminders provided on 5 June, 3 July, 7 July, and 10 July 2025
- Multiple telephone calls attempted on day of hearing with no response
- Applicant provided with clear information about consequences of non-compliance and non-attendance
- Ample opportunity given to provide reasons for failure to comply
Against
Legislation referenced
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 536LU
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 536M
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 587(1)
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 587(2)
- Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 586
Concept tags · 3
Principles · 4
articulates para 4
The Commission may dismiss an application under s 536M where an applicant has unreasonably failed to attend conferences or hearings, or comply with directions.
articulates para 5
The Commission may dismiss an application under s 587(1) on its own initiative or on application if the application is not made in accordance with the Act, is frivolous or vexatious, or has no reasonable prospects of success.
articulates para 6
The Commission must not dismiss an application under s 536LU on the grounds that it is frivolous, vexatious, or has no reasonable prospects of success.
articulates para 18
The power under s 536M is discretionary, and the exercise of that discretion to dismiss is appropriate where an applicant has been provided with clear information about consequences of non-compliance and non-attendance, and ample opportunity to provide reasons for non-compliance.
Subsequent treatment · 1
Cited / considered· 1
Cited
Archived text (892 words)
1 Fair Work Act 2009 s.536LU - Application for an unfair deactivation remedy Chirmal Singh (UDE2025/83) COMMISSIONER TRAN MELBOURNE, 16 JULY 2025 Application for an unfair deactivation remedy - Dismissal under s 536M of the Act – Applicant failed to attend hearing – Applicant failed to comply with Directions [1] This is an edited version of a decision delivered ex-tempore on Monday 14 July 2025. [2] This is a decision to dismiss the application for an unfair deactivation remedy made by Chirmal Singh on 18 May 2025 in relation a deactivation that he says occurred on 22 April 2025. Name of the Respondent [3] In his application, Mr Singh named the digital labour platform operator as Uber and did not provide an ACN or ABN. Rasier Pacific Pty Ltd responded to the application, asserting that it was the proper name of the party that operated the digital labour platform under which Mr Singh performed work, being the Uber Driver Platform. Under s 586(a) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), I order that the name of the respondent to this application be amended to Rasier Pacific Pty Ltd (ABN: 27 622 365 833). Dismissing Applications [4] The Commission may dismiss a matter under section 536M of the Act, on application by a respondent, where an applicant has unreasonably failed to attend conferences or hearing, or comply with directions. [5] The Commission may also dismiss a matter under section 587(1) of the Act, on its own initiative or on application, if • The application is not made in accordance with the Act; or • The application is frivolous or vexatious; or • The application has no reasonable prospects of success [6] However, under s 587(2) of the Act, the Commission must not dismiss an application under s 536LU on the grounds that the application is frivolous or vexatious, or has no reasonable prospects of success. [2025] FWC 2042 DECISION [2025] FWC 2042 2 [7] Rasier Pacific (the respondent), made an application under s 536M of the Act on Friday 4 July 2025 in an email to the Commission. The email copied in Mr Singh. My chambers also informed Mr Singh of Raiser Pacific’s application in emails on 7 and 10 July 2025. [8] Under s 586, I waive the requirement for the respondent to formally comply with the Commission’s rules in making an application on a relevant form. [9] I am satisfied that Mr Singh has failed to attend hearings and comply with my directions. [10] Mr Singh has failed to attend today’s hearing. Mr Singh was made aware of the date of this hearing because on 5 June 2025, my chambers sent Mr Singh a notice of listing. On 3, 7 and 10 July 2025, my chambers reminded Mr Singh of the date and time of the hearing. At the time that today’s hearing was scheduled to start, my chambers telephoned Mr Singh twice but he did not answer. We left a voicemail, but he has not returned that call. [11] My chambers used the email address and telephone number that Mr Singh had provided to the Commission on this application form [12] Mr Singh has failed to comply with directions that I issued on 5 June 2025, in that he did not file his materials by the deadline in those directions (which was 23 June 2025) nor at any later time. No materials have been filed with my chambers to date. [13] On 26 June 2025, my chambers emailed Mr Singh. My chambers reminded Mr Singh of the directions and provided him with a further opportunity to file materials and provide reasons for why he has not complied with directions. My chambers emailed Mr Singh again on 3, 7 and 10 July 2025. [14] To date, we have received no reply from Mr Singh. [15] I am satisfied that Mr Singh has unreasonably failed to comply with directions and failed to attend today’s hearing, which was initially for the purposes of dealing with whether Mr Singh should have the time extended for the making of his application and was relisted to deal with the respondent’s application for Mr Singh’s application to be dismissed. [16] On multiple occasions, my chambers informed Mr Singh that he was required to comply with directions, required to attend today’s hearing and required to provide reasons for his failure to comply. My chambers also informed Mr Singh that the respondent had made an application to dismiss his matter under s 536M of the Act. [17] Mr Singh has been provided with clear information about the consequences of non- compliance and non-attendance, and ample opportunity to give his reasons for why he has not complied, and why I should not dismiss his matter. Despite this, we have not heard from Mr Singh. [2025] FWC 2042 3 [18] The power under s 536M is discretionary and I am satisfied that I should exercise my discretion in this matter to dismiss the application. Order [19] I order that the application for an unfair deactivation remedy filed by Mr Chirmal Singh on 18 May 2025 be dismissed under s 536M of the Act. COMMISSIONER Appearances: No appearance on behalf of the Applicant Mr P Will of Dentons Australia Limited, with permission on behalf of the Respondent. Hearing details: Melbourne 2025 14 July Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer <PR789666>