Catchwords:

REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDINGS – application for leave to appeal – industrial class action – claims that group members were employees of respondent – where primary judge dismissed application for orders under ss 33C and 33N of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) that proceeding not validly commenced as a representative proceeding, or alternatively that it not continue as a representative proceeding – whether claims of group members did not give rise to substantial common issue of fact or law – whether claim that group members were employees must be determined on individual-by-individual basis and thus no common issue raised – where primary judge satisfied of two common questions – whether proceeding ought to have been declassed because most if not all common issues not capable of determination on common basis – whether representative proceeding would provide efficient and effective means of dealing with claims of group members – whether otherwise inappropriate that claims be pursued as representative proceeding – consideration of relevant principles – primary judgment not attended by doubt – no substantial injustice – application dismissed