Adjudicator Decides! ONE CENT UNDERPAYMENT OF Body Corporate LEVIES

Natalie Green unwittingly paid her levies one cent short. As a result, she was denied voting rights at an EGM. A dispute was lodged and an Adjudicator was required to rule on a one cent underpayment of Body Corporate levies.

Yes, it is hard to believe but I suppose that rules are rules. In his findings the BCCM Adjudicator, D.Toohey stated "It seems harsh for someone to be deprived of their vote just because they unwittingly underpaid their levies by a tiny amount. However, there is no discretion for a returning officer or an adjudicator to allow a vote to be counted when a body corporate debt is owing." (see decision here)

Well, I guess that must be right. The Act has to be followed to the letter of the law. The Adjudicator's hands are tied. After all the law is the law and there cannot be any flexibility.

But wait!

Wasn't there a ruling recently that dealt with how the Act should be interpreted? I'm sure I heard something about that. Ah yes, the QCAT decision in the appeal of Application Number APL 157-12 (29th January 2013).

Dr J.R.Forbes said that the Act could be taken "liberally" which means that the Act should not be taken "strictly". In other words, some flexibility should be shown.

He states that “if the legislation were at all times and in all circumstances applied with utmost rigour and most precious attention to detail, its objects and policy would be retarded by endemic disputation, rather than advanced.”

You really could be excused for thinking that D.Toohey, in ruling on this dispute has applied "utmost rigour and most precious attention to detail".  All over a One Cent underpayment of Body Corporate levies!

Well, I guess the Adjudicators will attempt to rationalise all of this. I know all of the arguments that they will use (like whether there was a material loss or gain at stake) but the fact is that one ruling says that the Act should be interpreted liberally while another says that it must be followed to the letter of the law.

Ultimately, I would actually prefer to see that the Act is interpreted to the letter of the Law. That way, everyone knows where they stand.

If you think this is an isolated case of a seemingly contradictory ruling then I'm afraid you are mistaken. I will look at more contradictions in Adjudicator's rulings in future articles.

The opinions expressed in this article are personal commentaries and not intended in to be legal advice in any way. I have spent many years participating on a number of different Body Corporate Committees and provide an owner’s perspective on Body Corporate issues.

If you have any concerns or comments about any of the issues that are raised in these articles please use the form below to contact me.