Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/7
Settlement of debt litigation proceedings
Date of issue: 14 April 2011
Date of effect: 14 April 2011
Draft: False
Withdrawn: False

1. What this Practice Statement is about: This Practice Statement sets out our approach to settling debt litigation proceedings. | 2. Summary: Settlement can be a cost-effective way to quickly resolve litigation (and pre-litigation) disputes. Settling debt litigation matters requires you to assess the various risks involved in reaching a settlement, which are detailed in this Practice Statement. Considering whether settlement is appropriate is important in complying with our obligations as a model litigant . These obligations require Commonwealth litigants to act honestly and fairly in litigation. They include managing cases efficiently and effectively and endeavouring to limit litigation where possible by engaging in alternative dispute resolution (ADR). This Practice Statement is to be read alongside the Code of settlement (Code). While the Code applies to settling disputes arising under Part IVC of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 , its principles can extend to debt litigation proceedings. | 3. Settlements: A settlement is an agreement or arrangement between parties to finalise their matters in dispute. It involves balancing the Commissioner's duties to administer the tax law by assessing and collecting taxes, and administering the tax system in a fair, efficient and effective way. For the purposes of this Practice Statement, settlement is limited to deciding not to commence litigation proceedings on consideration of relevant risk factors or ending the litigation proceedings early due to new or additional risk factors that have emerged after the commencement of the litigation proceedings. Legal basis for settlement The Commissioner's powers of general administration encompass settlement of any matters on principles that reflect good management of the tax and superannuation systems, overall fairness and best use of our resources. This is commonly known as the 'good management rule'. Application of ATO policy to settlements Our existing policies may assist in settling debt litigation proceedings. For instance: • accepting a payment arrangement by instalments, including any security, that results in a proceeding being discontinued or stayed (Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/14 General debt collection powers and principles ) • remitting general interest charge (Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/12 Remission of general interest charge ) • discontinuing litigation proceedings to allow the taxpayer to apply to - the Finance Minister for a waiver of their debt, or - us for release from their debt in cases of serious hardship (Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/17 Debt relief, waiver and non-pursuit ), or • discontinuing litigation where information establishes the debt is either irrecoverable at law or uneconomical to pursue (PS LA 2011/17). • accepting a payment arrangement by instalments, including any security, that results in a proceeding being discontinued or stayed (Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/14 General debt collection powers and principles ) • remitting general interest charge (Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/12 Remission of general interest charge ) • discontinuing litigation proceedings to allow the taxpayer to apply to - the Finance Minister for a waiver of their debt, or - us for release from their debt in cases of serious hardship (Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/17 Debt relief, waiver and non-pursuit ), or • discontinuing litigation where information establishes the debt is either irrecoverable at law or uneconomical to pursue (PS LA 2011/17). - the Finance Minister for a waiver of their debt, or - us for release from their debt in cases of serious hardship (Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/17 Debt relief, waiver and non-pursuit ), or Settlement versus compromise To 'compromise' is to accept a sum less than payment of the full undisputed primary tax debt. A settlement is an agreement or arrangement between parties to finalise their matters in dispute. Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/3 Compromise of undisputed tax-related liabilities and other amounts payable to the Commissioner applies in considering offers to compromise undisputed tax debts and conveys the principle that compromise will only be considered in very limited circumstances. Commercial settlement A 'commercial' settlement is a settlement that reflects commercial practice between a commercial creditor and a commercial debtor. In a debt litigation context, this means a settlement where we would receive less than the full debt, but more than we would in bankruptcy or liquidation. We are not a commercial creditor and must approach settlement in accordance with the principles in this Practice Statement. We should not settle solely on a commercial basis. Settlements must account for fairness to other creditors and taxpayers who pay their debts as they fall due. With the exception of insolvency litigation matters, a commercial settlement offer is better considered as a compromise request under PS LA 2011/3. For guidance on insolvency litigation matters, refer to Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/16 Insolvency – collection, recovery and enforcement issues for entities under external administration. | 4. Risk-based approach: We must undertake a risk assessment in determining whether or not it is appropriate to settle a debt litigation proceeding. This assessment must take place both when commencing and throughout a debt litigation proceeding. Broad risk categories include: • legal risk • revenue risk • reputational risk • compliance risk • operational risk. • legal risk • revenue risk • reputational risk • compliance risk • operational risk. Legal risk Legal risk is the risk we face in proceeding with a claim. This risk can arise from: • uncertainty in the interpretation or application of the law • uncertainty or ambiguity in any contract entered into • risks flowing from the litigation itself, such as adverse court findings and the risk of increased litigation • not settling a matter which may have precedential value or highlight the need for legislative reform. • uncertainty in the interpretation or application of the law • uncertainty or ambiguity in any contract entered into • risks flowing from the litigation itself, such as adverse court findings and the risk of increased litigation • not settling a matter which may have precedential value or highlight the need for legislative reform. Legal risk is the primary and often determining factor for most cases considered appropriate for settlement. Legal risk is often dependent on evidence. The level of risk can change throughout a litigation proceeding as new evidence comes to light. Revenue risk Revenue risk is the risk of monetary loss – in particular, our ability to collect revenue. The broader revenue implications must be considered. For instance: • whether the taxpayer has a novel or arguable defence that has the potential to affect our well-settled processes • our position on a particular matter in the proceeding has not yet been settled • settling the wrong cases may result in more litigation, or our recovering less money than we would if judgment was obtained • not settling a matter which may have precedential value or highlight the need for legislative reform. • whether the taxpayer has a novel or arguable defence that has the potential to affect our well-settled processes • our position on a particular matter in the proceeding has not yet been settled • settling the wrong cases may result in more litigation, or our recovering less money than we would if judgment was obtained • not settling a matter which may have precedential value or highlight the need for legislative reform. Reputational risk Reputational risk refers to the perception of the ATO. Litigation proceedings may affect our standing with the government, judiciary, other government agencies, external advisers or the community. The decision of whether or not to settle can carry a reputational risk where the community perception is that we are being 'too hard' or 'too soft' on certain taxpayers. Similarly, there are reputational risks if settlements are not seen to be applied consistently. You must therefore consider each case on its merits, with reference to the principles set out in this Practice Statement. If we are not seen to be applying settlements consistently, community confidence in us may be reduced by perceptions of unfairness from those taxpayers that comply with their payment obligations. Compliance risk Compliance risk is an acknowledgment that a number of factors can influence taxpayer behaviour in complying with the law. It is the current and prospective risk to revenue arising from non-compliance with tax laws and precedential ATO views. Our decision on whether to settle can influence taxpayer behaviour in complying with the tax law. For example, settlements that treat taxpayers differently or do not accord with the ATO view can undermine community confidence in the tax system and negatively impact voluntary compliance. Compliance risk is also linked to legal risk. For example, litigating a matter with unique factual circumstances may result in ambiguity in the law or in our position. This can have wider compliance and revenue impacts for us. Operational risk Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from unforeseeable events. Practical examples of operational risk include: • the availability of staff • the inability to produce evidence of the taxpayer's debt because of a computer server crash • bad weather preventing a witness attending court. • the availability of staff • the inability to produce evidence of the taxpayer's debt because of a computer server crash • bad weather preventing a witness attending court. | 5. Circumstances where it may be appropriate to settle: Settlement may be appropriate where: • there is merit in the taxpayer's defence that poses legal risk to us • there is scope to quickly resolve the dispute without expending further costs and time of litigation • progressing a matter to trial could affect well-established principles of law or our position • we face adverse costs orders in progressing a claim • the costs of continuing a litigation approach exceed the recoverable debt, or • the taxpayer otherwise has a good compliance history. • there is merit in the taxpayer's defence that poses legal risk to us • there is scope to quickly resolve the dispute without expending further costs and time of litigation • progressing a matter to trial could affect well-established principles of law or our position • we face adverse costs orders in progressing a claim • the costs of continuing a litigation approach exceed the recoverable debt, or • the taxpayer otherwise has a good compliance history. | 6. Circumstances where it may not be appropriate to settle: Settlement may be inappropriate where: • the outcome of the settlement would be contrary our policy or the law • it is in our or the public interest to have judicial clarification on the issues in dispute • there is a risk or pattern of the taxpayer dissipating or disposing of assets • the taxpayer's defence has no merit (this does not prevent a settlement that provides for payment of the full debt over time) • there is a flow-on compliance benefit in running the litigation through to judgment • the proposal received by the taxpayer is better considered as a request for compromise • it may encourage frivolous defences • it would treat taxpayers inconsistently, or • the taxpayer has a poor compliance history. • the outcome of the settlement would be contrary our policy or the law • it is in our or the public interest to have judicial clarification on the issues in dispute • there is a risk or pattern of the taxpayer dissipating or disposing of assets • the taxpayer's defence has no merit (this does not prevent a settlement that provides for payment of the full debt over time) • there is a flow-on compliance benefit in running the litigation through to judgment • the proposal received by the taxpayer is better considered as a request for compromise • it may encourage frivolous defences • it would treat taxpayers inconsistently, or • the taxpayer has a poor compliance history. | 7. Authority to settle: Authority to settle debt litigation proceedings is given to Litigation and Legal Services officers (at Executive Level 1 and above) and Frontline Operations officers (at Executive Level 1 and above). Courts often require parties to participate in ADR during debt litigation proceedings. Additionally, we have internal processes such as in-house facilitation to facilitate settlement discussions. ATO officers with authority to settle must attend any ADR process. If authority lies with a Senior Executive Service (SES) officer who cannot attend, an appropriate officer should be given settlement parameters in attending the ADR process. An SES officer should then be available to be contacted by phone during the process. If you are unsure about whether an authorised officer should attend, contact Litigation and Legal Services. | 8. Settlement and prosecution action: If the taxpayer in a debt litigation proceeding is the subject of prosecution action or is subject to a criminal investigation into alleged offences, you should refer to Chief Executive Instruction External fraud (link available internally only). If a case falls within that instruction, you should seek a formal written response from the Criminal Law Program, Business Development and Management Team in Fraud and Criminal Behaviours on the impact of the prosecution or investigation action on any settlement. This team can also be contacted if you are unsure about the guidelines. No prosecution exemption You do not have the authority to exempt taxpayers from prosecution. Therefore, this cannot form part of any settlement. Equally, you must not threaten prosecution action as a lever to settle cases. | 9. More information: For more information, see: • Code of settlement • Chief Executive Instruction External fraud (link available internally only) • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/3 Compromise of undisputed tax related liabilities and other amounts payable to the Commissioner • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/12 Remission of general interest charge • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/14 General debt collection powers and principles • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/16 Insolvency – collection, recovery and enforcement issues for entities under external administration • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/17 Debt relief, waiver and non-pursuit. • Code of settlement • Chief Executive Instruction External fraud (link available internally only) • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/3 Compromise of undisputed tax related liabilities and other amounts payable to the Commissioner • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/12 Remission of general interest charge • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/14 General debt collection powers and principles • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/16 Insolvency – collection, recovery and enforcement issues for entities under external administration • Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/17 Debt relief, waiver and non-pursuit.

Related practice statements: PS LA 2011/3 PS LA 2011/12 PS LA 2011/14 PS LA 2011/16 PS LA 2011/17
Legislative references: TAA 1953 Pt IVC
Other references: Code of settlement External fraud (link available internally only) Our obligations as a model litigant

Additional content:
Updated in line with current ATO style and accessibility requirements. | Comprehensive re-write to convert into plain English and reformatted into new LAPS style. | Paragraphs 24; 49; 82 & 84; legislative references | Updated references to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 with relevant provisions in the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014; updated references to PS CM 2007/02 now replaced by CEI 2014/05/09; updated contact details. | Revised to meet current ATO style guide requirements, reflect new work group titles and current practices in relation to voidable preference type of litigations, and to cater for amendments to PS LA 2009/9.