A court may dismiss a proceeding for want of prosecution where a self-represented litigant has repeatedly failed to file a compliant statement of claim despite multiple opportunities and warnings, even where the proceeding has been on foot for only 11 months. The overarching purpose provisions of the Civil Procedure Act 2010 (Vic) reinforce the power to dismiss in such circumstances. A corporation seeking to be joined as a plaintiff without legal representation faces a heavy burden under the Worldwide Enterprises factors, particularly where the proposed representative has demonstrated an inability to prepare compliant pleadings.
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