or is it part of the process one has to go through prior to appeal to a higher court?
That's ok if you have the money to go to the next level. The whole legal system is weighted towards the big end of town or the government authorities that are tax payer funded.
Sure you can apply for legal aid and probably get it, but your level of legal representation drops off with what you can afford (or can't afford).
Maybe John could try the Commonwealth Ombudsman with letters of concern from members of the aviation industry i.e. 'all of us'!
