Consul General of Lebanon faces bankruptcy proceedings

The Consul General of Lebanon in Sydney, Mr Robert Naoum, faces bankruptcy proceedings for failing to pay orders of the New South Wales Supreme Court and the New South Wales Court of Appeal to pay the costs of Mr Nabil Dannawi after losing defamation cases against him. Mr Dannawi obtained a judgment against Mr Naoum, however Mr Naoum has made an application to the court claiming that he does not have to pay because he allegedly has diplomatic immunity.

Mr Dannawi’s lawyers Rick Mitry will say that Mr Naoum, who is a Consul General, does not have the same diplomatic immunity as ambassadors as he is not a diplomat, and whatever immunity he does have is limited to consular functions under the Vienna Convention, as well as the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Commonwealth).