Kennedy v Baker [2004] FCA 562

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Kennedy v Baker [2004] FCA 562 CRIMINAL LAW – Crimes Act 1914 – Part 1AA – subs 3L(1A) – search and seizure – creation of copy of computer hard drive – removal of copy hard drive from premises – reliance on content of single computer file – whether conduct of executing officer authorised STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION – subs 3L(1A) Crimes Act 1914 – whether subs 3L(1A) authorised copying of hard drive of computer authorised – whether copying justified by reference to single computer file – construction of 'data' – data a singular collective noun – whether removal of copy hard drive a 'seizure' ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – executing officer – reasonable belief – onus of proof – whether reasonable grounds to believe computer file fell within warrant conditions LEGAL PROFESSIONAL PRIVILEGE – s 3ZX Crimes Act 1914 – copying of computer hard drive under subs 3L(1A) – no opportunity to review contents of hard drive – whether reasonable opportunity to claim privilege

Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15AB Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) s 5 Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) s 3C ‑ 3ZX Cybercrime Act 2001 (Cth) Sch 2 cl 12 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B Adler v Gardiner (2002) 43 ACSR 24 considered Baker v Campbell (1983) 153 CLR 52 referred to Commissioner of Australian Federal Police v Propend Finance Pty Ltd (1997) 188 CLR 501 cited Commissioner of Taxation v Citibank (1989) 20 FCR 403 considered Crane v Gething (2000) 97 FCR 9 cited Hart v Commissioner of Federal Police (2002) 124 FCR 384 considered Harts Australia Ltd v Commissioner of Australian Federal Police (2002) 117 FCR 358 cited Hooper v Kirella Pty Ltd (1999); 96 FCR 1 referred to Jacobsen v Rogers (1995) 182 CLR 572 referred to K Mart Australia Limited v Commissioner of Taxation [1995] FCA 760 referred to Kennedy v Wallace [2004] FCA 332 referred to Lai-Ha v McCusker (2000) 101 FCR 460 cited McGowan v Migration Agents Registration Authority [2003] FCA 482 referred to Mirvac Homes (NSW) Pty Limited v Airservices Australia (No 1) [2004] FCA 109 referred to Parker v Churchill (1985) 9 FCR 316 cited Question of Law Reserved (No 1 of 1998) (1998) 70 SASR 281 distinguished R v Fraser-Adams [2001] NTSC 32; 161 FLR 120 distinguished Saitta Pty Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia (2000) 106 FCR 554 referred to Salerno v National Crime Authority (1997) 75 FCR 133 referred to Truth About Motorways Pty Limited v Macquarie Infrastructure Investment Management Limited (2000) 200 CLR 591 cited Williams v Keelty (2001) 111 FCR 175 considered