Huang v University of New South Wales (No 3) [2006] FCA 626

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Huang v University of New South Wales (No 3) [2006] FCA 626

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – procedural fairness – the power of a judge to tender evidence at general law – apprehension of bias –– whether the evidence tendered by the judge could possibly have made any difference to the outcome of the case – unrepresented litigant – waiver

Held: The Federal Magistrate erred in introducing affidavit evidence on his own motion, and thereby denied the appellant procedural fairness.

Antoun v The Queen (2006) 224 ALR 51 applied Australian Coastal Shipping Commission v Curtis Cruising Pty Limited (1989) 17 NSWLR 734 referred to Australian Security and Commission v Ampolex Limited (1995) 38 NSWLR 504 referred to Clark Equipment Credit Australia Ltd v Como Factory Pty Ltd (1988) 14 NSWLR 552 referred to CSR Ltd v Della Maddalena (2006) 224 ALR 1 referred to Ebner v Official Trustee (2000) 205 CLR 337 applied Fox v Percy (2003) 214 CLR 118 referred to Gillette Australia Pty Ltd v Energiser Australia Pty Ltd (2002) 193 ALR 629 discussed Galea v Galea (1990) 19 NSWLR 263 referred to Goldsmith v Sandilands (2002) 190 ALR 370 referred to Harkness v Bell's Asbestos and Engineering Ltd [1967] 2 QB 729 referred to In re Enoch and Zaretzky Bock & Co's Arbitration [1910] 1 KB 327 applied John v Rees [1970] Ch 345 referred to Jones v National Coal Board [1957] 2 QB 55 cited Obacelo Pty Ltd v Taveraft Pty Ltd (1986) 10 FCR 518 questioned Paal Wilson & Co A/S v Partenreederei Hannah Blumenthal [1983] 1 AC 854 referred to Preston v Carmody (1993) 44 FCR 1 cited R v Apostilides (1984) 154 CLR 563 applied R v Esposito (1998) 45 NSWLR 442 referred to R v Soma (2003) 212 CLR 299 cited Re Refugee Tribunal ex parte Aala (2000) 204 CLR 82 applied Re Ruddock; Ex parte Applicant S154/2002 (2003) 201 ALR 437 referred to Shaw v The Queen (1952) 85 CLR 365 discussed Stead v State Government Insurance Commission (1986) 161 CLR 141 considered Titheradge v The King (1917) 24 CLR 107 applied Vakauta v Kelly (1989) 167 CLR 568 considered Whitehorn v The Queen (1983) 152 CLR 657 referred to Yuill v Yuill [1945] P 15 cited