Polsen v Harrison [2021] NSWCA 23

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Polsen v Harrison [2021] NSWCA 23 Hearing dates: 23 February 2021 Date of orders: 23 February 2021 Decision date: 03 March 2021 Before: Bell P; Basten JA; Simpson AJA Decision: 1. Leave to appeal granted. 2. Appeal dismissed with costs. Catchwords: COURTS AND JUDGES – bias – application for recusal – application declined – judge commented on role of plaintiff's expert at conclave – comments made during preliminary discussion as to amended pleading – whether a fair-minded lay observer might think judge might have pre-judged credibility of witness APPEALS – jurisdiction – appeal from "judgment or order" – refusal of a recusal application – application for disqualification made orally without notice of motion – whether refusal was a "judgment or order WORDS AND PHRASES — "judgment or order" – "fair-minded lay observer" Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 57 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), ss 19, 101 Cases Cited: AB v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [2016] NSWCA 73 AJH Lawyers Pty Ltd v Careri (2011) 34 VR 236; [2011] VSCA 425 Almeida v Opportunity Equity Partners Ltd [2006] UKPC 44 Aon Risk Services Australia Limited v Australian National University (2009) 239 CLR 175; [2009] HCA 27 Barakat v Goritsas [2012] NSWCA 8 Barton v Walker [1979] 2 NSWLR 740 British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd v Laurie (2011) 242 CLR 283; [2011] HCA 2 Chamoun v District Court of New South Wales [2018] NSWCA 187 CNY17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2019) 94 ALJR 140; [2019] HCA 50 Concrete Pty Ltd v Paramatta Design & Developments Pty Ltd (2006) 229 CLR 577; [2006] HCA 55 CUR24 v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (2012) 83 NSWLR 385; [2012] NSWCA 65 Day v Saunders [2015] NSWSC 173 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 337; [2000] HCA 63 Galea v Galea (1990) 19 NSWLR 263 Gas & Fuel Corporation Superannuation Fund v Saunders (1994) 52 FCR 48 Grollo v Palmer (1995) 184 CLR 348; [1995] HCA 26 IOOF Australia Trustees Ltd v Seas Sapfor Forests Pty Ltd (1999) 78 SASR 151; [1999] SASC 249 Isbester v Knox City Council (2015) 255 CLR 135; [2015] HCA 20 Johnson v Johnson (2000) 201 CLR 488; [2000] HCA 48 Kostov v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (No 2) [2020] NSWCA 94 Laws v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1990) 170 CLR 70; [1990] HCA 31 Livesey v New South Wales Bar Association (1983) 151 CLR 288; [1983] HCA 17 McGovern v Ku-Ring-Gai Council (2008) 72 NSWLR 504 Michael Wilson & Partners v Nicholls (2011) 244 CLR 427; [2011] HCA 48 North Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service Inc v Bradley (2004) 218 CLR 146; [2004] HCA 31 Polsen v Harrison (No 3) [2021] NSWSC 125 Re JRL; Ex parte CJL (1986) 161 CLR 342 371; [1986] HCA 39 Re Refugee Review Tribunal; Ex parte H (2001) 179 ALR 425; [2001] HCA 28 Reid v Commercial Club (Albury) Limited [2014] NSWCA 98 Rouvinetis v Knoll [2013] NSWCA 24 S&M Motor Repairs Pty Ltd v Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd (1988) 12 NSWLR 358 Stollery v Greyhound Racing Control Board (1972) 128 CLR 509; [1972] HCA 53 Tarrant v R [2018] NSWCCA 21 Vakauta v Kelly (1989) 167 CLR 568; [1989] HCA 44 Webb v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 41; [1994] HCA 30 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Katrina Marie Polsen (Applicant) Dr Richard Harrison (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: M J Cranitch SC / J A Hillier (Applicant) M Windsor SC / M Hutchings (Respondent)