Natural Resources Access Regulator v Harris; Natural Resources Access Regulator v Timmins (No 2) [2021] NSWLEC 18

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Natural Resources Access Regulator v Harris; Natural Resources Access Regulator v Timmins (No 2) [2021] NSWLEC 18 Hearing dates: 4 February 2021 Date of orders: 10 March 2021 Decision date: 10 March 2021 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pain J Decision: (1) The Defendants' application for costs under the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) is dismissed. (2) Costs are reserved. (3) The Prosecutor has liberty to apply. (4) The exhibits are returned. Catchwords: COSTS – prosecutor should not be ordered to pay costs as provided for by s 257D of Criminal Procedure Act 1986 following dismissal of charges – proceedings not conducted improperly or unreasonably – investigation not conducted improperly or unreasonably – proceedings not initiated without reasonable cause – no exceptional circumstances justifying award of costs Legislation Cited: Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) ss 143, 150, 247E, 247J, 257, 257C, 257D, 257G Criminal Procedure Amendment (Case Management) Act 2009 (NSW) Water Management Act 2000 (NSW) s 91G, 91I, 338A, 364 Cases Cited: Boucher v The Queen [1955] S.C.R. 16 Canceri v Taylor (1994) 123 ALR 667 Commercial Union Assurance Co of Australia Ltd v Ferrcom Pty Ltd (1991) 22 NSWLR 389 Council of Kangan Batman Institute of Technology and Further Education v Australian Industrial Relations Commission (2006) 156 FCR 275; [2006] FCAFC 199 Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) v Ngo (2012) 227 A Crim R 287; [2012] NSWSC 1521 Dyers v The Queen (2002) 210 CLR 285; [2002] HCA 45 Fosse v Director of Public Prosecutions [1999] NSWSC 367 Gordon Plath of the Department of Environment and Climate Change v Vurlow; Hockey; Southton [2009] NSWLEC 102 Gould v Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (2018) 273 A Crim R 91; [2018] NSWCCA 109 Grey v The Queen (2001) 75 ALJR 1708; [2001] HCA 65 JD v Director of Public Prosecutions [2000] NSWSC 1092 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298; [1959] HCA 8 Kanan v Australian Postal and Telecommunications Union (1992) 43 IR 257; [1992] FCA 539 Kogarah City Council v El Khouri (2014) 212 LGERA 208; [2014] NSWLEC 196 Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534; [1990] HCA 59 Lismore City Council v Ihalainen (No 3) (2015) 212 LGERA 222; [2015] NSWLEC 53 Mallard v The Queen (2005) 224 CLR 125; [2005] HCA 68 Natural Resources Access Regulator v Budvalt Pty Ltd; Harris; Harris; Timmins (2019) 240 LGERA 221; [2019] NSWLEC 169 Natural Resources Access Regulator v Harris; Natural Resources Access Regulator v Timmins [2020] NSWLEC 104 Pittwater Council v A1 Professional Tree Recycling Pty Ltd (No 3) (2009) 165 LGERA 6; [2009] NSWLEC 21 R v Farquharson (2009) 26 VR 410; [2009] VSCA 307 R v Apostilides (1984) 154 CLR 563; [1984] HCA 38 R v Lipton (2011) 82 NSWLR 123; [2011] NSWCCA 247 R v Mockbel (Ruling No 1) [2005] VSC 410 R v Moore; Ex parte Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia (1978) 140 CLR 470; [1978] HCA 51 R v Reardon (No 2) (2004) 60 NSWLR 454; [2004] NSWCCA 197 R v Spiteri (2004) 61 NSWLR 369; [2004] NSWCCA 321 Re Australian Education Union (NT) (No 2) [2011] FCA 728 Southon v Plath on behalf of the Department of Environment and Climate Change (2010) 181 LGERA 352; [2010] NSWCCA 292 Wollongong City Council v Ensile Pty Ltd (No 9) [2008] NSWLEC 248 Texts Cited: Macquarie Dictionary (online at 5 March 2021) Category: Costs Parties: Matter Nos 18/238837-39 Natural Resources Access Regulator (Prosecutor) Peter Harris (Defendant)