Health Care Complaints Commission v Robinson [2022] NSWCA 164

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Health Care Complaints Commission v Robinson [2022] NSWCA 164 Hearing dates: 3 May 2022 Date of orders: 26 August 2022 Decision date: 26 August 2022 Before: Leeming JA at [1]; Kirk JA at [24]; Simpson AJA at [40]. Decision: 1. Appeal allowed. 2. The whole of the Application for Disciplinary Findings and Orders filed by the Health Care Complaints Commission on 9 April 2020 be reconsidered by the Tribunal in accordance with these reasons. 3. The respondent is to pay the appellant's costs of the appeal. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONS — Heath practitioners — Misconduct and discipline — Disciplinary proceedings — ophthalmologist conducted breast and abdominal examination in circumstances where examination not indicated — application by Health Care Complaints Commission to NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking finding of professional misconduct —Tribunal found only unsatisfactory professional conduct — whether Tribunal erred in equating inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature with conduct that is sexually motivated — two-stage procedure for determination of disciplinary complaints — meaning of "interlocutory decision" in Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW) Legislation Cited: Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW), ss 4, 36, 83, Sch 5 District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 127 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 75 Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW), ss 138, 139, 139B, 139E, 149, 149A-D, 165B, 165L Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW), ss 296, 297 Health Practitioner Regulation (NSW) Regulation 2016 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), ss 48, 101, 103 Cases Cited: AAI Trading as GIO as Agent for the Nominal Defendant v McGiffen (2016) 77 MVR 348; [2016] NSWCA 229 Autodesk Inc v Dyason [No 2] (1993) 176 CLR 300; [1993] HCA 6 Carr v Finance Corporation of Australia Ltd (No 1) (1981) 147 CLR 246; [1981] HCA 20 Castle Constructions Pty Ltd v Sahab Holdings Pty Ltd [No 2] [2013] HCA 44; 87 ALJR 1159 Chen v Health Care Complaints Commission (2017) 95 NSWLR 334; [2017] NSWCA 186 Computer Edge Pty Ltd v Apple Computer Inc (1984) 54 ALR 767; [1984] HCA 47 Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v EFA (a pseudonym) (2012) 106 NSWLR 383; [2021] NSWCA 339 Damjanovic v Sharpe Hume & Co (Services) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 130 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 26; (2003) 77 ALJR 1088 Elzahed v State of New South Wales (2018) 97 NSWLR 898; [2018] NSWCA 103 Ford v Inghams Enterprises Pty Ltd (No 3) [2020] FCA 1784 Gerlach v Clifton Bricks Pty Ltd (2002) 209 CLR 478; [2002] HCA 22 Hall v The Nominal Defendant (1966) 117 CLR 423; [1966] HCA 36 Health Care Complaints Commission v Do [2014] NSWCA 307 Health Care Complaints Commission v Karalasingham [2017] NSWCA 267 Health Care Complaints Commission v Priyamanna [2015] NSWCA TOD 138 Health Care Complaints Commission v Sultan [2018] NSWCA 303 Health Care Complaints Commission v Robinson [2021] NSWCATOD 142 Hill v Fladgate [1910] 1 Ch 489 King v Health Care Complaints Commision [2011] NSWCA 353 Licul v Corney (1976) 180 CLR 213; [1976] HCA 6 Livers v Legal Services Commissioner (2020) 103 NSWLR 738; [2020] NSWCA 317 Lucire v Health Care Complaints Commission [2011] NSWCA 99 Macedonian Orthodox Community Church St Petka Incorporated v His Eminence Petar The Diocesan Bishop of The Macedonian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (2008) 237 CLR 66; [2008] HCA 42 Michael Wilson & Partners Ltd v Nicholls (2011) 244 CLR 427; [2011] HCA 48 Petch v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [2022] NSWCA 33 Tangsilsat v Council of the Law Society of New South Wales [2019] NSWCA 144 Triden Properties Ltd v Capita Financial Group Ltd [1993] NSWCA 272 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Health Care Complaints Commission (Appellant) David Isaac Matzner Robinson (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J S Emmett SC/R McEwen (Appellant) A Francis/Z Alderton (Respondent)