La Rocca v R [2023] NSWCCA 45

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: La Rocca v R [2023] NSWCCA 45 Hearing dates: 3 March 2023 Date of orders: 10 March 2023 Decision date: 10 March 2023 Before: Bell CJ at [1]; Davies J at [66]; N Adams J at [67] Decision: 1. Grant leave to appeal. 2. Allow the appeal. 3. Set aside the notice of motion for a permanent stay of proceedings. 4. Order that that the proceedings be permanently stayed. Catchwords: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE – where permanent stay of criminal proceedings sought - inherent power to prevent abuse of process - whether administration of justice would be brought into disrepute if proceedings permitted to continue – external appearance of consignment altered causing conceded incurable disadvantage to accused - where conduct of police deprived applicant of practical ability to seek to argue statutory defence – whether primary judge's exercise of discretion in refusing stay of proceedings miscarried Legislation Cited: Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) s 5F(3) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) ss 11.1(1) and 307.5(1) Law Enforcement (Controlled Operations) Act 1997 (NSW) s 13(a) Cases Cited: Barton v The Queen (1980) 147 CLR 75; [1980] HCA 48 Bunning v Cross (1978) 141 CLR 54; [1978] HCA 22 Dupas v The Queen (2010) 241 CLR 237; [2010] HCA 20 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Jago v District Court (NSW) (1989) 168 CLR 23; [1989] HCA 46 La Rocca v R [2021] NSWCCA 116 Lee v The Queen (2014) 253 CLR 455; [2014] HCA 20 Moti v The Queen (2011) 245 CLR 456; [2011] HCA 50 R v Glennon (1992) 173 CLR 592; [1992] HCA 16 R v Grant [2009] 2 SCR 353 R v Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court; ex parte Bennett [1994] 1 AC 42 Ridgeway v The Queen (1995) 184 CLR 19; [1995] HCA 66 Rogers v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 251; [1994] HCA 42 Strickland (a pseudonym) v Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (2018) 266 CLR 325; [2018] HCA 53 Truong v The Queen (2004) 223 CLR 122; [2004] HCA 10 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Jason La Rocca (Applicant) The Crown (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: