Environment Protection Authority v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2023] NSWLEC 94

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd [2023] NSWLEC 94 Hearing dates: 14 September 2023 Date of orders: 15 September 2023 Decision date: 15 September 2023 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Pritchard J Decision: The defendant's application that Pritchard J recuse herself from hearing these proceedings is dismissed. Catchwords: COURTS AND JUDGES – bias – application for recusal – apprehension of bias – attendance of person in chambers during trial – part heard trial – whether a fair-minded lay observer might reasonably apprehend that the judge might not bring an impartial and unprejudiced mind to the resolution of the question the judge is required to decide – "unconsciously compromised" – application dismissed. Legislation Cited: Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (Cth) ss 64(1), 140(1) Cases Cited: Attorney-General (NSW) v Bar Mordecai [2009] NSWSC 117 Charisteas v Charisteas (2021) 273 CLR 289; [2021] HCA 29 CUR24 v Director of Public Prosecutions (2012) 83 NSWLR 385; [2012] NSWCA 65 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 337; [2000] HCA 63 Johnson v Johnson (2000) 201 CLR 488; [2000] HCA 48 Kaldas v Barbour (No 2) [2016] NSWSC 1886 Lindon v Commonwealth of Australia (No 2) (1996) 136 ALR 251; (1996) 70 ALJR 541; [1996] HCA 14 McIver v R [2020] NSWCCA 343 Michael Wilson & Partners Ltd v Nicholls (2011) 244 CLR 427; [2011] HCA 48 Polsen v Harrison [2021] NSWCA 23 Re JRL; Ex parte CJL (1986) 161 CLR 342; [1986] HCA 39 Vakauta v Kelly (1989) 167 CLR 568; [1989] HCA 44 Webb v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 41; [1994] HCA 30 Whalebone v Auto Panel Beaters & Radiators Pty Ltd (in liq) [2011] NSWCA 176 Texts Cited: Nil Category: Procedural rulings Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: C Leggat SC, A Garsia, G Marsden (Prosecutor) T Howard SC (Defendant)