M. & S. Investments (NSW) Pty Ltd v Affordable Demolitions and Excavations Pty Ltd [2024] NSWCA 151

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: M. & S. Investments (NSW) Pty Ltd v Affordable Demolitions and Excavations Pty Ltd [2024] NSWCA 151 Hearing dates: 31 May 2024 Date of orders: 19 June 2024 Decision date: 19 June 2024 Before: Ward P and Mitchelmore JA at [1]; Preston CJ of LEC at [2] Decision: (1) Set aside the orders made by Pain J on 20 October 2023 in proceedings 2021/00261153, 2021/00261157, 2021/00261167, 2021/00261172 and 2021/00261176 dismissing the summonses in those proceedings. (2) Set aside the orders made by Pain J on 20 October 2023 in proceedings 2021/00261153, 2021/00261157, 2021/00261167, 2021/00261172 and 2021/00261176 that M. & S. Investments (NSW) Pty Ltd pay each defendant's costs pursuant to s 257C of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986. (3) Set aside the orders made by Pain J on 20 October 2023 in proceedings 2021/00261153, 2021/00261157, 2021/00261167, 2021/00261172 and 2021/00261176 dismissing M. & S. Investments (NSW) Pty Ltd's notice of motion dated 13 October 2023. (4) Remit the matter of M. & S. Investments (NSW) Pty Ltd's notice of motion dated 13 October 2023 to be determined according to law and this Court's reasons for decision. (5) Make no order as to costs of either the judicial review proceedings 2024/00017397 or the appeal under s 5F of the Criminal Appeal Act 1912. Catchwords: ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING – offences – unlawful disposal of asbestos waste – summons wrongly stating date of commission of offence – stated date preceded date on which offence commenced – summons dismissed as not disclosing offence known to law – appeal – misconstruction and misapplication of applicable statutes APPEAL – dismissal of summons as not disclosing offence known to law – summons wrongly stated date of commission of offence – stated date preceded date on which offence commenced – misconstruction and misapplication of Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) – decision not to allow amendment of summons to correct date – misunderstanding of applicable power to amend - misunderstanding of prosecutor's argument as to how offence committed Legislation Cited: Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 5F Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), ss 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 94, 257C, Pt 2 Justices Act 1902 (NSW), s 65 Land and Environment Court Act 1979 (NSW), ss 21, 68, Part 8 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW), ss 144AA, 216 Supreme Court (Criminal Appeal) Rules 2021 (NSW), r 3.5 Cases Cited: Baulkham Hills Shire Council v Basemount Pty Ltd (2003) 126 LGERA 339; [2003] NSWCA 189 Bennett v Daniels (1912) 12 SR (NSW) 134 Cook v Cook (1923) 33 CLR 369 Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) v Knight (2006) 162 A Crim R 555; (2006) NSW 646 Ebner v Official Trustee In Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 337; [2000] HCA 63 Environment Protection Authority v CSR Ltd t/as CSR Woodpanels (2001) 114 LGERA 217; [2001] NSWLEC 41 Epacris Pty Ltd v Director-General, Department of Natural Resources (2007) 69 NSWLR 507; [2007] NSWCCA 76 Fleet v Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals NSW [2008] NSWCA 227 Kovacevic v Queanbeyan City Council [2016] NSWCA 346 Penson v Titan National Pty Ltd [2015] NSWCA 404 R v Dossi (1918) 13 Cr App R 158 Reg v Justelius [1973] 1 NSWLR 471 Regina v VHP, Court of Criminal Appeal, 20 August 1997 WGC v The Queen (2007) 233 CLR 66; [2007] HCA 58 Category: Principal judgment Parties: M. & S. Investments (NSW) Pty Ltd (Applicant) Affordable Demolitions & Excavations Pty Ltd (First Respondent) Chalita Boutros (Second Respondent) Angela Carbone (Third Respondent) Domenic Carbone (Fourth Respondent) Rimon Boutros (Fifth Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr R Tripodi (Applicant) Mr P Boncardo (Third and Fourth Respondents)