R v RC [2024] NSWDC 239

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v RC [2024] NSWDC 239 Hearing dates: 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 May 2024 Date of orders: 27 May 2024 Decision date: 27 May 2024 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: McGuire SC DCJ Decision: The application is dismissed Catchwords: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — stay of proceedings — permanent – application for permanent stay of a special hearing following finding applicant not fit to stand trial – matter to proceed by way of judge alone special hearing – principles applicable where application based on common humanity ground – degree of impaired cognitive functioning – reduced life expectancy – suicidal ideation – evidence of physical independence – evidence of cognitive thought processes – general principles applicable to permanent stay applications Legislation Cited: Court Suppression and Non-publication Orders Act 2010 (NSW) Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 (NSW) Cases Cited: Arrivoli v R [2017] NSWDC 112 Barton v R (1980) 147 CLR 75 Batistatos v Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (2006) 226 CLR 256 Jago v District Court of New South Wales (1989) 168 CLR 23 Kitchingman v R [2023] NSWCCA 4 Koschier v R [2024] NSWCCA 24 R v Crawford (Unreported) Flannery DCJ 1 November 2018 R v Edwards [2009] HCA 20; (2009) 83 ALRJ 717 R v Hakim (1989) 41 A Crim R 372 R v Koschier [2023] NSWDC 323 R v Murray [2011] NSWDC 258 R v O'Neill (No 2) [2023] NSWDC 572 R v RD [2016] NSWCCA 84 Subramaniam v R [2004] HCA 51 TS v R [2014] NSWCCA 174 Walton v Gardiner (1993) 177 CLR 378; [1993] HCA 77 Category: Principal judgment Parties: RC (Applicant) Rex (Respondent/Crown) Representation: Counsel: R Pettit (Applicant) J Mehta (Respondent)