Kwu v R [2024] NSWCCA 199

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Kwu v R [2024] NSWCCA 199 Hearing dates: 23 October 2024 Date of orders: 23 October 2024 Decision date: 22 November 2024 Before: Kirk JA at [1]; Rothman J at [46]; Yehia J at [47] Decision: (1) Extend time in which to seek leave to appeal to 16 August 2024. (2) Grant leave to appeal. (3) Appeal allowed such that the conviction of the applicant on each of the counts alleged against him in the indictment dated 27 July 2020 is quashed. (4) A new trial be held on each count. (5) List the proceedings for mention at the Sydney District Court on Friday 1 November 2024 in the short matters list. (6) Pending any application for release bail is refused, noting bail has not been applied for. Catchwords: JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS – Appeal raising issue materially indistinguishable from co-accused's earlier appeal – Principles as to whether to depart from previous decision of this Court – Whether established "plainly wrong" threshold applies – Principle of equality before the law requires that differently constituted bench of the same court should follow the earlier decision unless compelling reason to depart APPEALS – Procedure – Time limits – Significant delay – Extension of time granted given reasonable explanations and merit in appeal Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 97(2), 154A(1)(b) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 10(1)(b) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 38 Cases Cited: Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Personnel Contracting Pty Ltd [2020] FCAFC 122; (2020) 279 FCR 631 David William Pallas & Julie Ann Pallas as trustees for the Pallas Family Superannuation Fund v Lendlease Corporation Ltd [2024] NSWCA 83; (2024) 114 NSWLR 81 Elias v The Queen [2013] HCA 31; (2013) 248 CLR 483 Gett v Tabet [2009] NSWCA 76; (2009) 109 NSWLR 1 Green v The Queen [2011] HCA 49; (2011) 244 CLR 462 Hili v The Queen [2010] HCA 45; (2010) 242 CLR 520 Hill v Zuda Pty Ltd [2022] HCA 21; (2022) 275 CLR 24 Ilievski v R; Nolan v R (No 2) [2023] NSWCCA 248; (2023) 112 NSWLR 375 Ilievski v R; Nolan v R [2018] NSWCCA 164 Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37; (2014) 252 CLR 601 Kwu v R [2019] NSWCCA 75 Moore (a pseudonym) v The King [2024] HCA 30; (2024) 98 ALJR 1119 Moriarty v Nye [2024] NSWCCA 116 Sayer-Jones v R [2024] NSWCCA 54 Totaan v R [2022] NSWCCA 75; (2022) 108 NSWLR 17 Transurban City Link Ltd v Allan [1999] FCA 1723; (1999) 95 FCR 553 Wong v The Queen [2001] HCA 64; (2001) 207 CLR 584 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Muhamad Dean Kwu (Applicant) Crown (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: K Averre and H Thomas-Dubler (Applicant) J Styles (Respondent)