Donohoe v Albulario [2025] NSWSC 9

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Donohoe v Albulario [2025] NSWSC 9 Hearing dates: 11 December 2024 Date of orders: 4 February 2025 Decision date: 04 February 2025 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Basten AJ Decision: (1) Grant the plaintiff leave to rely upon the further amended statement of claim filed in Court at the hearing. (2) Grant the plaintiff leave to appeal from the decision of the Appeal Panel delivered on 28 August 2024. (3) Allow the appeal and set aside the orders made by the Appeal Panel. (4) Order that the defendants pay the plaintiff's costs in this Court. Catchwords: APPEAL – question of law - Civil and Administrative Tribunal – internal appeal – claim of procedural unfairness – failure of Appeal Panel to identify claim as raising a question of law – application treated as requiring leave – refusal of leave did not mean there was no appeal – plaintiff party to an internal appeal – failure of Appeal Panel to identify appeal before it as of right constituted error on a question of law Legislation Cited: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth), s 44 Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW), ss 29, 32, Pt 4, Div 1, ss 38, 80, 83, 84 Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), Pt 6 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), s 78 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 69 Cases Cited: Allan v Transurban City Link Ltd (2001) 208 CLR 167; [2001] HCA 58 Attorney-General for the State of New South Wales v X (2000) 49 NSWLR 653; [2000] NSWCA 199 Clements v Independent Indigenous Advisory Committee (2003) 131 FCR 28; [2003] FCAFC 143 Collins v The Queen (1975) 133 CLR 120; [1975] HCA 60 Eaglesfield v Marquis of Londonderry (1876) 4 Ch D 693 Ekinci v Civil Aviation Safety Authority (2014) 227 FCR 459; [2014] FCAFC 180 Flightdeck Geelong Pty Ltd v All Options Pty Ltd (2020) 280 FCR 479; [2020] FCAFC 138 Haritos v Commissioner of Taxation (2015) 233 FCR 315; [2015] FCAFC 92 Hope v Bathurst City Council (1980) 144 CLR 1 Italiano v Carbone [2005] NSWCA 177; 215 ALR 162 Jedko Game Co Pty Ltd v Collector of Customs (NSW) [1987] FCA 74 Kostas v HIA Insurance Services Pty Ltd (2010) 241 CLR 390; [2010] HCA 32 Lavorato v R (2012) 82 NSWLR 568; [2012] NSWCCA 61 LPDT v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2024] HCA 12; 98 ALJR 610 Maurici v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue (2003) 212 CLR 111; [2003] HCA 8 Medical Council of New South Wales v Mooney [2024] NSWCA 180 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v WZARH (2015) 256 CLR 326; [2015] HCA 40 Mir Bros Unit Constructions Pty Ltd v Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW) [2006] NSWCA 314 Nathanson v Minister for Home Affairs (2022) 276 CLR 80; [2022] HCA 26 NSW Associated Blue-Metal Quarries Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1956) 94 CLR 509 Orr v Cobar Management Pty Ltd (2020) 103 NSWLR 36; [2020] NSWCCA 220 Re Refugee Review Tribunal; Ex parte Aala (2000) 204 CLR 82; [2000] HCA 57 Sharp Corporation of Australia Pty Ltd v Collector of Customs (1995) 59 FCR 6; [1995] FCA 707 STAR Training Academy Pty Limited v Commissioner of Police (No 2) [2022] NSWCATAP 98 Targeted Property Investments Pty Ltd v Look Up Technologies Pty Ltd (No 2) [2023] NSWSC 416; 20 BPR 43 Thomas v The King (1937) 59 CLR 279; [1937] HCA 83 Waterford v The Commonwealth (1987) 163 CLR 54; [1987] HCA 25 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Christopher Donohoe (Plaintiff) Crisanto Albulario (First Defendant) Ellen Albulario (Second Defendant) NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: DP O'Connor (Plaintiff) HM Atkin (First and Second Defendant)