ERCEG v THE DISTRICT COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES & ANOR & VIRGIN v THE DISTRICT COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES & ANOR [2003] NSWCA 379

Reported Decision : 143 A Crim R 455

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : ERCEG v THE DISTRICT COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES & ANOR & VIRGIN v THE DISTRICT COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES & ANOR [2003] NSWCA 379 HEARING DATE(S) : 28/11/2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 19 December 2003

JUDGMENT OF : Sheller JA at 1; McColl JA at 30; Palmer J at 178 DECISION : 1. Summons dismissed; 2. Second Opponent to pay the claimants' costs.

CATCHWORDS : CRIMINAL LAW – Sentencing – Declaratory relief sought where ambiguity as to the length of non-parole period imposed – what constitutes the record of sentence in a s 51A matter – whether sentence contrary to law or failing to impose a penalty so as to attract the jurisdiction to reopen under s 43 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act – whether declaratory relief appropriate in the circumstances. Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 LEGISLATION CITED : District Court Act 1973 Justices Act 1902 Supreme Court Act 1970 Carion (2002) 128 A CrimR 29 Ho v The Director of Public Prosecutions (1995) 37 NSWLR 393 CASES CITED : Lee v Mallam (1910) 27 WN (NSW) 203 R v Henry & Ors (1999) 46 NSWLR 346 Stephens (1991) 48 A CrimR 323 Leon Maurice ERCEG - Claimant PARTIES : Jason Lee VIRGIN - Claimant The District Court of New South Wales - First Opponent Director of Public Prosecutions - Second Opponent FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40909/03; 41030/03 J Basten QC - Claimant (Erceg) COUNSEL : M Ramagee - Claimant (Virgin) Submitting appearance for 1st Opponent RD Cogswell SC / JM Levy - 2nd Opponent Steve O'Connor - Legal Aid - Claimant (Erceg) SOLICITORS : Jeffreys & Associate - Claimant (Virgin) Director of Public Prosecutions - 1st & 2nd Opponent