CF v The State of New South Wales [2003] NSWSC 572

Reported Decision : 58 NSWLR 135

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : CF v The State of New South Wales [2003] NSWSC 572 HEARING DATE(S) : 6/6/03, 11/6/03, 12/6/03 JUDGMENT DATE : 12 June 2003

JUDGMENT OF : O'Keefe J DECISION : Order that the interlocutory injunction granted on 6 June 2003 and continued thereafter be dissolved.

CATCHWORDS : Injunction - Interlocutory injunction - Education - School - School discipline - Drugs - Illegal substances - Government policy that schools be absolutely free of illegal drugs - Implementation of policy in public schools - Suspension of student in public schools - Headmaster's power to suspend a student in public schools - Procedures for suspension and expulsion of students in public schools - Procedural fairness - Natural justice - Right to be heard - Absence of independent person at interview - Reference to police in introduction to interview - Information that students should be given - Safety and welfare of student - Safety and welfare of school generally - Damages - Irreparable harm or injury - Balance of convenience - Considerations include those of defendant which comprehend adverse effects on school discipline, both particular and general LEGISLATION CITED : Education Act 1990 - s 35 Evidence Act 1995 - s 55 Acuthan v Coates (1986) 6 NSWLR 472 Albarran v Envirostar Energy Ltd [2002] NSWSC 108 Australian Broadcasting Corporation v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd (2001) 76 ALJR 1 Beecham Group Pty Ltd v Bristol Laboratories Pty Ltd (1968) 118 CLR 618 Bushell v Environment Secretary (1981) AC 75 Business World Computers v Telecom (1988) 82 ALR 499 at 503 CASES CITED : Carson v Minister for Education (Qld) (1989) 25 FCR 326 Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1986) 161 CLR 148 Films Rover International Limited v Canon Film Sales Ltd (1986) 3 All ER 772 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 Kioa v West (1985) 159 CLR 550 O'Hare v DPP [2000] NSWSC McCarty v Council of the Municipality of North Sydney (1918) 18 SR (NSW) 210 Shercliff v Engadine Acceptance Corporation Pty Ltd (1978) 1 NSWLR 729 CF BM PARTIES : JM JR The State of New South Wales (Department of Education) FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 11424/03 COUNSEL : P: Mr A McAvoy D: Ms A Johnson (sol.) SOLICITORS : P: Ms L Goodchild (National Children's & Youth Law Centre) A: Ms A Johnson (State Crown Solicitors' Office)