COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIVE SERVICES & 2 Ors v WEDGE [2006] NSWCA 271

Reported Decision : 68 NSWLR 334

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIVE SERVICES & 2 Ors v WEDGE [2006] NSWCA 271

HEARING DATE(S): 28/09/06

JUDGMENT DATE: 6 October 2006

JUDGMENT OF: Santow JA at 1; Ipp JA at 50; Bryson JA at 107

DECISION: Appeal allowed. See orders at [49].

CATCHWORDS: MENTAL HEALTH - habeas corpus - relationship between the criminal justice system and the mental health system - order by Magistrate that respondent be released on expiration of non-parole period - respondent transferred to hospital under s 97 of the Mental Health Act 1990 (NSW) - by virtue of the transfer respondent became a forensic patient - discussion of the definition of forensic patient under the Mental Health Act - expiry of non-parole period - discussion of the meaning of parole - whether respondent is entitled to be released by virtue of the Magistrate's order - source of power to detain a person following transfer under s 97 - nature of power under s 97 - nature of power under s 86(4) of the Mental Health Act - relationship between ss 86(4) and 97. D

Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 3(1), 23, 130, 169, 170 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), ss 7(4), 5AAA(5) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 44(1), 50(1) LEGISLATION CITED: Habeas Corpus Act 1679, s 8 Imperial Acts Application Act (1969) (NSW), s 6, 2nd Sch Pt 1 Bail Act 1978 (NSW) Mental Health Act 1990 (NSW), ss 82(1)(a), 82(4), 82(5)(b), 84, 84(2), 86(1), 86(1)(b), 86(3) & (4), 87(4), 90, 90(2), 91(1), 92, 92, 3) 95(1), 97,100, 100A, 100A(1), 107, 107(b), 113 Mental Health (Criminal Procedure) Act 1990, ss 10(3)(c), 14, 14(b)(ii) & (iii), 17(2), 17(3), 25, 27, 39 (1)