State of New South Wales v Jackson [2007] NSWCA 279

Appeal Outcome: Special leave refused with costs by the High Court - 16 May 2008

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: State of New South Wales v Jackson [2007] NSWCA 279

HEARING DATE(S): 23 July 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 10 October 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Mason P at 1; Beazley JA at 2; Giles JA at 3

DECISION: Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: PRIVILEGE - client legal privilege - school accident - accident form completed by teacher - teacher obtained statements from witnesses - whether statements were confidential documents within meaning in Evidence Act 1995 - consideration of implied obligation not to disclose contents - no obligation - not confidential documents - whether court will inspect documents for which privilege claimed - can inspect and did so because might have contained something material to confidentiality - whether dominant purpose of provision of professional legal services relating to anticipated proceedings - consideration of when proceedings are anticipated - was the dominant purpose - but statements not privileged because not confidential documents.

LEGISLATION CITED: Evidence Act 1995, Div 1 Pt 3.10

Amalgamated Television Services Ltd v Marsden [1999] NSWCA 97; Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd (1998) 81 FCR 526; Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Rural Press Ltd (2000) 96 FCR 141; AWB Ltd v Cole (2006) 152 FCR 382; Bulk Materials (Coal Handling) Services Pty Ltd v Coal and Allied Operations Pty Ltd (1998) 13 NSWLR 689; Carnell v Mann (1998) 89 FCR 247; Cataldi v Commissioner for Government Transport (1970) 1 NSWLR 65; Drabsch v Switzerland General Insurance Co Ltd [1999] NSWSC 975; Esso Australia Resources Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (1999) 201 CLR 49; Fagan v State of New South Wales [2004] NSWCA 182; Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd (2005) 60 ATR 466; General Accident Assurance Company v Chrusz (1999) 180 DLR (4th) 241; Grant v Downs (1976) 135 CLR 674; Harmony Shipping Co v Saudi Europe Line (1979) 1 WLR 1380; CASES CITED: J-Corp Pty Ltd v Australian Builders Labourers Federated Union of Workers (1992) 110 ALR 510; Mallalla District Council v Livestock Markets Ltd (2006) 94 SASR 258; Mann v Carnell (1999) 201 CLR 1; Mitsubishi Electric Australia Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority (2002) 4 VR 332; Newcastle Wallsend Coal Co Pty Ltd v Court of Coal Mines Regulation (1997) 42 NSWLR 351; Nickmar Pty Ltd v Preservatrice Skandia Insurance Ltd (1985) 3 NSWLR 44; Ritz Hotel Ltd v Charles of the Ritz Ltd (No 22) (1988) 14 NSWLR 132; Seven Network Ltd v News Ltd [2005] FCA 864; Seven Network Ltd v News Ltd [2005] FCAFC 125; Sydney Airports Corporation Ltd v Singapore Airlines Ltd [2005] NSWCA 47; Tooheys Ltd v Housing Commission of New South Wales (1952) 20 LGR 236; Trade Practices Commission v Sterling (1979) 36 FLR 244; Rickard Constructions Pty Ltd v Rickard Hails Moretti Pty Ltd [2006] NSWSC 234; Warner v Women's Hospital (1954) VLR 410; Woollahra Municipal Council v Westpac Banking Corporation (1994) 33 NSWLR 529.