Thomas v State of New South Wales [2007] NSWSC 160

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Thomas v State of New South Wales [2007] NSWSC 160

HEARING DATE(S) : 16 February 2007 JURISDICTION : Common Law Division

JUDGMENT OF : Price J at 1

EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE : 19 February 2007

DECISION : Objections by State to admissability rejected.

CATCHWORDS : Evidence - transcripts of Police Royal Commission - business records - police verbal - previous representation - Royal Commission not a proceeding - Pt 31 r 31.9 Uniform Civil Procedure Rule 2005 - cross-claim against former police officer - future proceedings - State not entitled to protection of s 17(2) Royal Commissions Act 1923 - s 63 Evidence Act - reasonable steps to find witness - s 135 Evidence Act - - no unfair prejudice when State could take reasonable steps to remove prejudice.

Evidence Act 1995 s 59(2), s 63, s 69(1)(2), s 69(3)(a), s 135, Dictionary Part 2, Clause 4 (1)(e) Police Royal Commission Act 1994 s 5, s 17 Royal Commissions Act 1923 s 17(2) LEGISLATION CITED : Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Pt 31 r 31.9 Law Reform (Vicarious Liability) Act s 6, s 8, Pt 4, s 9A, s 9B, Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 s 5 Royal Commission (Police Service) Act 1994 s5

Bayeh v State Government of New South Wales [1999] NSWSC 1070 Brambles Construction Pty Limited and Helmers (1965) 114 CLR 213. CASES CITED : Duke v State of New South Wales & Five Ors (NSWSC, Barr J, unrep 17 October 2006) Great Atlantic Insurance Co v Home Insurance Co [1981] 2 All ER 484 Hartman v Commissioner of Police (1997) 91 A Crim R 141