Midas Management Pty Ltd v Equator Communications Pty Ltd (No 2) [2009] NSWSC 1034

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Midas Management Pty Ltd v Equator Communications Pty Ltd (No 2) [2009] NSWSC 1034

HEARING DATE(S) : 16 April 2009

JUDGMENT DATE : 30 September 2009

JURISDICTION : Common Law

JUDGMENT OF : Rothman J

(i) Leave to appeal be granted against the interlocutory orders of his Honour Local Court Magistrate Dillon of 7 August 2008 in this matter;

(ii) Judgment for the defendant in these proceedings;

DECISION : (iii) Appeal be dismissed;

(iv) The plaintiff, Midas Management Pty Ltd, pay the defendants' costs of and incidental to these proceedings, as agreed or assessed;

(v) The proceedings otherwise be dismissed.

CATCHWORDS : COURTS AND JUDGES – bias – disqualification – apprehended bias – same judicial officer concluding proceedings after remitter from appeal court – no prejudgment – no basis for reasonable apprehension – only procedural issue remaining

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

ANI v Spedley (1992) 26 NSWLR 411 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [2000] HCA 63; (2000) 205 CLR 337 Johnson v Johnson [2000] HCA 48; (2000) 201 CLR 488 Livesey v New South Wales Bar Association [1983] HCA 17; (1983) 151 CLR 288 Midas Management v Equator Communications [2008] NSWSC 255 Petersen v Moloney [1951] HCA 57; (1951) 84 CLR 91 CASES CITED : R v Watson; Ex parte Armstrong [1976] HCA 39; (1976) 136 CLR 248 Raybos Australia Pty Ltd v Tectran Corporation Pty Ltd [No 4] (1986) 6 NSWLR 674 Re JRL; Ex parte CJL [1986] HCA 39; (1986) 161 CLR 342 Re Polites; Ex Parte Hoyts Corporation Pty Ltd [1991] HCA 25; (1991) 173 CLR 78 S & M Motor Repairs Pty Ltd v Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd (1988) 12 NSWLR 358 Steedman v Baulkham Hills Shire Council (No 2) (Court of Appeal, 13 August 1993, unreported) Vakauta v Kelly [1989] HCA 44; (1989) 167 CLR 568