W v M & ors [2009] NSWSC 1084

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : W v M & ors [2009] NSWSC 1084

HEARING DATE(S) : 16 September 2009 JURISDICTION : Equity Division

JUDGMENT OF : Brereton J

EX TEMPORE JUDGMENT DATE : 9 October 2009

DECISION : Proceedings to continue in closed court and access to court file restricted. Publication of information that would tend to reveal identity of parties and witnesses prohibited, and publication of proceedings prohibited except to extent that already in public domain via reported judgments

CATCHWORDS : COURTS AND JUDGES – Proceedings in closed court – "Suppression orders" – where interlocutory injunction previously granted to restrain publication of imputations defamatory of plaintiff and in contempt of court – whether order should be made prohibiting publication of proceedings - principle of open justice – exception where open justice would defeat ends of justice – where disclosure of information that would permit or facilitate identification of W would defeat ends of justice – where some aspects of proceeding already in public domain

LEGISLATION CITED : (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005, s 71, s 72

CATEGORY : Principal judgment

Cleland v Cleland (1914) 109 LT 744 Director-General, Department of Community Services, Re Jules [2008] NSWSC 1193 John Fairfax & Sons v Police Tribunal (1986) 5 NSWLR 465 John Fairfax Publications v District Court of New South Wales (2004) 61 NSWLR 344 John Fairfax Publications v Local Court (1991) 26 NSWLR 131 Moosbrugger v Moosbrugger (1913) 29 TLR 658 CASES CITED : Norman v Mathews (1916) 85 LJKB 857 R v Tait (1979) 24 ALR 473 Raybos Australia Pty Ltd v Jones (1985) 2 NSWLR 47 Re F (a minor) [1977] Fam 58, [1977] 1 All ER 114 Russell v Russell (1976) 134 CLR 495 Scott v Scott [1913] AC 417 The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd v Magistrates Court of Victoria [1999] VSC 232 Y & Z v W [2007] NSWCA 329, (2007) 70 NSWLR 377