McGuirk v University of NSW [2009] NSWSC 1058

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : McGuirk v University of NSW [2009] NSWSC 1058

HEARING DATE(S) : 03/08/09-06/08/09, 17/08/09-19/08/09, 14/09/09-28/09/09

JUDGMENT DATE : 6 November 2009

JUDGMENT OF : James J

DECISION : I dismiss pars 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15 of Mr McGuirk's notice of motion of 6 July 2009. I find that Mr McGuirk committed a contempt of court by sending the communications referred to in sub-pars (c), (d), (e), (g), (h), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t) and (u) of par 2 of the amended statement of charge annexed to the University's amended notice of motion of 4 July 2009 and the communications referred to in sub-pars (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of par 2 of the statement of charge annexed to the University's notice of motion of 7 July 2009. I dismiss the charge of contempt of court by scandalising the court made in the University's amended notice of motion of 4 July 2009.

CATCHWORDS : Contempt of court — disobedience to court order — scandalising the court — order of superior courts — truth as defence to charge of scandalising the court — real risk as matter of practical reality of interfering with course of justice

Civil Procedure Act Enclosed Lands Act Evidence Act Fair Trading Act LEGISLATION CITED : Freedom of Information Act Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 Protected Disclosures Act 1994 Trade Practices Act University of New South Wales Act 1989

Athens & anor v Randwick City Council (2005) 64 NSWLR 58 Attorney General (NSW) v Mundey [1972] 2 NSWLR 887 Baulderstone Hornibrook Engineering Pty Ltd v Gordian Runoff & ors [2008] NSWCA 243 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Cameron v Cole (1943-1944) 68 CLR 571 Director General of the Department of Community Services; re Sophie [2008] NSWCA 250 Doulaveras v Daher (2009) 253 ALR 627 European Asian Bank AG v Wentworth (1986) 5 NSWLR 445 Ex parte Attorney General; re Goodwin (1970) 91 WN (NSW) 29 Ex parte Forster; re University of Sydney (1963) 63 SR 723 Gerard Michael McGuirk v University of New South Wales [2009] NSWSC 253 Hearne v Street (2007) 70 NSWLR 231 Hearne v Street (2008) 235 CLR 125 Hillig v Darkinjung Pty Ltd [2008] NSWCA 75 Hillig v Darkinjung Pty Ltd (No.2) [2008] NSWCA 147 Hinch v Attorney General for the State of Victoria (1987) 164 CLR 15 CASES CITED : Hoser & anor v The Queen (2005) HCA Trans 357 Hoser and Kotabi Pty Ltd v The Queen (2003) VSCA 194 John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd v McRae (1955) 93 CLR 351 Jones v Dunkel (1958-59) 101 CLR 298 Manly Council v Byrne [2004] NSWCA 123 Mathews v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2000) 170 ALR 149 Nationwide News Pty Limited v Wills (1991-1992) 177 CLR 1 R v Collins (1954) VLR 46 R v Dunbabin; ex parte Williams (1935) 53 CLR 434 R v Gray [1900] 2 QB 36 R v Hoser and Kotabi Pty Ltd [2001] VSC 443 Re Macks: Ex parte Saint (2000) 204 CLR 158 re: Wiseman (1969) NZLR 55 Solicitor-General v Radio Avon Ltd [1978] 1 NZLR 225 University of New South Wales v McGuirk [2006] NSWSC 1362 Willers v The Queen (31 August 1995) Williams v Spautz (1992) 174 CLR 509 Witham v Holloway (1995) 183 CLR 525