Chand v RailCorp [2011] NSWCA 79

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Chand v RailCorp [2011] NSWCA 79 Hearing dates: 22 February 2011 Decision date: 08 April 2011 Before: Hodgson JA at 1; Campbell JA at 90; Sackville AJA at 91 Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs. [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - Complaints of sexual harassment and victimisation - Complaints dismissed by Administrative Decisions Tribunal - Appeal to appeal panel - Appeal extended to merits - Respondent permitted to file notice of contention out of time - Appeal dismissed - Whether Appeal Panel erred by reconsidering a decision - Res judicata and issue estoppel - Whether Appeal Panel otherwise erred or denied procedural fairness. Legislation Cited: Administrative Decisions Tribunal Act 1997 ss.73, 81, 83, 113 - 115, 119, 120 Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 ss.22, 50, 103 Cases Cited: Ainslie v Ainslie (1927) 39 CLR 381 Blair v Curran (1939) 62 CLR 464 Chand v Rail Corporation of NSW (No 3) [2010] NSWADTAP 11 Chand v Rail Corporation of NSW (No 2) [2009] NSWADTAP 27 Chand v Rail Corporation of NSW (EOD) [2007] NSWADTAP 54 Chand v State Rail Authority [2007] NSWADTAP 90 Commonwealth v Sciacca (1988) 17 FCR 476 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Bhardwaj [2002] HCA 11; (2002) 209 CLR 597 Wiest v DPP (1988) 23 FCR 472 Zhang v Blinds Pty Ltd [2008] NSWADTAP 24 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Bimla CHAND (appellant) RAILCORP OF NEW SOUTH WALES (first respondent) Jan PLICHTA (second respondent) John HINIEN (third respondent) Peter DEMPSEY (fourth respondent) Representation: Counsel: In Person (appellant) K NOMCHONG (first respondent) Solicitors: In Person (appellant) Clayton Utz (first respondent) File Number(s): CA 2009/298394 Decision under appeal Citation: Chand v Rail Corporation of New South Wales (EOD) [2007] NSWADTAP 54; Chand v Rail Corporation of New South Wales (No 2) [2009] NSWADTAP 27 Before: Magistrate N Hennessy Deputy President, M Smyth Judicial Member and L Mooney Non-judicial Member File Number(s): 079026