Charmyne Palavi v Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd & Anor [2011] NSWSC 274

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Charmyne Palavi v Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd & Anor [2011] NSWSC 274 Hearing dates: 08.03.11, 04.04.11 Decision date: 12 April 2011 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Nicholas J Decision: Par 38 Catchwords: COURTS - PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - abuse of process - proceedings for damages for defamation - destruction of material by plaintiff when legal proceedings in contemplation - destroyed material potentially relevant to truth or falsity of defamatory imputations- whether conduct amounted to an attempt to pervert the course of justice - whether proceedings should be dismissed - counsel bound by admission made to court - principles considered Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 Cases Cited: Batistatos v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales [2006] HCA 27; (2006) 226 CLR 256 British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd v Cowell [2002] VSCA 197; 7 VR 524 Clark v State of New South Wales [2006] NSWSC 673; (2006) NSWLR 640 DPP v Aydogan & Anor [2006] NSWSC 558 R v Rogerson (1992) 174 CLR 268 R v Machin (1980) 1 WLR 763 R v Vreones (1891) 1 QB 360 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: Charmyne Palavi - plaintiff Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd - first defendant News Digital Media Pty Ltd - second defendant Representation: Solicitors: D C Balog & Associates - plaintiff Thynne & Macartney - defendants File Number(s): 10/375273