Beckett v The State of New South Wales (No. 1) [2011] NSWSC 818

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Beckett v The State of New South Wales (No. 1) [2011] NSWSC 818 Hearing dates: 1 August 2011 Decision date: 05 August 2011 Before: Davies J Decision: I answer the separate questions asked as follows: A. Yes. B. No. Catchwords: TORTS - malicious prosecution and false imprisonment - malicious criminal proceedings - essentials of cause of action generally - termination of proceedings in Plaintiff's favour and innocence - when proof of Plaintiff's innocence necessary - Plaintiff convicted by jury - retrial ordered on appeal - Director of Public Prosecutions decides to proceed no further on the charges - whether the decision amounts to a nolle prosequi - effect of entry of a nolle prosequi - need for the Plaintiff to prove innocence on those counts. CRIMINAL LAW - procedure - indictments - status where appeal court quashes conviction and orders re-trial - nolle prosequi - when may be entered Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 Criminal Code 1924 (Tasmania) Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1986 Cases Cited: A v State of New South Wales [2007] HCA 10; (2007) 230 CLR 500 Abrath v North Eastern Railway Co. (1883) 11 QBD 440 Balbhaddar Singh v Badry Sah (PC No. 66 of 1924). Commonwealth Life Assurance Society Ltd v Brain (1935) 53 CLR 343 Commonwealth Life Assurance Society Ltd v Smith (1938) 59 CLR 527 Davis v Gell (1994) 35 CLR 275 Director of Public Prosecutions South Australia v B (1998) 194 CLR 566 Mann v Jacombe (1961) 78 WN (NSW) 635 Miazga v Kvello Estate [2009] SCC 51; [2009] 3 SCR 339 Noye v Robbins and Crimmins [2007] WASC 98 Noye v Robbins and Crimmins [2010] WASCA 83 R v Catt (1993) 68 A Crim R 189 R v GKA (1998) 99 A Crim R 491 R v Howard (1992) 29 NSWLR 242 R v Janceski [2005] 64 NSWLR 10 R v Murrell (2001) 123 A Crim R 54 R v Nicholas (1989) 45 A Crim R 299 R v Taylor [2003] NSWCCA 194 R v Wylie, Howe and McGuire (1919) 83 JP 295 Regina v Catt [2005] NSWCCA 279 Skrijel v Mengler [2003] VSC 270 The Queen v Economou (1989) 51 SASR 421; Question of Law Reserved on Acquittal (1996) 66 SASR 450 Texts Cited: Blackstone's Commentaries, 1st ed, (1769), Vol IV Fleming, The Law of Torts, 9th Edition, (1998) Law Book Company, North Ryde G.P. Donovan: "The Effect Of A Nolle Prosequi In Relation To The Action From Malicious Prosecution" (1938-39) 12 ALJ 457 Category: Separate question Parties: Roseanne Beckett (Plaintiff) The State of New South Wales (Defendant) Representation: P Blackett SC & K T Nomchong (Plaintiff) W G Roser SC, P Saidi & A N Williams (Defendant) Turner Freeman (Plaintiff) Crown Solicitor's Office (Defendant) File Number(s): 2008/289411