R v Joffe; R v Stromer [2011] NSWSC 894

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Joffe; R v Stromer [2011] NSWSC 894 Hearing dates: 20, 21, 22 June, 19, 20 July 2011 Decision date: 17 August 2011 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Hall J Decision: In relation to the notice of motion filed on behalf of Mr Joffe on 11 March 2011 and the notice of motion filed on behalf of Mr Stromer on 11 March 2011, I make the following orders:-

(1) The evidence particularised in the table to the Notice of Coincidence Evidence dated 8 July 2011, being Table A entitled "Table of related events the subject of counts in the Indictment" is admissible pursuant to s.98(1)(b) of the Evidence Act 1995.

(2) The evidence particularised in the table to the Notice of Coincidence Evidence dated 8 July 2011 being Table B entitled "Table of related events not the subject of counts in the Indictment" is not admissible under s.98(1)(b) of the Evidence Act.

(3) Leave is granted to any party to apply with respect to any consequential or ancillary orders. Catchwords: EVIDENCE – insider trading offences charged under s.1043A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) – 10 counts charged against two accused – applications for orders determining admissibility of evidence in the Crown case particularised in a Notice of Coincidence Evidence being evidence in relation to each of the counts charged against each accused and evidence in relation to three uncharged maters – orders sought for separate trial of some charges – ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE – s.98(1)(b) and s.100(2) of the Evidence Act – approach to be taken when assessing "significant probative value" of coincidence evidence – meaning of "probative value" – distinction between probative value under s.98(1)(b) and actual probative evidence at trial – whether in evaluating evidence under s.98(1)(b) alternative rational inferences or explanations to those contended for by the Crown must be evaluated and assessed so as to determine whether the inferences relied upon by the Crown have greater strength than the alternative inferences – approach to be taken in a circumstantial evidence case – proof of facts in issue by inferential reasoning. Legislation Cited: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Crimes Act 1900 Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 Evidence Act 1995 Jury Act 1977 Cases Cited: Adam v R [2001] HCA 57; (2001) 207 CLR 96 Attorney General's Reference (No 1 of 1983) [1983] 2 VR 410 Deutsch v The Queen [1986] 2 SCR 2 Edwards v The Queen [1993] HCA 63; (1993) 178 CLR 193 HML v The Queen [2008] HCA 16; (2008) 235 CLR 334 Hoch v The Queen [1988] HCA 50; (1988) 165 CLR 292 Papakosmas v The Queen [1999] HCA 37; (1999) 196 CLR 297 Perry v The Queen [1982] HCA 75; (1982) 150 CLR 580 Pfennig v The Queen [1995] HCA 7; (1995) 182 CLR 461 Phillips v The Queen [2006] HCA 4; (2006) 225 CLR 303 R v AB [2001] NSWCCA 496 R v Boardman [1975] AC 456 R v Broadfoot (1976) 64 Cr App R 71 R v Carusi (1997) 92 A Crim R 52 R v Ceissman [2010] NSWCCA 50 R v Cengiz [1998] 3 VR 720 R v Cook [2004] NSWCCA 52 R v Doney [1990] HCA 51; (1990) 171 CLR 207 R v Ellis [2003] NSWCCA 319; (2003) 58 NSWLR 700 R v F; Ex parte Attorney-General [2004] 1 QD R 162 R v Folbigg [2005] NSWCCA 23; (2005) 152 A Crim R 35 R v GAC [2007] NSWCCA 315; (2007) 178 A Crim R 408 R v Lockyer (1996) 89 A Crim R 457 R v Scholl (No 2) [2009] VSC 237; (2009) 53 MVR 8 R v Shamouil [2006] NSWCCA 112; (2006) 66 NSWLR 228 R v Teys [2001] ACTSC 29; (2001) 119 A Crim R 398 R v Zhang [2005] NSWCCA 437; (2005) 158 A Crim R 504 Re Attorney General's Reference (No 1 of 1975) [1975] QB 773 Samadi & Anor v R [2008] NSWCCA 330; (2008) 192 A Crim R 251 Shepherd v The Queen [1990] HCA 56; (1990) 170 CLR 573 Sutton v R [1984] HCA 5; (1984) 152 CLR 528 TKWJ v The Queen [2002] HCA 46; (2002) 212 CLR 124 Washer v Western Australia [2007] HCA 48; (2007) 234 CLR 492 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Regina (Crown) Daniel Shayne Joffe (Accused) Nathan Stromer (Accused) Representation: Counsel: J V Agius SC/J Paingakulam (Crown) R G McHugh SC/G A Bashir (Joffe) S J Odgers SC/L Fernandez (Stromer)