Sunol v Collier [2012] NSWCA 14

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Sunol v Collier [2012] NSWCA 14 Hearing dates: 31 October 2011 Decision date: 20 February 2012 Before: Bathurst CJ at 1; Allsop P at 1; Basten JA at 1 Decision: (1) Direct that the applicant, within 14 days of the date of this judgment, file an amended summons seeking relief in such form as he thinks fit, in place of the questions referred by the Tribunal. (2) In the event that the applicant does not seek to take such a step, direct that the applicant notify the Court and the Attorney General within the same period, namely 14 days of the date of this judgment. [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 - tribunals - Administrative Decisions Tribunal - procedure - referral of question of law to Supreme Court - Administrative Decisions Tribunal Act 1997 (NSW), s 118 - whether appropriate for the Supreme Court to answer

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - federal judicial power - whether Administrative Decisions Tribunal has jurisdiction to determine constitutional questions - whether constitutional questions can arise before the Administrative Decisions Tribunal Legislation Cited: Administrative Decisions Tribunal Act 1997 (NSW), ss 108, 114, 118 Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), ss 91A, 49ZT Constitution, s 77(iii) Constitution Act 1902 (NSW), cl 5 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 12, 31 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), ss 79, 80 Cases Cited: Attorney General (NSW) v Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 349; 226 FLR 62; 236 ALR 385 Brandy v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission [1995] HCA 10; 183 CLR 245 British American Tobacco Australia Ltd v Western Australia [2003] HCA 47; 217 CLR 30 Collier v Sunol [2005] NSWADT 261 Collier v Sunol [2008] NSWADT 339 Felton v Mulligan [1971] HCA 39; 124 CLR 367 Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [1996] HCA 24; 189 CLR 51 LNC Industries Ltd v BMW (Australia) Ltd [1983] HCA 31; 151 CLR 575 at 581 South Australia v The Commonwealth [1942] HCA 14; 65 CLR 373 Trust Company of Australia Ltd v Skiwing Pty Ltd [2006] NSWCA 185; 66 NSWLR 77 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: John Christopher Sunol - Applicant Henry William Collier (Estate of the late Henry William Collier) - First Respondent Administrative Decisions Tribunal, Appeal Panel - Second Respondent Attorney General of New South Wales - Intervenor Representation: Counsel: