CUR24 v DPP [2012] NSWCA 65

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: CUR24 v DPP [2012] NSWCA 65 Hearing dates: 25 November 2011 Decision date: 05 April 2012 Before: Basten JA at [1] Whealy JA at [27] Meagher JA at [28] Decision: (1) Amended Summons dismissed. (2) No order as to 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: COURTS AND JUDGES - bias - apprehended bias - disqualification of a judge - solicitor for accused alleged judge made out of court statements indicating preconceived views - judge disputed statements in terms alleged - whether necessary to make findings as to disputed facts before applying reasonable apprehension of bias test - whether reasonable apprehension of bias Legislation Cited: District Court Act 1973 Evidence Act 1995 Supreme Court Act 1970 Cases Cited: Barker v The Queen (No. 2) (1996) 70 FCR 1 Barton v Walker [1979] 2 NSWLR 740 Bradford v McLeod [1986] SLT 244 British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd v Laurie & Ors [2011] HCA 2; (2011) 242 CLR 283 DPP v Burns & Anor [2010] NSWCA 265; (2010) 207 A Crim R 362 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy [2000] HCA 63; (2000) 205 CLR 337 Gates v Takiveikata & Anor (2008) FJSC 16 Herijanto v Refugee Review Tribunal & Ors [2000] HCA 21; (2000) 74 ALJR 703 Johnson v Johnson [2000] HCA 48; (2000) 201 CLR 488 Kaycliff Pty Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1989) 18 ALD 230 Kaycliff Pty Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1989) 90 ALR 310 Laws v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal [1990] HCA 31; (1990) 170 CLR 70 Lee v Cha [2008] NSWCA 13 Livesey v New South Wales Bar Association [1983] HCA 17; (1983) 151 CLR 288 Mann v Northern Territory News (1988) 88 FLR 194 Michael Wilson & Partners Ltd v Robert Nicholls [2011] HCA 48; (2011) 282 ALR 685 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Jia Legeng [2001] HCA 17; (2001) 205 CLR 507 R v Australian Stevedoring Industry Board; Ex parte Melbourne Stevedoring Co Pty Ltd [1953] HCA 22; (1953) 88 CLR 100 R v ABS [2005] NSWCCA 255 R v Balic (No. 2) (1994) 75 A Crim R 515 R v BJW [2000] NSWCCA 60; (2000) 112 A Crim R 1 R v Kearns [2003] NSWCCA 367 R v MJR [2002] NSWCCA 129; (2002) 54 NSWLR 368 R v Watson; Ex parte Armstrong [1976] HCA 39; (1976) 136 CLR 248 Reg v Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission; Ex parte Angliss Group [1969] HCA 10; (1969) 122 CLR 546 Re JRL; Ex parte CJL [1986] HCA 39; (1986) 161 CLR 342 Re Refugee Review Tribunal; Ex parte Aala [2000] HCA 57; (2000) 204 CLR 82 Spanos v Lazaris [2008] NSWCA 74 Vakauta v Kelly [1989] HCA 44; (1989) 167 CLR 568 Wentworth v Rogers [2000] NSWCA 368 Zanatta v McCleary [1976] 1 NSWLR 230 Category: Principal judgment Parties: CUR24 (Applicant) Director of Public Prosecutions (First Respondent) District Court of New South Wales (Second Respondent) Attorney General for New South Wales (Intervener) Representation: Counsel: J C Sheller (Applicant) Submitting appearance (First Respondent) Submitting appearance (Second Respondent) P Menzies QC, D T Kell (Intervener) Solicitors: Macedone Legal, Miranda (Applicant) S C Kavanagh, Solicitor for Public Prosecutions (First Respondent) I V Knight, Crown Solicitor (Second Respondent) I V Knight, Crown Solicitor (Intervener) File Number(s): CA 2008/55729-49 Decision under appeal Citation: Regina v CUR24 [2011] NSWDC 177 Date of Decision: 2011-09-16 00:00:00 Before: Finnane DCJ File Number(s): 2008/55729-49