Baff v New South Wales Commissioner of Police [2013] NSWSC 1205

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Baff v New South Wales Commissioner of Police [2013] NSWSC 1205 Hearing dates: 28 August 2013 Decision date: 30 August 2013 Before: Adamson J Decision: (1) Declare that the plaintiff was entitled, in the exercise of his privilege against self-incrimination, to refuse to answer questions asked of him by the defendant concerning the circumstances described in: (a) the direction given in the 26 July 2011 Interview; (b) the 11 September 2012 Notice; (c) the 30 January 2013 Notice; and (d) the 11 February 2013 Notice. (2) Declare that any order directing the plaintiff to answer questions concerning the incident on 30/31 May 2011 is not a lawful order in circumstances where the plaintiff has claimed the privilege against self-incrimination. (3) Unless a different order is sought within seven days of the date hereof, order the defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings. Catchwords: EVIDENCE- privilege against self incrimination- distinct from privilege against exposure to civil penalties- not abrogated by Police Act 1990 or Police Regulations 2008 STATUTORY INTERPRETATION- exclusion of basic rights requires irresistible clearness Legislation Cited: - Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 (Cth) - Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 35 - International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966, art 14(3)(g) - Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), s 34(3) - Police Act 1990 (NSW), s 121, s 122, s 122(1)(a), s 122(1)(c), s 122(1)(d)(i), s 126, s 127, s 127(2)(b), s 130, s 139, s 145, s 148, s 170, s 173, s 173(4), s 173(9), s 178, s 180 s 181D, s 201, s 207, s 219 - Police (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Act 1985 (SA) - Police Regulation Act 1899-1955 (NSW), s 14 - Police Regulation Act 1958 (Vic), s 88(1) - Police Regulations 2008 (NSW), cl 8 - Police Regulations 1982 (SA), r 27 - Police Regulations 1957 (Vic), r 95A(7) Cases Cited: - Al-Kateb v Godwin [2004] HCA 37; 219 CLR 562 - Anderson v Sullivan (1997) 78 FCR 380 - Australian Securities and Investment Commission v Mining Projects Group Limited [2007] FCA 1620; 164 FCR 32 - Azzopardi v The Queen [2001] HCA 25; 205 CLR 50 - Chambers v Woolley (1996) 6 Tas R 41 - Commissioner of Police v Justin (1991) 55 SASR 547 - Council of the New South Wales Bar Association v Power [2008] NSWCA 135; 71 NSWLR 451 - Electrolux Home Products Pty Limited v Australian Workers' Union [2004] HCA 40; 221 CLR 309 - Griffin v Pantzer [2004] FCAFC 113; 137 FCR 209 - Healthcare Complaints Commission v Wingate [2007] NSWCA 326; 70 NSWLR 323 - Mortimer v Brown [1970] HCA 4; 122 CLR 493 - New South Wales v Fahy [2007] HCA 20; 232 CLR 486 - Petty v The Queen [1991] HCA 34; 173 CLR 95 - Police Service Board v Morris [1985] HCA 9; 156 CLR 397 - Potter v Minahan [1908] HCA 63; 7 CLR 277 - R v Director of Serious Fraud Office; Ex parte Smith [1993] AC 1 - R v Scott (1856) Dears & B 47 [169 ER 909] - R v Secretary of State for the Home Department; Ex parte Simm [2000] 2 AC 115 - R v Travers (1958) SR (NSW) 85 - Re Davis [1947] HCA 53; 75 CLR 409 - Re Veron; ex parte Law Society of New South Wales [1966] 1 NSWLR 511 - Reid v Howard [1995] HCA 40; 184 CLR 1 - Rich v Australian Securities Investment Commission [2004] HCA 42; 220 CLR 129 - The Daniels Corporation International Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2002] HCA 49; 213 CLR 543 - The Queen v White; ex parte Byrnes [1963] HCA 58; 109 CLR 665 - Woon v The Queen [1964] HCA 23; 109 CLR 529 - X7 v Australian Crime Commission [2013] HCA 29; 298 ALR 570 Texts Cited: Cross on Evidence (9th Australian edition) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Errol Wayne Baff (Plaintiff) New South Wales Commissioner of Police (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: WG Roser SC and SA Goodman (Plaintiff) P Bodor QC and M Seck (Defendant) Solicitors: Walter Madden Jenkins (Plaintiff) Office of General Counsel, New South Wales Police Force (Defendant) File Number(s): 2013/80418 Publication restriction: Nil