State of New South Wales v Hunt [2014] NSWCA 47

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: State of New South Wales v Hunt [2014] NSWCA 47 Hearing dates: 25 February 2014 Decision date: 13 March 2014 Before: Barrett JA at [1]; Leeming JA at [2]; Tobias AJA at [75] Decision: 1. Set aside the verdict and orders made by the District Court on 30 November 2012 and remit the matter to that Court for retrial. 2. The respondent to pay the costs of the appeal, but be given, if otherwise qualified, a certificate under the Suitor's Fund Act 1951 (NSW). 3. The costs of the first trial should be in the discretion of the judge on the retrial. [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: APPEAL AND NEW TRIAL - findings of fabrication of evidence by police officer - fabrication of key findings not put in cross-examination - submission of fabrication not made - agreement not to take Browne v Dunn points did not prevent substantial miscarriage of justice - retrial ordered

APPEAL AND NEW TRIAL - failure to address substantial component of defence case - failure to grapple with competing testimonial evidence in light of independent evidence - failure to address separate heads of damages

POLICE - rights, powers and duties - actions for malicious arrest, assault and battery and misfeasance in public office - whether lawful arrest - nature of tort of "malicious arrest" considered Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 60(1), s 66(1) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 140(2)(c) Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW), s 99 Law Reform (Vicarious Liability) Act 1983 (NSW), Part 4 Suitor's Fund Act 1951 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 51.53(1) Cases Cited: Ashby v Slipper [2014] FCAFC 15 Bale v Mills [2011] NSWCA 266; 81 NSWLR 498 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Browne v Dunn (1829) 3 Sim 23; 57 ER 909 Camden v McKenzie [2007] QCA 136; [2008] 1 Qd R 39 Coles Myer Ltd v Webster; Coles Myer Ltd v Thompson [2009] NSWCA 299 Coote v Kelly [2013] NSWCA 357 Diamond v Minter [1941] 1 KB 656 Halliday v Nevill (1984) 155 CLR 1 Kuhl v Zurich Financial Services Australia Ltd [2011] HCA 11; 243 CLR 361 Mitchell v Cullingral Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 389 Neat Holdings Pty Ltd v Karajan Holdings Pty Ltd (1992) 67 ALJR 170 Presidential Security Services v Brilley [2008] NSWCA 204; 73 NSWLR 241 Roy v Prior [1971] AC 470 Smith v NSW Bar Association (1992) 176 CLR 256 State of New South Wales v Koumdjiev [2005] NSWCA 247; 63 NSWLR 353 State of New South Wales v Williamson [2011] NSWCA 183 State of New South Wales v Zreika [2012] NSWCA 37 Varawa v Howard Smith & Co Ltd (1910) 10 CLR 382 Village Cay Marina Ltd v Acland [1998] 2 BCLC 327 Watson v Foxman (1995) 49 NSWLR 315 Texts Cited: R Clayton and H Tomlinson (eds), Civil Actions Against the Police (Thomson 3rd ed 2004) Category: Principal judgment Parties: State of New South Wales (Appellant) Robert Bruce Hunt (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: J Maconachie QC / E Chrysostomou (Appellant) R de Meyrick (Respondent) Solicitors: Crown Solicitor's Office (Appellant) Beston Macken McManis Solicitors (Respondent) File Number(s): 2012/367950 Decision under appeal Date of Decision: 2012-11-23 00:00:00 Before: Sidis ADCJ File Number(s): 2010/211566