Viavattene v Attorney General (NSW) [2015] NSWCA 44

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Viavattene v Attorney General (NSW) [2015] NSWCA 44 Hearing dates: 6 February 2015 Decision date: 13 March 2015 Before: Beazley P at [1]; Basten JA at [6]; Leeming JA at [27] Decision: (1)Appeal allowed.

(2)Set aside the orders made on 26 March 2014, and in lieu thereof, order that pursuant to s 8(7)(c) of the Vexatious Proceedings Act 2008 (NSW) Mr Viavattene is prohibited from instituting proceedings in New South Wales which are inconsistent with the finding that, following its realignment in about 11 November 2010, the access track to adjoining land no longer encroaches upon the property known as 1520 Numinbah Road, Chillingham. Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – orders under Vexatious Proceedings Act 2008 (NSW) – primary judge made "blanket" order against applicant – errors in assessment whether vexatious proceedings had been frequently instituted conceded by Attorney – narrower order made – consideration of definition of "vexatious proceedings" Legislation Cited: Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth), s 5 Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), Pt 6 Div 1 Felons (Civil Proceedings) Act 1981 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), ss 75A, 101 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 10.16 Vexatious Proceedings Act 2008 (NSW), ss 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15 and 16 Cases Cited: Attorney-General v Michael [2005] WASC 203 Attorney-General v Tareq Altaranesi [2013] NSWSC 63 Australian Communications and Media Authority v Today FM (Sydney) Pty Ltd [2015] HCA 7 Dowling v Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd [1915] HCA 56; 20 CLR 509 Hayes v Willoughby [2013] UKSC 17; [2013] 2 All ER 405 Lee v New South Wales Crime Commission [2013] HCA 39; 251 CLR 196 Martin v Attorney General for the State of New South Wales [2014] NSWCA 189 Pascoe v Liprini [2011] NSWSC 1484 Potier v Attorney General in and for the State of New South Wales [2014] NSWCA 256 Potier v State of New South Wales [2014] NSWCA 359 Viavattene HealthCare Australia [2013] FWCFB 2532 Viavattene v Attorney General of New South Wales [2014] NSWCA 218 Viavattene v HealthCare Australia [2013] FWC 756 Viavattene v Tweed Shire Council [2013] NSWCA 331 Viavattene v Tweed Shire Council [2013] NSWSC 838 Williams v Spautz [1992] HCA 34; 174 CLR 509 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Peter Viavattene (Appellant) Attorney General (NSW) (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Appellant in person J Emmett (Respondent)