Perish, Anthony v R; Lawton v R [2015] NSWCCA 129

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Perish, Anthony v R; Lawton v R [2015] NSWCCA 129 Hearing dates: 29 May 2015 Decision date: 29 May 2015 Before: R A Hulme J Decision: The Orders to Produce issued to the NSW Police Service on 1 July 2014 and 4 February 2015 are set aside. Catchwords: EVIDENCE – orders to produce – legitimate forensic purpose – claims of legitimate forensic purpose based on assumptions and speculation – no legitimate forensic purpose established

EVIDENCE – orders to produce – claim of public interest immunity – balancing exercise – Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s 130(5) Legislation Cited: Criminal Procedure Act 1987 (NSW) s137 Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1986 (NSW) s15A Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) s130(5) Cases Cited: Alister v The Queen [1984] HCA 85; 154 CLR 404 Attorney-General for New South Wales v Dylan Chidgey [2008] NSWCCA 65; 182 A Crim R 536 Attorney General for New South Wales v Stuart (1994) 34 NSWLR 667 Carroll v Attorney-General for New South Wales (1993) 70 A Crim R 162 Commissioner for Railways v Small (1938) 38 SR (NSW) 564 Perish v R; Perish v R; Lawton v R [2014] NSWCCA 233 R v Saleam (1989) 16 NSWLR 14 Regina v Saleam [1999] NSWCCA 86 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Commissioner for Police (Applicant) Anthony John Michael Perish (Respondent) Matthew Robert Lawton (Respondent) Regina Representation: Counsel: Mr H Dhanji SC with Ms G Lewer (Perish) Mr P D Lange with Mr Douglas-Baker (Lawton) Ms M English (Commissioner of Police) Ms S Dowling SC with Mr Veltro (Crown) Solicitors: Legal Aid NSW (Perish) Matouk Joyner Lawyers (Lawton) File Number(s): 2009/148002; 2009/145260