Hamilton v State of New South Wales [2015] NSWSC 1430

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Hamilton v State of New South Wales [2015] NSWSC 1430 Hearing dates: 02 July 2015 Date of orders: 21 October 2015 Decision date: 21 October 2015 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Harrison AsJ Decision: The Court orders that:

(1) The claim by the Director of Public Prosecutions for client legal privilege is upheld.

(2) The Director of Public Prosecutions is excused from producing documents under the subpoena to produce issued at the request of the plaintiff.

(3) The Director of Public Prosecutions' notice of motion filed 3 March 2015 is otherwise dismissed.

(4) The plaintiff is to pay the Director of Public Prosecutions' costs of the notice of motion filed 3 March 2015.

(5) In relation to the notice of motion filed 30 March 2015, each party is to pay their own costs. Catchwords: CLIENT LEGAL PRIVILEGE – misfeasance in public office claim - privilege claimed by the Director of Public Prosecutions – dominant purpose test – whether obligation of confidentiality existed – whether privilege waived – documents knowingly and voluntarily disclosed to Crown Solicitor – whether joint clients – whether common interest existed – considerations of fairness Legislation Cited: Crown Proceedings Act 1988 (NSW) Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1986 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Mental Health (Criminal Procedure) Act 1990 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Aouad v R; El-Zayet v R [2013] NSWSC 760 Attorney-General (NT) v Kearney [1985] HCA 60; (1985) 158 CLR 500 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd (1998) 81 FCR 526; (1998) 153 ALR 393 Banksia Mortgages Limited v Croker [2010] NSWSC 535 Carnell v Mann (1998) 89 FCR 247; (1998) 159 ALR 647 Commissioner of Australian Federal Police v Propend Finance Pty Ltd [1997] HCA 3; (1997) 188 CLR 501 Kang v Kwan [2001] NSWSC 698 Mann v Carnell [1999] HCA 66; (1999) 201 CLR 1 Marshall v Prescott (No 4) [2012] NSWSC 992 Northern Territory of Australia v Mengel [1995] HCA 65; (1995) 185 CLR 307 Osland v Secretary to the Department of Justice (2008) 234 CLR 275; [2008] HCA 37 Pratt Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (2004) 136 FCR 357; (2004) 207 ALR 217 R (Cth) v Petroulias (No 22) (2007) 176 A Crim R 309; [2007] NSWSC 692 Re Southland Coal Pty Ltd (Recs & Mgrs Apptd) (in liq) (2006) 203 FLR 1; [2006] NSWSC 899 R v Bell; Ex parte Lees [1980] HCA 26; (1980) 146 CLR 141 R v Burrell (Supreme Court (NSW), Wood CJ at CL, 1 May 2003, unreported) Sparnon v Apand Pty Ltd (1996) 68 FCR 322; (1996) 138 ALR 735 State of New South Wales v Jackson [2007] NSWCA 279 Trade Practices Commission v Sterling (1979) ATPR 40-121; (1979) 36 FLR 244 Waterford v Commonwealth [1987] HCA 25; (1987) 163 CLR 54 Texts Cited: S Odgers, Uniform Evidence Law, 10th Ed Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Janice Hamilton (Plaintiff) State of New South Wales (Defendant) Director of Public Prosecutions (Subpoenaed Party) New South Wales Commissioner of Police (Subpoenaed Party) Representation: Counsel: A Bannon SC & A Maroya (Plaintiff) P Saidi (Defendant & Subpoenaed Parties)