R v Qaumi & Ors (No 55) [2016] NSWSC 1068

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Qaumi & Ors (No 55) [2016] NSWSC 1068 Hearing dates: 1, 2 and 3 August 2016 Date of orders: 02 February 0003 Decision date: 08 August 2016 Jurisdiction: Common Law - Criminal Before: Hamill J Decision: 1. Allow limited legal arguments to proceed in the absence of the accused. 2. Adjourn the trial until Monday 8 August 2016. 3. Direct the Sheriff and Corrective Services to construct a wall within the dock to separate three of the accused from the other two accused. 4. Direct Corrective Services Officers to put in place Perspex screen separating the dock from the courtroom when the jury is not present. 5. Direct Corrective Services Officers to remove the Perspex screen when the jury is present. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – violence in courtroom – violence between accused in the dock – whether legal argument should be heard in absence of the accused – application by accused to be separated from co-accused – need to ensure physical safety of the accused – need to ensure psychological wellbeing of those in the courtroom – possible alternatives – audio visual E-dock – construction of barrier in existing dock – application by Crown to place Perspex screen in front of dock to separate accused from the courtroom – prejudicial impact – no indication that accused will attempt to leave the dock – escalation of misbehaviour of accused – balancing interests of accused with psychological safety of those in court Cases Cited: Jamal v R [2012] NSWCCA198 Regina (C'Wealth) v Baladjam & Ors (No 41) [2008] NSWSC 1462 R v Benbrika & Ors (Ruling No 12) 2007 VSC 524 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 8) (Variation of Non-publication Orders) [2016] NSWSC 184 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 23) [2016] NSWSC 429 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 24) [2016] NSWSC 505 R v AC (No 7) [2016] NSWSC 404 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 39) [2016] NSWSC 797 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 42) [2016] NSWSC 887 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 43) [2016] NSWSC 889 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 44) [2016] NSWSC 936 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 45) [2016] NSWSC 937 R v Qaumi & Ors (No 54) [2016] NSWSC 1067 Williams v R [2012] NSWCCA 286 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Regina Farhad Qaumi Mumtaz Qaumi Jamil Qaumi Mohammed Zarshoy Mohammed Kalal Representation: Counsel: K McKay & P Hogan (Crown) J Stratton SC & M Curry (F Qaumi) P Young SC (M Quami) N Carroll(J Quami) R Driels (Zarshoy) G Clarke (Kalal)