Fantakis v Local Court of New South Wales & Ors [2016] NSWSC 1251

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Fantakis v Local Court of New South Wales & Ors [2016] NSWSC 1251 Hearing dates: 31 August 2016 Decision date: 08 September 2016 Jurisdiction: Common Law - Administrative Law Before: N Adams J Decision: (1) Dismiss the summonses filed by the plaintiff on 15 January 2016 and 4 February 2016. (2) The second and third defendants have leave to seek an order for costs within 14 days of this judgment. Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review of decisions of magistrate in committal proceedings – where relief sought would amount to a re-opening of committal proceedings – where Director of Public Prosecutions has found a bill of indictment – whether relief sought would lack any utility – relief refused on discretionary grounds

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – motion seeking summary dismissal of summonses seeking judicial review – whether vexatious, frivolous and an abuse of process – motion dismissed Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 56(1) Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001, s 53(3) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), ss 74(1), 78(1), 91, 93 Criminal Procedure Amendment (Justices and Local Courts) Act 2001 (NSW) Justices Act 1902 (NSW), s 48AA(1) Justices (Paper Committals) Amendment Act 1987 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 69 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) rr 59.10, 13.5, 36.15, 59.8 Cases Cited: Anderson v DPP [2009] NSW SC 1184 Barton v The Queen (1980) 147 CLR 75 Basha v R (1989) 39 A Crim R 337 Crowe v DPP (NSW) [2015] NSWSC 747 Grassby v R (1989) 168 CLR 1; [1989] HCA 45 Magaming v The Queen [2013] HCA 40; 302 ALR 461 McKirdy v McKosker (2002) 127 A Crim R 217 Nanevski v Haskett [2006] NSWSC 1114 R v Butler (1991) 24 NSWLR 66 R v Colby (1995) 84 A Crim R 125 Sergi v DPP (NSWCA, unreported, 10 September 1991) Seven Networks Ltd v News Ltd (No 4) (2006) 214 ALR 686 V v McDonald (NSWCA, unreported, 16 February 1995) Wentworth v Rogers (1984) 2 NSWLR 422 Woods v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW); Fantakis v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (No 2) [2016] NSWSC 448 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Terry Fantakis (Plaintiff) Local Court of NSW (First Defendant) Director of Public Prosecutions (Second Defendant) Commissioner of Police (Third Defendant) Representation: Counsel: In person (Plaintiff) Mr M Smith (Second Defendant) Mr R Grady (Third Defendant)