New South Wales Land and Housing Corporation v Quinn [2016] NSWCA 338

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: New South Wales Land and Housing Corporation v Quinn [2016] NSWCA 338 Hearing dates: 8 September 2016 Decision date: 06 December 2016 Before: Beazley P at [1]; Ward JA at [2]; Davies J at [96] Decision: (1) Appeal allowed. (2) Set aside the order made by Taylor SC DCJ on 18 March 2016 and remit the matter to the District Court for determination by Taylor SC DCJ or such other judge of the District Court to whom the matter may be assigned in that Court. (3) Each party to pay its or his own costs. Catchwords: APPEAL – jurisdiction of District Court – where decision of statutory body to cancel rental subsidies – whether District Court has jurisdiction to hear resulting statutory debt claim and claims for unpaid rent and unpaid occupation fees – whether such claims are "in respect of" a decision of a public body for purposes of Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 53(3B)(b)(iv) – whether claims therefore would have been assigned to Common Law Division under District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 44 and therefore within jurisdiction of District Court

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – words and phrases – Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), s 53(3B)(b)(iv) – appeal or application "in respect of" decisions of a public body or public officer Legislation Cited: Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), ss 15(2)(a)(i), 16(2)(a)(i) District Court Act 1973 (NSW), ss 44(1)(a), 53(4), 127, 134, 137, Pt 3, Div 2, Subdiv 1 Housing Act 2001 (NSW), ss 6, 57, 58, Sch 3, cll 3, 5(1) Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth) Law Reform (Law and Equity) Act 1972 (NSW), s 6 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW), s 87 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), ss 19(2), 38, 52, 53, 54, 55 Supreme Court Rules 1970 (NSW), Pt 12, r 6, Sch H, Pt 2, cl 1 Cases Cited: Abbott v Klein [2015] NSWDC 45 Baxter v Obacelo Pty Ltd (2001) 205 CLR 635; [2001] HCA 66 Brinsmead v Harrison (1872) LR 7 CP 547 Clutha Developments Pty Ltd v Barry (1989) 18 NSWLR 86 Cook v Head and Arneman [1976] NSWLR 176 Director of Housing v Sudi (2011) 33 VR 559; [2011] VSCA 266 Forsyth v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (2007) 231 CLR 531; [2007] HCA 8 Jago v District Court of NSW (1989) 168 CLR 23; [1989] HCA 46 Muldoon v Church of England Children's Homes Burwood (2011) 80 NSWLR 282; [2011] NSWCA 46 New South Wales Land and Housing Corporation v Diab [2015] NSWCA 133 New South Wales Land and Housing Corporation v Quinn [2016] NSWDC 27 Ousley v The Queen (1997) 192 CLR 69; [1997] HCA 49 Pelechowski v The Registrar, Court of Appeal (NSW) (1999) 198 CLR 435; [1999] HCA 19 Qantas Airways Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2015] NSWSC 826 Sullivan v St George Community Housing Ltd [2010] NSWCA 248 Wonall Pty Ltd v Clarence Property Corporation Ltd (2003) 58 NSWLR 23; [2003] NSWSC 497 Workers Compensation Board of Queensland v Technical Products Pty Ltd (1988) 165 CLR 642; [1988] HCA 49 Texts Cited: Gageler J, "What is information technology doing to the common law?" (2014) 39 Aust Bar Rev 146 Lord Rodger, "The form and language of judicial opinions" (2002) 118 LQR 226 Robert A James, "Are Footnotes in Opinions Given Full Precedential Effect?" 2 Green Bag 2d 167 Category: Principal judgment Parties: New South Wales Land and Housing Corporation (Appellant) Robert Quinn (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: A Di Francesco (Appellant) R Dalgleish (Respondent)