Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police v Fernandez [2017] NSWSC 1197

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police v Fernandez [2017] NSWSC 1197 Hearing dates: 15 May 2017 Decision date: 07 September 2017 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Simpson J Decision: (1) The Commissioner's summons, so far as it claims a forfeiture order under s 49(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth), is dismissed;

(2) The Commissioner is to pay the defendant's costs of the proceedings. Catchwords: CRIME – proceeds of crime – Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) – application for forfeiture orders – exercise of discretion to refuse a forfeiture order – property identified as interest in bank account – chose in action – nature of chose in action – whether chose in action is proceeds of crime – whether chose in action is instrument of serious offence – whether property ceased to be proceeds or instrument of crime – acquisition of property – whether forfeiture order is in the "public interest"

CRIME – proceeds of crime – Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) – application for compensation order – property instrument of crime Legislation Cited: Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Finance Act 2006 (Cth), ss 5, 6, 43, 142, Criminal Code (Cth), s 400.9, Pt 10.2 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth), ss 5, 19, 29, 30, 49, 73, 77, 78, 180, 317, 329, 330, 336, 338 Cases Cited: Attorney-General (NSW) v Quin (1990) 170 CLR 1; [1990] HCA 21 Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police v Lordianto [2017] NSWSC 1196 Courtenay Investments Ltd v Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) [2012] WASCA 121 Giorgianni v The Queen (1985) 156 CLR 473; [1985] HCA 29 Hogan v Hinch (2011) 243 CLR 506; [2011] HCA 4 O'Sullivan v Farrer (1989) 168 CLR 210; [1989] HCA 61 Osland v Secretary, Dept of Justice (2008) 234 CLR 275; [2008] HCA 37 Pereira v The Queen (1988) 35 A Crim R 382 R v Crabbe (1985) 156 CLR 464; [1985] HCA 22 Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission (NSW) v Browning (1947) 74 CLR 492; [1947] HCA 21 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (Plaintiff) Rommy Fernandez (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: V O'Halloran (Plaintiff) M McCarthy (Defendant)