Lai v R; Nguyen v R [2017] NSWCCA 263

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Lai v R; Nguyen v R [2017] NSWCCA 263 Hearing dates: 29 September 2017 Decision date: 15 November 2017 Before: Hoeben CJ at CL at [1] Latham J at [2] N Adams J at [3] Decision: (1) Allow the appeals against conviction. (2) Quash the appellants' convictions for aggravated robbery. (3) That there be a new trial of each appellant for the offence of aggravated robbery. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal against conviction – hearsay evidence of co-accused admitted pursuant to exception to hearsay rule in s 65(2)(d) – where decision of trial judge made before the decision of the High Court in Sio v The Queen – miscarriage of justice conceded by Crown – whether to apply proviso – whether to order new trial or enter verdicts of acquittal Legislation Cited: Bail Act 2013 (NSW), s 22 Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), ss 95(1), 98 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW), s 6(1) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 59, 65, 137, 165 Cases Cited: Filippou v The Queen (2015) 256 CLR 47; [2015] HCA 29 IMM v The Queen (2016) 257 CLR 300; [2016] HCA 14 Sio v R [2015] NSWCCA 42 Sio v The Queen (2016) 259 CLR 47; [2016] HCA 32 Spies v The Queen (2000) 201 CLR 603; [2000] HCA 43 Youkhana v R [2013] NSWCCA 85 Category: Principal judgment Parties: James Lai (Appellant) Vu Truong Nguyen (Appellant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr J Trevallion and Ms M Curry (Appellant Lai) Mr I Todd (Appellant Nguyen) Ms B Baker (Respondent)