Chen v R [2018] NSWCCA 106

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Chen v R [2018] NSWCCA 106 Hearing dates: 1 November 2017 Date of orders: 01 June 2018 Decision date: 01 June 2018 Before: Hoeben CJ at CL; Schmidt J; Campbell J Decision: Appeal dismissed. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – appeal against conviction – expert evidence – whether evidence admissible as expert opinion under s 79 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) – whether expert possesses necessary specialised knowledge – whether opinion evidence of expert should be excluded under ss 135 or 137 of Evidence Act where credibility, reliability and accuracy of evidence challenged

CRIMINAL LAW – appeal against conviction – expert evidence – expert witness code of conduct – whether evidence is inadmissible where provisions of Part 75 r 3J of Supreme Court Rules 1970 (NSW) relating to expert witness code of conduct not complied with – whether evidence of expert who is not aware of expert witness code of conduct should be excluded under ss 135 or 137 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW)

CRIMINAL LAW – appeal against conviction – jury directions– expert evidence – where translations of intercepted telephone calls challenged – whether judge failed to give jury necessary directions following Crown address alleged to have suggested a reversed onus of proof

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – proper construction of s 79 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) – proper construction of s 124 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) – proper construction of s 171D District Court Act 1973 (NSW) – proper construction of Part 75 r 3J Supreme Court Rules 1970 (NSW) Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) District Court Act 1973 (NSW) Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) Supreme Court's Rules 1970 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Commonwealth Development Bank of Australia Pty Limited v Claude George Rene Cassegrain; Gerald Cassegrain & Co Pty Limited v Commonwealth Development Bank of Australia Pty Limited [2002] NSWSC 980 De L v Director-General Department of Community Services (NSW) (1997) 190 CLR 207 at 212; [1997] HCA 14 Fillipou v The Queen (2015) 256 CLR 47; [2015] HCA 29 Honeysett v The Queen (2014) 253 CLR 122; [2014] HCA 29 IMM v The Queen (2016) 257 CLR 300; [2016] HCA 14 Lindsay v The Queen (2015) 255 CLR 272; [2015] HCA 16 Ocean Mutual Insurance Association (Europe) OV v Jetopay Pty Ltd (2000) 120 FCR 146 ; [2000] FCA 1463 Papakosmas v The Queen (1999) 196 CLR 297; [1999] HCA 37 R v Chen (District Court (NSW); Buscombe ADCJ; 25 September 2015; unrep) R v McIntyre [2001] NSWCCA 311 R v Shamouil (2006) 66 NSWLR 228; [2006] NSWCCA 112 R v Tang (2006) 65 NSWLR 681; [2006] NSWCCA 167 R v XY (2013) 84 NSWLR 363; [2013] NSWCCA 121 Tuite v R (2015) 49 VR 196; [2015] VSCA 148 Wood v The Queen (2012) 84 NSWLR 581; [2012] NSWCCA 21 Woollahra Municipal Council v Secure Parking Pty Ltd (No 2) [2015] NSWSC 452 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Weidong Chen (Appellant) Regina (Crown) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Thangaraj SC with Mr S Levi (Appellant) Mr H Baker SC with Mr D Beaufils (Respondent)