AB v Judicial Commission of New South Wales (Conduct Division) [2018] NSWCA 264

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: AB v Judicial Commission of New South Wales (Conduct Division) [2018] NSWCA 264 Hearing dates: 7 November 2018 Decision date: 09 November 2018 Before: Basten JA; Meagher JA; Gleeson JA Decision: (1) Dismiss the summons seeking judicial review of the decision of the Conduct Division to hold a hearing in public.

(2) Order that the applicant pay the Attorney's costs of the proceedings in this Court. Catchwords: JUDICIAL REVIEW – review of decision of Judicial Commission Conduct Division to conduct a hearing in public – meaning of "hearing" – relevance of open justice principle – whether criteria in Guidelines promulgated by Judicial Commission create legal obligations – Judicial Officers Act 1986 (NSW), ss 10, 24

JUDICIAL OFFICERS – complaints concerning ability or behaviour of judicial officer – complaints referred to Judicial Commission Conduct Division – decision to conduct hearing – whether hearing should be held in private or in public – relevant criteria

WORDS AND PHRASES – "hearing" – "public interest" – "should consider" Legislation Cited: Constitution Act 1902 (NSW), s 53 Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth), s 35 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 5, 43 Judicial Officers Act 1986 (NSW), ss 5, 10, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 36, 101 Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW), ss 22, 23, 69 Cases Cited: Ainsworth v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 175 CLR 564; [1992] HCA 10 Ali v AAI Ltd [2016] NSWCA 110; 75 MVR 502 Bruce v Cole (1998) 45 NSWLR 163 Hossain v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2018] HCA 34; 92 ALJR 780 Hot Holdings Pty Ltd v Creasy (1996) 185 CLR 149; [1996] HCA 44 Independent Commission Against Corruption v Chaffey (1993) 30 NSWLR 21 Kirk v Industrial Court of New South Wales (2010) 239 CLR 531; [2010] HCA 1 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24; [1986] HCA 40 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Bhardwaj (2002) 209 CLR 597; [2002] HCA 11 National Companies and Securities Commission v Bankers Trust Australia Ltd (1989) 24 FCR 217 Probuild Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Shade Systems Pty Ltd [2018] HCA 4; 92 ALJR 248 Sinkovich v Attorney General of New South Wales (2013) 85 NSWLR 783; [2013] NSWCA 383 Tucker v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2011] FCAFC 16 Category: Principal judgment Parties: AB (Applicant) Conduct Division of the Judicial Commission of New South Wales (First Respondent) Attorney General for New South Wales (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: A Moses SC / J Sheller / S Chordia (Applicant) Submitting appearances (First Respondents) A Mitchelmore SC / L Coleman (Second Respondent)