McLachlan v Browne (No 9) [2019] NSWSC 10

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: McLachlan v Browne (No 9) [2019] NSWSC 10 Hearing dates: 17 January 2019 Decision date: 17 January 2019 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: McCallum J Decision: Proceedings stayed until final determination of the criminal proceedings commenced in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE – application by plaintiff for stay of proceedings for defamation shortly before date fixed for hearing – where criminal proceedings recently commenced against plaintiff based on same allegations as those raised in truth defences in defamation action – consideration of the guidelines stated in McMahon v Gould in light of subsequent decision of High Court in Reid v Howard – whether puisne judge bound by McMahon guidelines – consideration of delay, cost and impact of proceedings particularly on individual defendant – whether stay necessary for the protection of the privilege against self-incrimination in the face of powerful competing considerations Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), part 6 Criminal Procedure Act 2009 (Vic), ss 28 and 29 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 128 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), s 56A Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) Cases Cited: Australian Securities Commission v Kavanagh (1993) 12 ACSR 69 Commissioner of Australian Federal Police v Zhao (2015) 225 CLR 46; [2015] HCA 5 Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (2009) 75 NSWLR 581; [2009] NSWCA 347 Flegg v Hallett [2015] 1 Qd R 191; [2014] QSC 220 Glenister v R [1980] 2 NSWLR 597 Griffin v Sogelease Australia Ltd [2002] NSWCA 421 Gypsy Fire v Truth Newspapers Pty Ltd (1987) 9 NSWLR 382 Halabi v Westpac Banking Corporation (1989) 17 NSWLR 26 Kanaan v R [2006] NSWCCA 109 McMahon v Gould (1982) 7 ACLR 202 Reid v Howard (2005) 184 CLR 1; [1995] HCA 40 Williams v R (1986) 161 CLR 278; [1986] HCA 88 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Proceedings 2018/34244: Craig McLachlan (plaintiff) Christie Whelan Browne (first defendant) Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd (second defendant)