Environment Protection Authority v Newcastle Port Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 92

Land and Environment Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Environment Protection Authority v Newcastle Port Corporation [2019] NSWLEC 92 Hearing dates: 13 May and 17 June 2019 Date of orders: 28 June 2019 Decision date: 28 June 2019 Jurisdiction: Class 5 Before: Robson J Decision: See orders at [69] Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – subpoena filed by defendant seeking production of draft reports prepared by expert retained by prosecutor – prosecutor claimed privilege over and objected to access being given to draft reports on the grounds of legal professional privilege – whether draft reports privileged – whether privilege waived – privilege claim upheld and access not granted Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) ss 117, 118, 119, 122, 126, 131A, 142 Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW) s 120 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) r 33.8 Cases Cited: Buzzle Operations v Apple Computer Australia (2009) 74 NSWLR 469; [2009] NSWSC 225 Hancock v Rinehart (Privilege) [2016] NSWSC 12 Hartogen Energy Ltd (in liq) v Australian Gas Light Co (1992) 36 FCR 557; [1992] FCA 322 Lubeck v NSW Police Force [2019] NSWSC 504 Mann v Carnell (1999) 201 CLR 1; [1999] HCA 66 ML Ubase Holdings Co Ltd v Trigem Computer Inc (2007) 69 NSWLR 577; [2007] NSWSC 859 New Cap Reinsurance Corporation Ltd (in liq) v Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd [2007] NSWSC 258 Shea v TruEnergy Services Pty Ltd (No 5) [2013] FCA 937; (2013) 303 ALR 230 Sugden v Sugden (2007) 70 NSWLR 301; [2007] NSWCA 312 Sydney Airports Corporation Ltd v Singapore Airlines Ltd & Qantas Airways [2005] NSWCA 47 Tavcol Pty Ltd v Valbeet Pty Ltd [2016] NSWSC 1002 Towney v Minister for Land & Water Conservation (NSW) (1997) 76 FCR 401 Traderight (NSW) Pty Ltd v Bank of Queensland Ltd (No 14) [2013] NSWSC 211 Texts Cited: NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet Memorandum M1997-26 Litigation Involving Government Authorities Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Environment Protection Authority (Prosecutor) Newcastle Port Corporation (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Z Heger (Prosecutor) C R Ireland (Defendant)