R v Elzahed (No 1) [2018] NSWLC 21

Local Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Elzahed (No 1) [2018] NSWLC 21 Hearing dates: 19 - 21 February 2018 Decision date: 20 February 2018 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Huntsman LCM Decision: The proceedings were validly commenced and the Local Court accordingly has jurisdiction to hear the proceedings Catchwords: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE – commencing proceedings - whether Attorney General's consent validly given to prosecution of the particular offences before the court - whether delegation by Attorney General to Solicitor General was invalid - whether instrument of delegation invalid on the words of instruments for lack of specificity - whether authorisation of the prosecution validly made - whether proceedings not validly commenced by Attorney General such that there is no jurisdiction Legislation Cited: District Court Act 1973, s 200A Solicitor General Act 1969, s 4 Cases Cited: Berwin v Donohoe (1915) 21 CLR 1 Crichton v Victorian Dairies Limited [1965] VR 49 McConnell Dowell Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd v Environmental Protection Authority (2000) 50 NSWLR 127 McConnell Dowell Constructions Australia Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (unreported, NSWCCA, 25/10/96) Oates v Williams [1998] 84 FCR 348 R v Bacon [1973] 1 NSWLR 87 R v Cain [1976] QB 496 Robinson v Eureka Operations Pty Limited (2008) 192 A Crim R 234 Traveland Pty Ltd v Doherty (1982) 63 FLR 41 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: NSW Department of Justice (prosecution) Moutiaa Elzahed (defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr D Kell SC with Ms A Mitchelmore (prosecution) Mr D Hume (defendant)