Wang v State of New South Wales [2019] NSWCA 263

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Wang v State of New South Wales [2019] NSWCA 263 Hearing dates: 27 August 2019 Decision date: 22 November 2019 Before: Macfarlan JA at [1]; Meagher JA at [2]; McCallum JA at [3] Decision: 1. Grant leave to appeal. 2. Dismiss the appeal. 3. Refuse leave on the cross-appeal. Catchwords: TORTS – false imprisonment – wrongful arrest – assault and battery – arrest pursuant to a warrant – whether primary judge erred in preferring the evidence of police officers to the evidence of the plaintiff – whether primary judge erred in finding that the plaintiff was lawfully arrested whether primary judge required to consider all submissions made during hearing – whether police required to consider alternatives to arrest – whether police required to give reasons for arrest – whether primary judge erred in failing to award exemplary damages – false imprisonment found to be unintentional Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 3B(1)(a), 21, 43A Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW), ss 31, 22(5) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), s 239 District Court Act 1973 (NSW), s 127(2)(c) Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW), ss 99, 101, 201(2) Cases Cited: Be Financial Pty Ltd (as trustee for BE Financial Operations Trust) v Das [2012] NSWCA 164 Benn v State of New South Wales [2016] NSWCA 314 Croucher v Cachia (2016) 95 NSWLR 117; [2016] NSWCA 365 Dranichnikov v Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 26; (2003) 77 ALJR 1088 New South Wales v Smith (2017) 93 NSWLR 280; [2017] NSWCA 194 Poidevin v Semaan (2013) 85 NSWLR 758; [2013] NSWCA 334 Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 at 271 State of New South Wales v Ibbett (2006) 229 CLR 638; [2006] HCA 57 State of New South Wales v Le [2017] NSWCA 290 State of New South Wales v McCarthy [2015] NSWCA 153; (2015) 251 A Crim R 445 State of New South Wales v Robinson (2016) 93 NSWLR 280; [2016] NSWCA 334 State of New South Wales v Smith (2017) 93 NSWLR 280; [2017] NSWCA 194 State of New South Wales v Zreika [2012] NSWCA 37 Zaravinos v State of New South Wales (2004) 62 NSWLR 58; [2004] NSWCA 320 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Jia Nong Wang (appellant/cross-appellant) State of New South Wales (respondent/cross- respondent)) Representation: Counsel: M Robinson SC, M McAuley (appellant/cross- appellant) D Villa SC, B K Nolan (respondent/cross-respondent)