21 So far as the broader principle is concerned, it is I think fair to describe the submissions of the defendants on this point as somewhat diffuse. It is not always easy to ascertain from them the precise elements of the "double jeopardy" principle upon which it is sought to rely. As has been pointed out in Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610, the expression "double jeopardy" is not always used with a single meaning (at 614 ff per McHugh, Hayne and Callanan JJ). It seems to me that the two matters upon which the defendants principally rely are the principle that decisions of courts, unless set aside or quashed, should be accepted as "incontrovertibly correct", most recently discussed in R v Carroll [2002] HCA 55, and the "practice, if not a rule of law, that a person should not be twice punished for what is substantially the same act" (R v Hoar [1981] HCA 67; (1981) 148 CLR 32 at 38 per Gibbs CJ, Mason, Aickin and Brennan JJ). Again, so far as the defendants other than Maddeliene Caratti are concerned, it is my view that neither of these principles could arguably preclude the plaintiff from bringing or succeeding in the present proceedings against the defendants, or could justify a stay of those proceedings as an abuse of process.