Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) v Stanizzo
[2019] NSWCA 12
At a glance
Source factsCourt
Court of Appeal (NSW)
Decision date
2019-02-11
Before
Basten JA, Payne JA, Rothman J
Source
Original judgment source is linked above.
Judgment (11 paragraphs)
Background facts
- On 4 November 2010, Mr Stanizzo was arrested and charged with two offences of sexual intercourse without consent with a Ms Valvano under s 61I of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). The offences were alleged to have occurred on 19 September 2008 and 25 May 2009. Mr Stanizzo was also charged with four counts of intimidation contrary to s 13(1) of the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW) relating to a Mr Badarne. Those offences were alleged to have taken place between 14 November 2009 and 21 October 2010.
- On 5 November 2010, the Director of Public Prosecutions took over the conduct of the criminal prosecutions pursuant to s 9 of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1986 (NSW).
- In December 2012, Ms Rallis, a solicitor employed in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, was assigned day-to-day carriage of the prosecution. From January 2013, Ms Rallis instructed Mr Barr as the Crown Prosecutor. On 2 August 2013, the Director of Public Prosecutions determined that there should be no further proceedings in respect of the sexual assault charges relating to Ms Valvano. On 15 January 2014, the Director of Public Prosecutions determined that there should be no further proceedings in respect of the intimidation charges relating to Mr Badarne.
- On 5 October 2016, Mr Stanizzo commenced a claim in the Supreme Court of New South Wales alleging false imprisonment and malicious prosecution against the State of New South Wales. On 22 March 2017, Mr Stanizzo issued a subpoena to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking production of documents. On 20 July 2017, the Crown Solicitor's Office wrote to Mr Stanizzo on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions claiming legal professional privilege over 77 documents, which were listed and described.
- On 25 June 2018, by notice of motion Mr Stanizzo sought access to 11 documents over which the Director of Public Prosecutions claimed privilege. A hearing on the notice of motion was held on 17 September 2018. Written submissions were subsequently exchanged. On 24 December 2018, Rothman J delivered judgment on Mr Stanizzo's motion. In relation to five of the documents, being notes taken by Ms Rallis of conferences conducted by Mr Barr with Ms Valvano, Mr Badarne and another witness, Ms McPherson, his Honour found that privilege had been lost pursuant to s 125 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW). His Honour's orders were stayed, initially by consent and subsequently by an order made in this Court on 24 January 2019 without opposition.