Shuquan Liu v Health Care Complaints Commission
[2018] NSWSC 315
At a glance
Source factsCourt
Supreme Court of NSW
Decision date
2017-11-14
Before
Wilson J
Source
Original judgment source is linked above.
Judgment (8 paragraphs)
Judgment
- HER HONOUR: By an Amended Summons filed with the leave of the Court during the hearing of the matter on 14 November 2017 the plaintiff, Shuquan Liu, appeals against two decisions of the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal ("NCAT" or "the Tribunal"). He seeks the following orders: 1 An order quashing the decisions of the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal in the matter of Health Care Complaints Commission v Liu [2017] NSWCATOD 88 made on 27 January 2017 and 2 June 2017 respectively. 2 In lieu of those decisions, order that: The complaint against the plaintiff by the Health Care Complaints Commission be dismissed; The Health Care Complaints Commission is to pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings before the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal; and In the alternative to (b), an order remitting the matter to the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal for the determination of the question of costs in light of orders 1 and 2(a). 2A In the alternative to 2, an order remitting the matter to the Tribunal for determination according to law. 2B Pursuant to r 50.3(1)(c) of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, an order extending the time for filing of the appeal to the date of filing of the summons. 3 An order staying the orders of the New South Wales and Administrative Tribunal in the matter of Health Care Complaints Commission v Liu [2017] NSWCATOD 88 made on 2 June 2017 until the determination by this Honourable Court of the appeal of the decision. 4 Costs.
- The appeal is brought pursuant to clause 29 of Part 6 of Schedule 5 to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 (NSW) ("the CAT Act"), which provides (relevantly) for a right of appeal on a question of law. An extension of time in which to bring the proceedings is required, but that point was very fairly conceded by the defendant, the Health Care Complaints Commission ("HCCC"), which did not oppose an extension of time being allowed.
- The plaintiff raises two questions of law: it is firstly contended that NCAT erred in law by determining the complaint by reference to a matter not raised by the defendant; and, secondly, that to proceed in that way without notice to the plaintiff denied him procedural fairness. The grounds are: 1 The complaint considered by the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal), in the form of an amended application by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) for disciplinary findings and orders (Amended Complaint), relevantly alleged that the plaintiff was guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct under s. 139B of the Health Practitioner National Law (NSW) (National Law). Particulars Complaint One of Amended Complaint 2 The Amended Complaint contained allegations as to conduct engaged in by the plaintiff in the form of three particulars, namely particulars 4, 7 and 9. Particulars The other particulars in the original complaint were deleted as part of the amendment on 7 October 2017. 3 The Amended Complaint alleged that: a. particular 7, if proved in isolation, would justify a finding of unsatisfactory professional conduct; b. particular 4, if proved in isolation, would not justify a finding of unsatisfactory professional conduct; c. particular 9, if proved in isolation, would not justify a finding of unsatisfactory professional conduct; and d. if two or more of the particulars were proved, that would justify a finding of unsatisfactory professional conduct. Particulars These qualifications in the Amended Complaint were specified as part of Complaint One. 4 Following a hearing of the Amended Complaint, the Tribunal: a. decided that it was satisfied that the conduct alleged in particular 9 was (in part) proved; b. decided that it was not satisfied that the conduct alleged in particular 4 was proved; c. decided that it was not satisfied that the conduct alleged in particular 7 was proved; d. made a purported finding that the plaintiff was guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct; and e. adjourned the matter for a hearing to determine the appropriate remedial orders. Particulars Decision of the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal in Health Care Complaints Commission v Liu [2017] NSWCATOD 18 made on 27 January 2017 (Stage 1 Decision). 5 Following a hearing as to the appropriate orders to be made on the basis of the Stage 1 Decision, the Tribunal decided to impose conditions on the plaintiff's registration as a Chinese medical practitioner, requiring that he submit to a number of audits by the Chinese Medicine Council of NSW. Particulars Decision of the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal in Health Care Complaints Commission v Liu [2017] NSWCATOD 88 made on 2 June 2017 (Stage 2 Decision). According to the orders made by the Tribunal in the Stage 2 Decision, the first audit by the Chinese Medicine Council is to be held within three months of 2 June 2017. 6 In the premises, the Tribunal acted without jurisdiction or otherwise erred in law in making the Stage 1 Decision and the Stage 2 Decision by purporting to make a finding of unsatisfactory professional conduct by reference to conduct that was not alleged by the HCCC to constitute unsatisfactory professional conduct. 7 Further or in the alternative, it was a breach of procedural fairness for the Tribunal to make a finding of unsatisfactory professional conduct by reference to conduct that was not alleged by the HCCC to constitute unsatisfactory professional conduct.