[2024] WASC 433
General information, not legal advice.
Supreme Court of WA
2024-11-21
Howard J
Original judgment source is linked above.
The respondent is a medical doctor and has or had matters proceeding through the SAT. These proceedings were before her Honour Pritchard J, and at the relevant time the [VRO] applicant was the associate to her Honour.
I am not aware of the nature of those proceedings in the SAT, and in any event those proceedings are not relevant to the matter before me. The respondent was self-represented in the SAT proceedings. Prior to the proceedings in the SAT, the parties were unknown to each other. On the evidence, it was apparent that the proceedings in SAT had been lengthy with a number of court appearances and, by necessity, there was regular contact between the respondent and [the VRO applicant].[4]
(citations omitted; all emphases in the original)
There was no issue that he believed he loved the applicant, and he relied upon those feelings to justify his contact with the court... .[18]
... It was apparent that he did not either understand or regard his conduct as inappropriate.[20]
Should [the VRO applicant] no longer be part of the chamber at the time this letter is filed, I request that it be forwarded to her, as it directly pertains to her. I believe it is her right to read and be aware of the contents of this letter.[25]
The [the VRO applicant's] concern about this behaviour was also raised with court security. Court security sent a warning letter to the respondent about his behaviour and contact with the applicant on 22 December 2023.[28]
... your Honour made a decision according to erroneous information... there is a very clear error in your Honour's judgment, that I was not ever warned about security, about anything... .[29]
Mistake of fact does not amount to jurisdictional error
A factual error made in the course of making a determination or decision is unlikely to be a jurisdictional error unless the particular fact is a jurisdictional fact. Courts should be slow to find that an erroneous finding of fact or an error of reasoning in finding a fact, made in the course of making a decision, demonstrates that an administrative tribunal so misunderstood the question it had to decide that its error constituted a jurisdictional error.
It is evident through the strong evidentiary materials, that the [VRO applicant] offered false and misleading evidence in the course of the VRO proceeding, both while under oath within the hearing and in her [VRO affidavit]. This evidence warrants close examination by the court due to the particular circumstances of this case.
I certify that the preceding paragraph(s) comprise the reasons for decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
[1] Annexed as DSRO-9 to the affidavit of the applicant.
[2] [26] at page 22 of the applicant's affidavit.
[3] Annexure DSRO-5 to the affidavit of the applicant.
[5] Annexure DSRO-1 to the applicant's affidavit.
[6] The letter commences under the heading of 'Applicant's Letter 6' at page 47 of the applicant's affidavit.
[7] Annexed as DSRO-1 at page 62 of the applicant's affidavit.
[8] Page 14 of the applicant's affidavit (all emphases in the original).
[9] Page 14 of the applicant's affidavit (all emphases in the original).
[10] Pages 20 - 21 of the applicant's affidavit (all emphasis in the original).
[11] I have taken the descriptions of these documents from the applicant's email of 18 October 2024.
[12] I note that this letter was also attached to his affidavit (commencing at p 47).
[13] Unless otherwise indicated, all statutory references from here are to the Magistrates Court Act 2004 (WA).
[14] The applicant referred to the review application as a writ of certiorari: ts 4 and 7 on 29 October 2024.
[15] Rayney v AW [2009] WASCA 203 [25] ‑ [27], [31] (McLure JA for the Court).
[16] See also Bajaj v Magistrate Trevor Darge [2021] WASCA 218 at [47] (Beech & Vaughan JJA); Emanuel Exports Pty Ltd v Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development [2023] WASCA 36; (2023) 414 ALR 26 at [17] (Buss P, Mitchell & Beech JJA).
[18] ts 78 on 29 February 2024. The Magistrate read the letters sent as the applicant expressing 'his feelings, love and regard of the applicant': ts 81 on 29 February 2024.
[23] Note: at the hearing on 29 October 2024, the applicant later changed this Ground to be a mistake of fact, rather than mistake of law: ts 24.
[25] [32] at page 14 in the applicant's letter 6.
[32] Annexed as part of DSRO-1 to the applicant's affidavit.
[34] Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs; Ex parte Cohen [2001] HCA 23; (2001) 177 ALR 473 [35] (McHugh J): this was discussed in the context of a decision of a tribunal.
[35] Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24, 40 (Mason J).
[36] Seiffert v The Prisoners Review Board [2011] WASCA 148 [195] (Martin CJ) citing Lu v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2004] FCAFC 340; (2004) 141 FCR 346 and Akers v Minister for Immigration Local Government and Ethnic Affairs [1988] FCA 459; (1988) 20 FCR 363, 373; Sezdirmezoglu v Acting Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs [1983] FCA 267; (1983) 51 ALR 561, 573.
[37] SZFVL v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs [2005] FMCA 991; (2005) 223 ALR 747, 760 [22] (Driver FM).
[38] Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union v Fair Work Australia (2012) 203 FCR 389, 413 [92] (Tracey J).
[40] ts 10 - 11 on 29 October 2024. Note at the hearing on 5 February 2024, the applicant said only the final page was missing: ts 57 - 58 on 5 February 2024.
[50] ts 6 on 5 February 2024 at 9.20 am.
[51] ts 6 on 5 February 2024 at about 11.30 am.
(2001) 177 ALR 473
(1986) 162 CLR 24
(2004) 141 FCR 346
(1983) 51 ALR 561
(2005) 223 ALR 747
(2023) 414 ALR 26
(1988) 20 FCR 363
(2012) 203 FCR 389