http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSCA/2014/261.html
CONTEMPT OF COURT – Industrial dispute – Preventing access to building sites – Restraining orders made – Alleged breaches of restraining orders – Proceeding alleging contempt of court initiated under Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2005 (r 75.06(2)) – Whether civil or criminal proceeding in circumstances of case.
CONTEMPT OF COURT – Finding made of breaches of restraining orders – Finding of criminal contempt – Criminal convictions recorded and fines imposed – Whether finding of criminal contempt available when charges did not plead contumacious conduct – Whether contumacy an element of criminal contempt or an aggravating circumstance – Nature of contempt – Effect of X7 v Australian Crime Commission [2013] HCA 29; (2013) 248 CLR 92 and Lee v The Queen (2014) 88 ALJR 656 – Whether contumacy must be pleaded in order that contempt for breach of Court orders be treated as criminal – Contumacy need not be pleaded – Sufficient that alleged contemnor put on notice that allegation of contumacy is made.
CRIMINAL LAW – Alleged breaches of restraining orders – Whether trial judge erred in finding applicant had breached restraining orders – Terms of orders – Whether particulars of charges satisfied – Significance of redeployment of workers before relevant blockading conduct commenced – Not reasonably arguable that trial judge erred in findings of contempt.
CRIMINAL LAW – Alleged breaches of restraining orders – Whether evidence to support findings of breaches to criminal standard – Not reasonably arguable that trial judge erred in so finding.
CRIMINAL LAW – Breaches of restraining orders – Finding of criminal contempt – Fine imposed – Whether fine in respect of breach disproportionate to fines imposed for other breaches – Not reasonably arguable that fine disproportionate.
Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union v Boral Resources (Vic) Pty Ltd (S APCI 2014 0040)
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Discovery – Whether procedure under r 29.07 available against alleged contemnor in contempt proceedings brought under Supreme Court General Civil Procedure) Rules 2005 (r 75.06)(2)) – Proceeding alleging breaches of court orders – Nature of contempt alleged – Relevant evidentiary/procedural regime – Corporate defendant – Whether discovery unavailable by reason of contempt proceeding ‘criminal’ and ‘accusatorial’ – Leave to appeal against order for discovery refused.