The below cases will be published in upcoming CLR parts. The authored catchwords for these cases come from the relevant Australian Law Journal Reports.

For customers who subscribe to cases on Westlaw AU: the case title links to FirstPoint; the media neutral citation links to the unreported full-text judgment; and the ALJR citation links to the report.

Wingfoot Aust v Kocak [2013] HCA 43; (2013) 88 ALJR 52

Administrative Law — Administrative tribunals — Generally — Victoria - Prerogative writs and orders — Certiorari — In respect of what matters and to what tribunals — Medical panels — Statutory duty to give reasons — Adequacy of reasons — Administrative Law Act 1978  (Vic), s 10

Workers Compensation — Proceedings to obtain compensation — Determination of claims — Medical examinations — Certificates issued by board Legal effect — When regarded as binding on courts — Particular proceedings for which opinion sought - Accident Compensation Act 1985  (Vic), ss 45(1)(b), 68(2), 68(4)

Karpany v Dietman [2013] HCA 47; (2013) 88 ALJR 90

Aboriginals — Native title — Extinguishment — By statute — Acts not amounting to extinguishment — Conditional prohibitions on classes of activity —Primary Industry — Fish — Permit or licences — South Australia — Offences — Effect of power to gazette exemptions — Whether amounting to ‘licence, permit or other instrument’ —Fisheries Act 1971  (SA), ss 29(2), 42(1), 47, 47(4), 72(2)(c), 115 — Native Title Act 1993  (Cth), s 211, 211(3)(b)

Unions NSW v NSW [2013] HCA 58; (2013) 88 ALJR 227

Constitutional Law — Operation and effect of the Commonwealth Constitution — Restrictions on Commonwealth and State legislation — Rights and freedoms implied in Commonwealth Constitution — Freedom of political communication — Application to States — Funding of State and local government elections — Statutory caps on donations and contributions — Prohibition on donation by persons other than enrolled electors — Election expenditure by organisations affiliated with political parties — Aggregation of expenditure for purposes of expenditure cap —Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Act 1981  (NSW), ss 83, 95G(6), 95G(7), 96D, 96D(1)

Maxwell v Highway Hauliers P/L [2014] HCA 33; (2014) 88 ALJR 841

Insurance — Claims generally — Refusal — Statutory restrictions on — Contractual right to refuse to pay ‘claim’ by reason of ‘act’ occurring after contract entered into — Fleet vehicle insurance — Requirement that drivers be psychologically tested — Accidents involving vehicles driven by untested drivers — Insurance Contracts Act 1984  (Cth), ss 54, 54(1), 54(2)

Kentwell v The Queen [2014] HCA 37; (2014) 88 ALJR 947

Criminal Law — Appeal and new trial — Procedure — Time for appeal — Extension of time — Appeal against sentence — Applicable principles — ‘Muldrock’ error — Principles applicable in determining application for extension — Substantial injustice — Principle of finality— Prospect of success — Criminal Procedure Act 1912  (NSW), ss 6(3), 10(1)(b) — Criminal Appeal Rules  (NSW), rr 3A, 3B

O’Grady v The Queen [2014] HCA 38; (2014) 88 ALJR 960

Criminal Law — Appeal and new trial — Procedure — Time for appeal — Extension of time — Appeal against sentence — ‘Muldrock’ error — Principles applicable in determining application for extension — Substantial injustice — Principle of finality — Criminal Procedure Act 1912  (NSW), s 10(1)(b) — Criminal Appeal Rules  (NSW), rr 3A, 3B