CITATION: Cassaniti v Croucher & Ors [2000] NSWCA 95

FILE NUMBER(S): CA 40383/99

HEARING DATE(S): 27 March 2000

JUDGMENT DATE:
3 May 2000

PARTIES :

Sam Peter Cassaniti (Claimant)
Robert Ian Croucher (First Opponent)
Peter Kepreotis (Second Opponent)
Commissioner of Police (Third Opponent)
State of New South Wales (Fourth Opponent)

JUDGMENT OF: Mason P at 1; Heydon JA at 19; Foster AJA at 78

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : Supreme Court

LOWER COURT
FILE NUMBER(S) : 30123/96

LOWER COURT
JUDICIAL OFFICER : Dunford J

COUNSEL: M Thangaraj (Claimant)
D Cowan (1st, 3rd and 4th Opponents)

SOLICITORS: Mark Rumore (Claimant)
I V Knight, NSW Crown Solicitor (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Opponents) - 2nd Opponent submitting appearance

CATCHWORDS: VALIDITY OF SEARCH WARRANT - Requirement that Application for a search warrant specify the grounds upon which the warrant is sought - Search Warrants Act 1985 (NSW) ss 5, 11, 12A and 23 - Search Warrants Act 1985 - Regulation 1994 (NSW) Form 1 - Defect affecting the substance of a search warrant in a material particular - Strict legislative compliance in the issue of search warrants required to safeguard individual privacy - D

LEGISLATION CITED: Search Warrants Act 1985 (NSW)
Search Warrants Regulation 1994
Interpretation Act 1987
Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)

CASES CITED:
Liversidge v Anderson [1942] AC 206
W A Pines Pty Ltd v Bannerman (1980) 41 FLR 175
Bartlett v Weir (1994) 72 A Crim R 511
George v Rockett (1990) 170 CLR 104
Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441
Haynes v Attorney-General of New South Wales (unreported, 9 February 1996, James J)
Parker v Churchill (1985) 9 FCR 316
R v Tillett; ex parte Newton (1969) 14 FLR 101
Carpenter v Carpenter Grazing Co Pty Ltd (1987) 5 ACLC 506

DECISION: 1. Grant leave to appeal. 2. Appeal upheld. 3. Declare that the search warrant issued to the first defendant on 1 November 1996 in relation to Suite 1, 106 Moore Street, Liverpool was invalid. 4. Remit Summons to the Common Law Division for hearing as to damages. 5. Respondent to pay appellant's costs of the appeal and of the proceedings in the Court below.

THE SUPREME COURT
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
COURT OF APPEAL

CA 40383/99
ALD 30123/96

MASON P
HEYDON JA
FOSTER AJA

Wednesday, 3 May 2000

SAM PETER CASSANITI v
ROBERT IAN CROUCHER & ORS
VALIDITY OF SEARCH WARRANT - Requirement that Application for a search warrant specify the grounds upon which the warrant is sought - Search Warrants Act 1985 (NSW) ss 5, 11, 12A and 23 - Search Warrants Act 1985 - Regulation 1994 (NSW) Form 1 - Defect affecting the substance of a search warrant in a material particular - Strict legislative compliance in the issue of search warrants required to safeguard individual privacy.

On the application of the first defendant/first opponent, a police officer, a search warrant directed to the business premises of the…

Grounds of appeal

[14] The appellant contends that the primary judge erred in finding that the respondent had discharged the onus of establishing the matters required under the relevant provision.

[15] It was submitted that his Honour failed to give adequate weight to the evidence of the second witness, and that the findings of fact were not reasonably open on the material before the Court.

[16] The respondent, for its part, submits that no error is disclosed, and that the conclusions reached were well within the range of outcomes available to the primary judge.

Consideration

[17] It is convenient to deal first with the question of construction, as the resolution of that issue informs the remaining grounds advanced by the appellant.

[18] For the reasons that follow, we are of the view that the appeal should be allowed in part and the matter remitted for further determination.

Continue reading Cassaniti v Croucher

Details

AGLC: Cassaniti v Croucher [2000] NSWCA 95
Case: [2000] NSWCA 95
Decision Date: 3 May 2000

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In *Cassaniti v Croucher*, the Court of Appeal of New South Wales considered the validity of a search warrant issued to the first defendant. The appellant sought to challenge the legality of the search warrant, which had been executed at Suite 1, 106 Moore Street, Liverpool.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether the search warrant, as issued, complied with the requirements of the *Search Warrants Act 1985* (NSW) and its associated regulations. Specifically, the Court had to determine if any defects in the application or the warrant itself were so substantial as to render the warrant invalid, thereby infringing upon the appellant's privacy rights.

The Court reasoned that strict legislative compliance is essential in the issuance of search warrants to safeguard individual privacy. It found that a defect affecting the substance of the warrant in a material particular would render it invalid. Applying this principle, the Court concluded that the search warrant issued to the first defendant on 1 November 1996 was invalid.

Consequently, the Court granted leave to appeal, upheld the appeal, and declared the search warrant invalid. The matter was remitted to the Common Law Division for a hearing as to damages, and the respondent was ordered to pay the appellant's costs of the appeal and the proceedings below.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. Grant leave to appeal. 2. Appeal upheld. 3. Declare that the search warrant issued to the first defendant on 1 November 1996 in relation to Suite 1, 106 Moore Street, Liverpool was invalid. 4. Remit Summons to the Common Law Division for hearing as to damages. 5. Respondent to pay appellant's costs of the appeal and of the proceedings in the Court below.

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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Citations

AGLC Citation

Cassaniti v Croucher [2000] NSWCA 95

Most Recent Citation

Caratti v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (No 2) [2016] FCA 1132

Cases citing this decision · 16 of 16 shown

Johnson v Commissioner of New South Wales Police
[2025] NSWSC 21 Para 157

…In Cassaniti v Croucher (2000) 48 NSWLR 623; [2000] NSWCA 95, the search warrant was held to be invalid for non-compliance with the statutory requirements. The application was not “in writing in the form prescribed” and the information provided in paragraph 4 of the application did not satisfy the separate and add…
Middlin-Hannah v The Queen
[2020] SASCFC 112 Para 13

…1989) 39 A Crim R 157; G.H. Photography Pty Ltd v McGarrigle [1974] 2 NSWLR 635; Cassaniti v Croucher (1997) 37 ATR 269; Rowell v Larter (1986) 6 NSWLR 21; R v Elomar (No 11) [2009] NSWSC 385; R v Tang (2007) 250 LSJS 99; McElroy v The Queen (2018) 55 VR 450; Siddique v Martin (2016) 51 VR 564; Chief Executive Administering t…
Lee v NSW Commissioner of Police (No.3)
[2019] NSWSC 694

…issioner of Australian Federal Police [2017] FCAFC 177; (2017) 257 FCR 166 Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441; (1991) 58 A Crim R 243 Cassaniti v Croucher (1997) 37 ATR 269 Castrol Australia Pty Ltd v Emtech Associates Pty Ltd (1980) 33 ALR 31 Coco v A N Clark (Engineers) Ltd [1969] RPC 41 Crowley v Murphy [1981] FCA 31;…
R v Khayat (No 3)
[2019] NSWSC 1316 Para 126

…ment in the precise terms of paragraph 6. Thus, the present case is to be distinguished from cases, such as Cassaniti v Croucher (2000) 48 NSWLR 623; [2000] NSWCA 95, where the statutory authority for the issue of a warrant expressly required that an application or instrument be “in the form prescribed” and an app…
Chen v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police
[2017] FCA 1558 Para 6

…s for a determination as to admissibility: see Caratti at [152]-[153], citing Puglisi v Australian Fisheries Management Authority (1997) 148 ALR 393; Cassaniti v Croucher (1997) 37 ATR 269; Wright v Queensland Police Service [2002] QSC 46; [2002] 2 Qd R 667; and CC v Rayney [2012] WASC 56; 42 WAR 498.…
Caratti v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police
[2017] FCAFC 177 Para 20

…principle was evident upon his Honour’s examination of the decisions in Puglisi v Australian Fisheries Management Authority (1997) 148 ALR 393, Cassaniti v Croucher (1997) 37 ATR 269 and Wright v Queensland Police Service [2002] QSC 46; [2002] 2 Qd R 667. Similarly, his Honour considered that the decision of CC v Rayney [2012…
Caratti v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (No 2)
[2016] FCA 1132

…1983) 153 CLR 52 Beneficial Finance Corporation v Commissioner of Australian Federal Police (1991) 31 FCR 523 Cassaniti v Croucher (1997) 37 ATR 269 CC v Rayney (2012) 42 WAR 498 Chong v Schultz [2000] FCA 582 Crowley v Murphy [1981] FCA 26 Different Solutions Pty Ltd v Commissioner, Australian Federal Police [2008] FCA 1686…
Watkins v State of Victoria
[2010] VSCA 138 Para 1

…statutory requirements where abridgement of established liberties is authorised. [12] Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 58 A Crim R 243, Cassaniti v Croucher (2000) 175 ALR 113, Hart v Commissioner, Australian Federal Police (2002) 124 FCR 384, Commissioner of the Federal Police v Oke (2007) 159 FCR 441.…
Kaldon Karout v Constable Mathew Stratton & Ors
[2007] NSWSC 1034

…s governing search warrants (as to which see for example Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441 at 454 per Meagher JA (diss) and Cassaniti v Croucher (2000) 48 NSWLR 623 at 636 [52] per Heydon JA (diss)). I am however firmly of the view that any breach of s 68 of the Act by the announcement and entry in this case bein…
State of New South Wales v Corbett
[2007] HCA 32 Para 17

…he tension to which Brennan J referred in Halliday . [8] Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441 at 454 per Meagher JA (diss) and Cassaniti v Croucher (2000) 48 NSWLR 623 at 636 [52] per Heydon JA (diss).…
Ballis v Randall
[2007] NSWSC 422

…LR 230 Carroll v Attorney General of NSW (1993) 70 A Crim R 162 Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441 Cassanti v Croucher & Ors [2000] 48 NSWLR 623 CEO of Customs v Jiang (2001) 183 ALR 604 Coco v The Queen (1993-94) 179 CLR 427 Commissioner of Police v Atkinson [1991] 23 NSWLR 495 Conwell v Tapfield [1981] 1…
Corbett v State of New South Wales
[2006] NSWCA 138

…Ltd (1989) 41 A Crim R 274; Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441; Carver v Clerk of Bankstown Local Court [1998] NSWSC 358; Cassaniti v Croucher (1999) 48 NSWLR 623; Chapmans Ltd v Australian Stock Exchange Ltd (1994) 51 FCR 501; Chic Fashions (West Wales) Ltd v Jones (1968) 2 QB 299; Chittick v Ackland (1984) 1 FC…
R v Tracey (No 3)
[2005] SASC 357

…(1984) 155 CLR 1; Garwood v Schultz [1982] Tas R 120; Carroll & Ors v Mijovich & Ors (1991) 58 ACrimR 243; Cassaniti v Croucher & Ors (2000) 48 NSWLR 623; Ozzie Discount Software (Aust) Pty Ltd v Muling & Ors (1996) 86 ACrimR 387; Question of Law Reserved on Acquittal (No 5 of 1999) (2000) 76 SASR 356; Karina Fisherie…
Wright v Queensland Police Service
[2002] QSC 46

…tion Ltd v Australian Federal Police Commissioner (1991) 103 ALR 167 Brewer v Castles & Ors (No. 2) (1984) 52 ALR 577 Cassaniti v Croucher (1997) 37 ATR 269 Challenge Plastics Pty Ltd v Collector of Customs (1993) 42 FCR 397 Commissioner of Police v Atkinson (1991) 23 NSWLR 495 Commissioner of Police v Barbaro (2001) 51 NSWLR…
R v Fraser Adams
[2001] NTSC 32 Para 11

…rial relevant to the prosecution of criminal proceedings because the material was illegally obtained: see Rowell v Larter (1986) 6 NSWLR 21 at 29-33; Cassaniti v Croucher (1997) 37 ATR 269 at 280 per Dunford J; Puglisi and Another v Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Others (1997) 148 ALR 393 at 403-405. In Puglisi…
Miller v Sweeney
[2000] NSWSC 585

…ly 1998) Tran Nominees Pty Ltd v Scheffer & ors (1986) 42 SASR 361 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Cloran (1984) 57 ALR 742 Cassaniti v Croucher [2000] NSWCA 95 Warner v Elder (unreported - Temby AJ - 23 April 1997) MacGibbon v Warner (unreported - Court of Appeal - 27 November 1997) DECISION: See paras 35 &…

View all 16 citing cases →

Cases cited in this decision · 5 of 5 shown

George v Rockett
[1990] HCA 26

…ES CITED: Liversidge v Anderson [1942] AC 206 W A Pines Pty Ltd v Bannerman (1980) 41 FLR 175 Bartlett v Weir (1994) 72 A Crim R 511 George v Rockett (1990) 170 CLR 104 Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441 Haynes v Attorney-General of New South Wales (unreported, 9 February 1996, James J) Parker v Churchill (1985)…
Parker v Churchill
[1986] FCA 90

…CLR 104 Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441 Haynes v Attorney-General of New South Wales (unreported, 9 February 1996, James J) Parker v Churchill (1985) 9 FCR 316 R v Tillett; ex parte Newton (1969) 14 FLR 101 Carpenter v Carpenter Grazing Co Pty Ltd (1987) 5 ACLC 506 DECISION: 1. Grant leave to appeal. 2. Appe…
Parker v Churchill
[1985] FCA 576

…Rockett (1990) 170 CLR 104 Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441 Haynes v Attorney-General of New South Wales (unreported, 9 February 1996, James J) Parker v Churchill (1985) 9 FCR 316 R v Tillett; ex parte Newton (1969) 14 FLR 101 Carpenter v Carpenter Grazing Co Pty Ltd (1987) 5 ACLC 506 DECISION: 1. Grant leave to appea…
WA Pines Pty Ltd v Bannerman
[1980] FCA 94

…Regulation 1994 Interpretation Act 1987 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) CASES CITED: Liversidge v Anderson [1942] AC 206 W A Pines Pty Ltd v Bannerman (1980) 41 FLR 175 Bartlett v Weir (1994) 72 A Crim R 511 George v Rockett (1990) 170 CLR 104 Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441 Haynes v Attorney-General of New So…
[1942] AC 206
[1942] AC 206

…rch Warrants Act 1985 (NSW) Search Warrants Regulation 1994 Interpretation Act 1987 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) CASES CITED: Liversidge v Anderson [1942] AC 206 W A Pines Pty Ltd v Bannerman (1980) 41 FLR 175 Bartlett v Weir (1994) 72 A Crim R 511 George v Rockett (1990) 170 CLR 104 Carroll v Mijovich (1991)…

Legislation cited in this decision · 3

Search Warrants Act 1985 (NSW)
11, 11(1)), 12A, 23, 5 6 mentions
Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW)
80(1), 80(1)) 3 mentions
Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)
1 mention

CITATION:	Cassaniti v Croucher & Ors [2000] NSWCA 95
FILE NUMBER(S):	CA 40383/99
HEARING DATE(S):	27 March 2000
JUDGMENT DATE:	3 May 2000
PARTIES :	Sam Peter Cassaniti (Claimant) Robert Ian Croucher (First Opponent) Peter Kepreotis (Second Opponent) Commissioner of Police (Third Opponent) State of New South Wales (Fourth Opponent)
JUDGMENT OF:	Mason P at 1; Heydon JA at 19; Foster AJA at 78

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION :	Supreme Court
LOWER COURT FILE NUMBER(S) :	30123/96
LOWER COURT JUDICIAL OFFICER :	Dunford J

COUNSEL:	M Thangaraj (Claimant) D Cowan (1st, 3rd and 4th Opponents)
SOLICITORS:	Mark Rumore (Claimant) I V Knight, NSW Crown Solicitor (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Opponents) - 2nd Opponent submitting appearance
CATCHWORDS:	VALIDITY OF SEARCH WARRANT - Requirement that Application for a search warrant specify the grounds upon which the warrant is sought - Search Warrants Act 1985 (NSW) ss 5, 11, 12A and 23 - Search Warrants Act 1985 - Regulation 1994 (NSW) Form 1 - Defect affecting the substance of a search warrant in a material particular - Strict legislative compliance in the issue of search warrants required to safeguard individual privacy - D
LEGISLATION CITED:	Search Warrants Act 1985 (NSW) Search Warrants Regulation 1994 Interpretation Act 1987 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)
CASES CITED:	Liversidge v Anderson [1942] AC 206 W A Pines Pty Ltd v Bannerman (1980) 41 FLR 175 Bartlett v Weir (1994) 72 A Crim R 511 George v Rockett (1990) 170 CLR 104 Carroll v Mijovich (1991) 25 NSWLR 441 Haynes v Attorney-General of New South Wales (unreported, 9 February 1996, James J) Parker v Churchill (1985) 9 FCR 316 R v Tillett; ex parte Newton (1969) 14 FLR 101 Carpenter v Carpenter Grazing Co Pty Ltd (1987) 5 ACLC 506
DECISION:	1. Grant leave to appeal. 2. Appeal upheld. 3. Declare that the search warrant issued to the first defendant on 1 November 1996 in relation to Suite 1, 106 Moore Street, Liverpool was invalid. 4. Remit Summons to the Common Law Division for hearing as to damages. 5. Respondent to pay appellant's costs of the appeal and of the proceedings in the Court below.