Collier v Country Women's Association of New South Wales

In *Collier v Country Women's Association of New South Wales*, the applicant, Mr Collier, sought a review of case management orders made by the Registrar and also applied for the referral of various individuals for alleged criminal actions. The proceedings were before Gleeson JA in the Court of Appeal of New South Wales.

The primary legal issues before the Court were whether the Registrar's case management orders should be confirmed or set aside, and whether there was a basis for the recusal or disqualification of the judge and the Registrar due to apprehended bias. The applicant also sought to have certain persons referred for alleged criminal conduct.

Gleeson JA considered the applications for review and referral, as well as the allegations of apprehended bias. The Court applied principles relating to judicial impartiality and the proper exercise of case management powers by a Registrar. The Court found no grounds to uphold the applicant's claims of apprehended bias against the judge or the Registrar, nor were there sufficient grounds to refer individuals for criminal action.

The Court made orders confirming the Registrar's case management orders, standing over certain aspects of the applicant's motion for mention before the Registrar, and directing the applicant to file an affidavit. The applicant's notice of motion filed on 15 December 2017 was otherwise dismissed, and the applicant was ordered to pay the respondent's costs. The applicant's subsequent notice of motion filed on 22 February 2018 was also dismissed, with the applicant ordered to pay the respondent's costs for that motion.