Commissioner of Police (NSW) v Ritson (No.3)

In *Commissioner of Police (NSW) v Ritson (No.3)*, heard before Judge Cameron, the dispute concerned an application for costs following earlier proceedings.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether the applicant, the Commissioner of Police (NSW), should be ordered to pay the respondent's costs, despite the general rule that costs follow the event. The Court was required to determine if there were any exceptional circumstances justifying a departure from this rule, particularly in light of the nature of the proceedings and the conduct of the parties.

Judge Cameron considered the principles governing the award of costs, noting that while costs typically follow the event, courts retain a discretion to depart from this principle where justice requires. The Judge found that the matter did not raise any significant question of principle that would warrant a departure from the usual order. Consequently, the Court determined that the Commissioner of Police (NSW) should pay the respondent's costs of the application.