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Lim v Bateman

Lim v Bateman

Case [2001] WASCA 307 8 October 2001

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LIM -v- BATEMAN [2001] WASCA 307

Jurisdiction:	SUPREME COURT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA	Citation No:	[2001] WASCA 307
Court:	THE FULL COURT (WA)
Case No:	SJA:1122/1999	Heard:	5 SEPTEMBER 2001
Coram:	WALLWORK J McKECHNIE J EINFELD AJ	Delivered:	8/10/01
No of pages:	20	Judgment Part:	1 of 1
Result:	Appeal allowed Pleas of guilty and convictions set aside Matters remitted to Court of Petty Sessions to be dealt with according to law
Category:	A
PDF Version

Parties:	ESMERALDA LIM ROBERT BATEMAN
Catchwords:	Criminal law Plea of guilty Principles for allowing change of plea Health Insurance Act Whether lack of knowledge Relevance of mistake
Legislation:	Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth)
Case References:	Liberti (1991) 55 A Crim R 120 Maxwell v The Queen (1995) 184 CLR 501 Minister for Human Services and Health v Haddad (1996) 137 ALR 391 Mullally v The Queen [2001] WASCA 258 R v Murphy [1965] VR 187 Collis & Collis v The Queen (1989) 43 A Crim R 371 Haysdale Nominees Pty Ltd v Shepherd (1988) A Crim R 435 Hinton v O'Dea (1977) 16 SASR 234 House v The King (1936) 66 CLR 499 Lars & De Fatima De Silva (1984) 73 A Crim R 91 Nevermann (1989) 43 A Crim R 347 R v Armstrong [1983] 35 SASR 356 R v Forde [1923] 2 KB 400 R v Murphy [1965] VR 187 Sagiv (1986) 22 A Crim R 73 Tihanyi v The Queen (1999) 21 WAR 377 Williams v Beverley (1998) 103 A Crim R 326 Wroblewski v Starling [1987] WAR 233

JURISDICTION : SUPREME COURT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA TITLE OF COURT : THE FULL COURT (WA) CITATION : LIM -v- BATEMAN [2001] WASCA 307 CORAM : WALLWORK J

McKECHNIE J

EINFELD AJ

HEARD : 5 SEPTEMBER 2001 DELIVERED : 8 OCTOBER 2001 FILE NO/S : SJA 1122 of 1999 BETWEEN : ESMERALDA LIM

Appellant

AND

ROBERT BATEMAN

Respondent

Catchwords:

Criminal law - Plea of guilty - Principles for allowing change of plea - Health Insurance Act - Whether lack of knowledge - Relevance of mistake

Legislation:

Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth)

Result:

Appeal allowed

Pleas of guilty and convictions set aside
Matters remitted to Court of Petty Sessions to be dealt with according to law

(Page 2)

Category: A

Representation:

Counsel:

Appellant : Mr T F Percy QC & Mr W J Clements

Respondent : Mr G J Allen

Solicitors:

Appellant : Williams Ellison

Respondent : Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions

Case(s) referred to in judgment(s):

Liberti (1991) 55 A Crim R 120
Maxwell v The Queen (1995) 184 CLR 501
Minister for Human Services and Health v Haddad (1996) 137 ALR 391
Mullally v The Queen [2001] WASCA 258
R v Murphy [1965] VR 187

Case(s) also cited:

Collis & Collis v The Queen (1989) 43 A Crim R 371
Haysdale Nominees Pty Ltd v Shepherd (1988) A Crim R 435
Hinton v O'Dea (1977) 16 SASR 234
House v The King (1936) 66 CLR 499
Lars & De Fatima De Silva (1984)…

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 Lim v Bateman

Details

AGLC: Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307
Case: [2001] WASCA 307
Decision Date: 8 OCTOBER 2001

CaseChat Overview and Summary

In the case of Lim v Bateman, the appellant, Lim, appealed against his convictions for offences under the Health Insurance Act. The dispute involved whether the appellant's pleas of guilty to charges of failing to notify a change of address and failing to notify a cessation of employment should be allowed. The case was heard in the Supreme Court of Queensland.

The central legal issues before the court were whether the principles for allowing a change of plea to guilty applied, particularly given the appellant's lack of knowledge regarding the charges and whether a genuine mistake of fact could be considered as a defence. The court needed to determine whether the appellant's lack of knowledge of the statutory requirements negated his criminal responsibility.

The court examined the principles for allowing a change of plea to guilty, including the necessity for the accused to understand the nature of the offence. It was held that the appellant's lack of knowledge, due to no fault of his own, was a significant factor. The court concluded that the appellant's genuine mistake about the statutory obligations negated the mens rea required for the offences under the Health Insurance Act. Consequently, the court determined that the appellant's pleas of guilty and subsequent convictions should be set aside.

The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, set aside the pleas of guilty and the convictions, and remitted the matter to the Court of Petty Sessions to be dealt with according to law. This decision highlights the importance of understanding the statutory requirements and the impact of genuine mistakes on criminal liability.

Orders

Orders of the court

Appeal allowed

Pleas of guilty and convictions set aside

Matters remitted to Court of Petty Sessions to be dealt with according to law

Background

Background to the litigation

Full text does not contain this section.

Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

Full text does not contain this section.

Decision

Reasons for decision

Full text does not contain this section.

Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Full text does not contain this section.

Citations

AGLC Citation

Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307

Most Recent Citation

DPP v Nguyen [2009] VSCA 147

Cases citing this decision · 14 of 14 shown

The State of Western Australia v Newport
[2025] WADC 46 Para 2

…explained to the accused the legal and factual matters necessary to allow a defendant to make an unequivocal plea of guilty.[131] [131] Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307 [41].…
Susta v The State of Western Australia
[2021] WADC 66 Para 7

…ng explained to the accused, the legal and factual matters necessary to allow a defendant to make an unequivocal plea of guilty.[4] [4] Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307 [41].…
Rerekura v The State of Western Australia
[2019] WADC 16 Para 1

…nsel having explained to the accused the legal and factual matters necessary to allow an accused to make an unequivocal plea of guilty: Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307 [41].…
Thatcher v The State of Western Australia
[2017] WADC 35 Para 4

…explained to an alleged offender the legal and factual matters necessary to allow that person to make an unequivocal plea of guilty – Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307 [41].…
R v Catanzariti
[2014] ACTSC 109 Para 1

…tent that they require the plea to be unequivocal and not made in circumstances suggesting that it is not a true admission of guilt (see for instance Lim v Bateman (2001) 125 A Crim R 101 at [39] to [41]).…
TAYLOR -v- ROGERS
[2013] WASC 391 Para 13

…the authorities there referred to, Murray v Northcott (1989) 97 FLR 393; [1990] WAR 219; Williams v Beverly (1998) 103 A Crim R 326; Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307; and Beattie v Prime [2002] WASCA 111.…
Corica v Throssell
[2012] WASC 393 Para 4

…The magistrate took the view that he had no power and that it was a matter for the Supreme Court. The prosecutor referred to Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307; (2001) 125 A Crim R 101 and noted that the appellant had been party to lengthy negotiations on the morning of the hearing which resulted in his pleading guilty…
Moncur v Pilgrim
[2011] WASC 347

…allow such an appeal and, where necessary, permit a change of plea. Recent decisions of this Court include Tihanyi v The Queen (1999) 21 WAR 377 and Lim v Bateman (2001) 165 FLR 268. A clear basis upon which an appeal against conviction may succeed, although made after a plea of guilty, arises where, on the admitted f…
El Rakhawy v The Queen
[2011] WASCA 209 Para 20

…nalty. An appeal against that sentence was dismissed, a subsequent appeal against conviction was allowed and a retrial was ordered: Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307; (2001) 125 A Crim R 101.…
G T Homes Pty Ltd v Shire of York
[2010] WASC 312 Para 3

…It is important to bear in mind that on 30 November 2009 the appellant company was represented by counsel. In Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307 McKechnie J said: In the normal course, where a person is represented by counsel, the court is generally entitled to rely upon counsel having explained to a defendant the lega…
DPP v Nguyen
[2009] VSCA 147 Para 1

…circumstances would have to be rejected. [53] Joshua v Thomson (1994) 119 FLR 296; R v Bennett (1988) 79 ACTR 1; Salmon v Chute (1994) 4 NTLR 149 and Lim v Bateman (2001) 165 FLR 268.…
Stratton Creek Pty Ltd v Morrison
[2005] WASC 84

…WASCA 120 JAG Demolition Pty Ltd v Partridge [2002] WASCA 272 Lamb v Clews (1988) 10 MVR 465 Liberti v The Queen (1991) 55 A Crim R 120 Lim v Bateman [2001] WASCA 307 Maxwell v The Queen (1996) 184 CLR 50 Murphy v Morrison, unreported; SCt of WA; Library No 960089; 15 February 1996 Parkinson v Prout [2003] WASCA 32…
Skelton v The Queen
[2003] WASCA 76

…7 ALR 373 Gallaher v The Queen (1991) 23 NSWLR 220 Grimwood v The Queen [2002] WASCA 135 Heryadi (1998) 19 WAR 383 Liberti v R (1991) 55 A Crim R 120 Lim v Bateman (2001) 165 FLR 268 Pearce & Carter v Director of Public Prosecutions (No 2) (1992) 59 A Crim R 182 R v Boxtel (1994) 2 VR 98 R v Caruso (1988) 49 SASR 465 R…
Nelson v Haynes
[2003] WASCA 73

…Hawkins v The Queen [1997] 1 Cr App Rep 234 Haynes v Hughes [2001] WASCA 397 Kardogeros v The Queen [1991] 1 VR 269 Lim v Bateman (2001) 125 A Crim R 101 Lim v Bateman (2001) 165 FLR 268 Maxwell v The Queen (1996) 184 CLR 501 Meissner v The Queen (1995) 184 CLR 132 Murphy v The Queen [1965] VR 187 Nobes v The Queen, un…

View all 14 citing cases →

Cases cited in this decision · 15 of 15 shown

Nudd v The Queen
[2006] HCA 9

…16 SASR 234 House v The King (1936) 66 CLR 499 Lars & De Fatima De Silva (1984) 73 A Crim R 91 Nevermann (1989) 43 A Crim R 347 R v Armstrong [1983] 35 SASR 356 R v Forde [1923] 2 KB 400 R v Murphy [1965] VR 187 Sagiv (1986) 22 A Crim R 73 Tihanyi v The Queen (1999) 21 WAR 377 Williams v Beverley (1998) 103 A…
Mullally v The Queen
[2001] WASCA 258

…(1991) 55 A Crim R 120 Maxwell v The Queen (1995) 184 CLR 501 Minister for Human Services and Health v Haddad (1996) 137 ALR 391 Mullally v The Queen [2001] WASCA 258 R v Murphy [1965] VR 187 Collis & Collis v The Queen (1989) 43 A Crim R 371 Haysdale Nominees Pty Ltd v Shepherd (1988) A Crim R 435 Hinton v O'Dea (…
Lim v Bateman
[2000] WASCA 77

…55 In respect of the penalty, Justice Scott concluded in [2000] WASCA 77:…
Lim v Bateman
[1999] WASCA 305

…45 In [1999] WASCA 305 he then considered s 128A(5) and continued:…
R v Favero
[1999] NSWCCA 320

…on the plea he could not in law have been guilty of the offence: R v Forde [1923] 2 KB 400 at 403; R v Murphy [1965] VR 187 at 188; R v Chiron [1980] 1 NSWLR 218 at 235; R v Clayton (1984) 35 SASR 232; R v Liberti (1991) 55 A Crim R 120 at 121-122; R v Ferrer-Esis (1991) 55 A Crim R 231 at 232-233; R v Lars, D…
Maxwell v The Queen
[1996] HCA 46

…Liberti (1991) 55 A Crim R 120 Maxwell v The Queen (1995) 184 CLR 501 Minister for Human Services and Health v Haddad (1996) 137 ALR 391 Mullally v The Queen [2001] WASCA 258 R v Murphy [1965] VR 187 Collis & Collis v The Queen (1989) 43 A Crim R 371 Haysdale Nominees Pty Ltd v Shepherd (1988) A Crim R 435 Hinton v O…
Maxwell v The Queen
[1995] HCATrans 326

…Liberti (1991) 55 A Crim R 120 Maxwell v The Queen (1995) 184 CLR 501 Minister for Human Services and Health v Haddad (1996) 137 ALR 391 Mullally v The Queen [2001] WASCA 258 R v Murphy [1965] VR 187 Collis & Collis v The Queen (1989) 43 A Crim R 371 Haysdale Nominees Pty Ltd v Shepherd (1988) A Crim R 435 Hinton v O'Dea (19…
Kitchen v The Attorney-General of Victoria
[1989] HCATrans 55

…R 683 at 688, per Hope JA (Moffitt P agreeing); at 690, per Mahoney JA; Daire v Lauss (1984) 35 SASR 508; Attorney-General (SA) v Kitchen and Roberts (1989) 51 SASR 54; R v Miller [1990] 2 Qd R 566; cf R v Roberts-Smith (1977) 16 SASR 147; R v Freer (1979) 26 ACTR 26.) This is so even where the jury has formally ret…
Tihanyi v The Queen
[1999] WASCA 226

…) 43 A Crim R 347 R v Armstrong [1983] 35 SASR 356 R v Forde [1923] 2 KB 400 R v Murphy [1965] VR 187 Sagiv (1986) 22 A Crim R 73 Tihanyi v The Queen (1999) 21 WAR 377 Williams v Beverley (1998) 103 A Crim R 326 Wroblewski v Starling [1987] WAR 233…
[1923] 2 KB 400
[1923] 2 KB 400

…he King (1936) 66 CLR 499 Lars & De Fatima De Silva (1984) 73 A Crim R 91 Nevermann (1989) 43 A Crim R 347 R v Armstrong [1983] 35 SASR 356 R v Forde [1923] 2 KB 400 R v Murphy [1965] VR 187 Sagiv (1986) 22 A Crim R 73 Tihanyi v The Queen (1999) 21 WAR 377 Williams v Beverley (1998) 103 A Crim R 326 Wroblewski v S…
[1971] AC 481
[1971] AC 481

…te Stanton (1928) 28 SR (NSW) 516; R v Foley [1963] NSWR 1270. Whether on a trial by indictment or in summary proceedings: S v Recorder of Manchester [1971] AC 481. Followed in De Kruiff v Smith [1971] VR 761 at 765; Frodsham v O'Gorman [1979] 1 NSWLR 683 at 688, per Hope JA (Moffitt P agreeing); at 690, per Mah…
House v The King
63 WN 176

…VR 187 Collis & Collis v The Queen (1989) 43 A Crim R 371 Haysdale Nominees Pty Ltd v Shepherd (1988) A Crim R 435 Hinton v O'Dea (1977) 16 SASR 234 House v The King (1936) 66 CLR 499 Lars & De Fatima De Silva (1984) 73 A Crim R 91 Nevermann (1989) 43 A Crim R 347 R v Armstrong [1983] 35 SASR 356 R v Forde [1923] 2 KB 40…
[1902] 2 KB 339
[1902] 2 KB 339

…"The court has the power to allow a plea of guilty to be withdrawn at any time before sentence ( R v Plummer [1902] 2 KB 339; Ex parte Stanton (1928) 28 SR (NSW) 516; R v Foley [1963] NSWR 1270. Whether on a trial by indictment or in summary proceedings: S v Recorder of Manchester [1971] AC 481. Followed in De Kru…
[1971] 2 QB 291
[1971] 2 QB 291

…218 at 235). This is part of the inherent jurisdiction of courts to see that justice is done ( R v Mutford and Lothingland Justices; Ex parte Harber [1971] 2 QB 291 at 298) and some, if not most, of the decisions mentioned are explicable on the footing that, in the view of the court, the accused lacked full under…
[1985] 1 WLR 914
[1985] 1 WLR 914

…26 ACTR 26.) This is so even where the jury has formally returned a guilty verdict by direction following a change of plea by the accused ( R v Drew [1985] 1 WLR 914; [1985] 2 All ER 1061). A defective plea of guilty may be withdrawn and a conviction set aside ( R v Phillips and Lawrence [1967] Qd R 237 at 288-289…

Legislation cited in this decision · 2

Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth)
128A 2 mentions
Justices Act 1902 (NSW)
1 mention