Reece and Leverhalle

The Honourable Justice Cronin considered an application concerning the potential disqualification of an interstate judge. The specific nature of the dispute and the parties involved, beyond the reference to "Reece and Leverhalle," are not detailed in the provided text.

The central legal issue before the court was whether the appearance of bias would disqualify the interstate judge from hearing the matter. This involved considering established categories of disqualification, specifically disqualification by association and disqualification by extraneous information.

Justice Cronin referred to the principles articulated by Deane J in *Webb v R* regarding disqualification by association, which arises from relationships or experiences with interested parties. He also noted Deane J's comments on disqualification by extraneous information, where knowledge of prejudicial but inadmissible facts creates an apprehension of bias. The court applied a two-step process, endorsed by the Full Court in *Strahan and Strahan*, requiring identification of the matters giving rise to apprehended bias and then assessing the logical connection between those matters and a potential deviation from deciding the case on its merits. The court emphasised the judicial duty to sit and not to accede too readily to suggestions of bias.

Consequently, the court ordered that the application for the appointment of the interstate judge and the determination of any priority be adjourned to open court for hearing. The parties were also directed to file and exchange written arguments by a specified date prior to the hearing.