Taylor v The Queen; Minogue v The Queen

These applications for special leave to appeal concerned the applicants, Taylor and Minogue, who sought to challenge convictions returned against them. The applications were heard together by the High Court of Australia due to their related nature.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the applicants had suffered a miscarriage of justice due to the admission of evidence at their joint trial that was inadmissible against them and highly prejudicial. Specifically, it was argued that this inadmissible evidence influenced the verdicts returned against the applicant, Taylor. A further point of general importance raised concerned the appropriateness of an appellate court considering certain grounds of appeal.

The Court expressed significant dissatisfaction with the late filing of a supplementary summary of argument, noting that it altered the focus of the hearing and undermined the Court's preparation. Counsel for the applicant, Taylor, accepted responsibility for this, attributing the change in emphasis and approach to a change of counsel. The argument presented was that the joint trial resulted in the jury being exposed to evidence that, while inadmissible against Taylor, was highly prejudicial and ultimately affected the verdicts.