Supreme Court dismisses appeal from High Court (O’Neill J) decision to refuse judicial review of District Court decision to convict the appellant of speeding offences on the grounds that the reasons given by the District judge to justify his decision were sufficient in the circumstances of the case.
Denham CJ (nem diss): appeal from High Court (O’Neill J) – appellant convicted in the District Court of speeding offences – appellant was granted leave to judicially review the decision of the District Court on the grounds that his conviction was contrary to national and constitutional justice and/or in breach of fair procedures – duty to give reasons - the extent to which the duty to give reasons applies may vary according to the nature of the decision and must be determined in all the circumstances of the case - the nature and ingredients of the offence in question are straightforward - context of the hearing in the District Court was clear - no requirement for the judge in such situations to elaborate the obvious - District Judge said that he was accepting the evidence of the prosecution