The Queen v. Beckett

Lower Court Judgment

12/12/2014 Supreme Court of New South Wales (Court of Criminal Appeal) (Beazley P, Humle J, Bellew J)

[2014] NSWCCA 305

Catchwords

Criminal law – Particular offences – Offences relating to the administration of justice – Perverting the course of justice – Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 319 - Where respondent was questioned about a property transfer she had stamped without receiving the duty – Where respondent obtained two bank cheques for the property and altered photocopies so that the cheques appeared to pre-date the transfer – Where respondent gave false evidence under oath – Where respondent was charged with perverting the course of justice – Whether offence to pervert the course of justice only applies to conduct committed after judicial proceedings have commenced – Whether course of justice within the meaning of s 319 requires that the jurisdiction of a court or competent judicial tribunal has been invoked.

Short Particulars