R v Al Batat & Ors (No 14) [2020] NSWSC 1165

R v Al Batat & Ors (No 14) [2020] NSWSC 1165

The listening device evidence is inadmissible because the probative value is substantially diminished by uncertainties and inconsistencies in the translation, and is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice and the risk of misleading or confusing the jury. Therefore, exclusion is mandated under s 137 and, in the alternative, s 135 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW).

Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
31 August 2020
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Pre Trial Ruling on Admissibility of Evidence
Outcome
listening device evidence excluded as inadmissible
Legal Topics
['admissibility of Evidence' 'translation Discrepancies' 'unfair Prejudice' 'probative Value' 'listening Device Evidence']

Case Brief

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Procedural Posture

Criminal / Pre Trial Ruling on Admissibility of Evidence

  1. 1 ['Whether the recorded listening device evidence is admissible given translation discrepancies and potential unfair prejudice under s 135 and s 137 of Evidence Act 1995 (NSW)']

Ratio Decidendi

The listening device evidence is inadmissible because the probative value is substantially diminished by uncertainties and inconsistencies in the translation, and is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice and the risk of misleading or confusing the jury. Therefore, exclusion is mandated under s 137 and, in the alternative, s 135 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW).

Court Disposition

listening device evidence excluded as inadmissible

Orders

  • ['The listening device recorded on 4 May 2017 at 00:52:15 under warrant SD 17/0185 is inadmissible.']