The King v ZTCitation:[2025] HCA 9Before:Gageler CJ, Gordon, Edelman, Steward, Gleeson, Jagot, Beech-Jones JJDate:02 Apr 2025Case Number:S38/2024Read more

The King v ZTCitation:[2025] HCA 9Before:Gageler CJ, Gordon, Edelman, Steward, Gleeson, Jagot, Beech-Jones JJDate:02 Apr 2025Case Number:S38/2024Read more

The Court held that the Court of Criminal Appeal erred by not listening to or viewing the recordings of principal evidence, as this was necessary to properly assess whether the jury's verdict was unreasonable or could not be supported by the evidence.

Parties
Appellant: The King; Respondent: ZT
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
02 April 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Appeals, Recorded Evidence, Reasonable Doubt, Appellate Function

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

The King

Appellant

ZT

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Court of Criminal Appeal erred by not viewing or listening to recordings of principal evidence when determining reasonable doubt
  2. 2 Whether failure to listen to or view principal evidence constituted a failure to discharge appellate function as described in M v The Queen (1994) 181 CLR 487

Ratio Decidendi

The Court held that the Court of Criminal Appeal erred by not listening to or viewing the recordings of principal evidence, as this was necessary to properly assess whether the jury's verdict was unreasonable or could not be supported by the evidence.

Court Disposition

appeal allowed

Orders

  • The judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeal is set aside.
  • The matter is remitted for reconsideration with the requirement to listen to or view the principal evidence recordings.