6 Jun 2024
The evidence did not permit the court to draw the sole reasonable inference that the appellant permitted the vehicle to be used without a licence and third‑party insurance; handing keys and informing the custodian of lack of documents alone are insufficient to convict, therefore the convictions cannot stand.
17 May 1989
Given accepted facts that appellant was ill and the passenger both suggested and took over driving, the passenger's words and actions gave the appellant reasonable grounds to believe she held a licence; such a reasonable honest belief constitutes a 'special reason' under s.4(2)(a) permitting reduction of the statutory minimum disqualification, and the disqualification was reduced from 12 months to 6 months.
29 Sept 1977
Withdrawal of proceedings against the owner would deprive the insurer of an opportunity to litigate issues central to its pecuniary liability (permission/agency and quantum); in the interest of justice and to hear the full merits in one action the insurer (Mutual Underwriters Limited) should be joined as a defendant, notwithstanding authorities on waiver, and subject to consequences if it later elects to step into the insured's shoes.