[2018] NSWSC 1858
New South Wales Crime Commission v Nguyen
Pursuant to section 12(1)(b1) of the Criminal Assets Recovery Act 1990, Thi Hue Nguyen be examined on oath before a Registrar of the Court concerning the affairs of Thi Hue Nguyen, including the nature and location of any property in which Thi Hue Nguyen has an interest; leave is granted to the plaintiff to obtain from the Registry dates for the examinations order in Order 1; that the Crime Commission arrange and meet the expense of a Vietnamese interpreter to assist Mrs Nguyen at the examination.
Catchwords
PROCEDURE – proceedings for confiscation of property – application to examine spouse of defendant on oath concerning affairs of the defendant – appropriateness of ordering the Crime Commission to provide and bear costs of interpreter
Legislation cited
- Criminal Assets Recovery Act 1990 (NSW), § 12(1)(b1)
Judgment
- [1]
HER HONOUR: These are proceedings for confiscation brought by the New South Wales Crime Commission against Van Thuong Nguyen. The defendant has pleaded guilty to drug offences and is currently serving a term of imprisonment. By notice of motion filed 10 October 2018, the Crime Commission seeks an order pursuant to s 12(1)(b1) of the Criminal Assets Recovery Act 1990 (NSW) that his wife, Thi Hue Nguyen, be examined on oath before a registrar concerning her affairs, including the nature and location of any property in which she or the defendant has an interest.
- [2]
The basis for the application is that there is real property registered in the names of the both the defendant and Mrs Nguyen as joint tenants.
- [3]
Mrs Nguyen has appeared for herself this morning. She has indicated to me that she understands, at some level, the nature of the order sought but that she thinks it would be appropriate for her to have an interpreter to assist her at the examination. Having heard from her this morning, I am satisfied that is appropriate.
- [4]
Ordinarily in civil proceedings the parties must provide any interpreter required for the purpose of proceedings. That is in contrast with the position in criminal proceedings where, if an accused person or a witness called by the accused requires an interpreter, that is arranged by the Court.
- [5]
In my view, however, having regard to nature of these civil proceedings, in which the defendant and the respondent to the present application face forfeiture of their assets at the suit of the Crime Commission, effectively for the benefit of the State, it is appropriate that the Crime Commission provide and pay for the interpreter.
- [6]
Ms Santhikumar, who appears for the Crime Commission, has obtained instructions to consent to that course. Accordingly, I make the orders sought in the form of order handed up with the additional following order: that the Crime Commission arrange and meet the expense of a Vietnamese interpreter to assist Mrs Nguyen at the examination.