Howard v Surf Life Saving Australia NSW [2019] NSWSC 1212 (13 September 2019)

In this matter, Greg Walsh acted for the Plaintiff, Graham Howard, a long serving member of the North Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

Mr Howard had been subject to allegations of misconduct which was the subject of an investigation and disciplinary hearing.

He was suspended for two years.

Justice Pembroke, of the Supreme Court, heard the case and determined that there was a wholesale failure of the Judiciary Committee to comply with its own regulations. The Committee had also failed to provide Mr Howard with basic information which he was entitled to on grounds of procedural fairness. The unfairness of Surf Life Saving NSW was revealed in the course of the hearing by the Judicia Committee as observed by His Honour at paragraph [19] of the judgement.

The decision of the Judiciary Committee was set aside and the Defendant was ordered to pay costs.