Behsman v Ansell [1957] HCA 79; (1957) 98 CLR 284 (22 November 1957)

HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BEHSMAN v. ANSELL [1957] HCA 79; (1957) 98 CLR 284

Children's Court (W.A.)

High Court of Australia
Dixon C.J.(1), Webb(1) and Kitto(1) JJ.

CATCHWORDS

Children's Court (W.A.) - Validity of constitution - Appointment of magistrates by ambulatory class description - Exclusive jurisdiction - "Offences committed . . . against children" - Crime of incest - Whether such an offence - Criminal Code (W.A.), s. 197 - Child Welfare Act 1947-1955 (W.A.) (No. 66 of 1947 - No. 45 of 1955), ss. 19 (1), 20 (a).

HEARING

Perth, 1957, September 18;
Sydney, 1957, November 22. 22:11:1957

DECISION

Dowson v. McGrath (1956) 58 WALR 27
Ellis v. Bourke (1889) 15 VLR 163
Troy v. Wrigglesworth [1919] HCA 31; (1919) 26 CLR 305
John Sanderson & Co. v. Crawford (1915) VLR 568
Presley v. Geraghty [1921] HCA 7; (1921) 29 CLR 154