The expression 'the administration of law' in s 312 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) extends only to the administration of civil and criminal law by courts and tribunals, not to the exercise by government agencies of their functions in applying and enforcing the law. Accordingly, conduct intended to obstruct the Probation and Parole Service's administration of community service orders does not, without more, constitute perverting the course of justice under s 319. However, where such conduct is directed at misleading a court in pending proceedings, it falls within s 319. A CAN for perverting the course of justice should particularise the specific course of justice intended to be perverted.
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