The state's top court has overturned a decision awarding $3000 to a Sydney commuter who was stopped by police for four minutes to check his Opal card, after the three-judge bench rejected a finding that this amounted to false imprisonment.

Sam Le, 24, was approached by two police officers at Liverpool train station in January last year and asked to produce his Opal card and pensioner concession card, along with photo identification.

He was told he was not under arrest but was "not leaving" until the officers had verified his identity.

After four minutes and 15 seconds waiting on the platform while police conducted a radio check, Mr Le was told he was "free to go".