NSW Court of Appeal addresses obvious risks in horse racing

In a judgment delivered on 23 July 2020, the NSW Court of Appeal has addressed the nature of obvious risks involved in horse racing using a broad interpretation of s. 5L of the Civil Liability Act. In this article, Charles Simon and Patrick Thompson explain how this decision helps clarify key definitional questions and provides […]

NSW Court of Appeal declines to stay historic abuse matter

On 19 February 2020, the NSW Court of Appeal further clarified its position on granting a permanent stay of proceedings that involve allegations of historical child abuse in Gorman v McKnight [2020] NSWCA 20. Following the Court’s recent decisions regarding this issue in Moubarak bht v Holt and Council of Trinity Grammar School v Anderson, […]

Tragic jetty fall case tests many civil liability issues

Polglase v Coffs Harbour City Council (No 2) [2019] NSWSC 1848 On 19 December 2019, the NSW Supreme Court gave judgment in a complex case involving multiple defendants, which followed a tragic accident involving a young child who fell from a jetty. Wotton Kearney acted for the State of NSW in its successful defence of […]

NSW Court of Appeal grants permanent stay for institutional defendant

On 9 December 2019, the NSW Court of Appeal granted a permanent stay of proceedings, as sought by an institutional defendant in a matter involving historic child sexual abuse claims. This decision confirms there is scope to obtain a permanent stay where the lack of evidence would unfairly prejudice the defendant. In this article, Meisha […]

$3.5+ million in damages awarded in child sexual abuse case

In this case, Judge Fagan of the NSW Supreme Court assessed damages for a man who suffered a psychological injury following historic child sexual abuse. As a result of the abuse, the plaintiff suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, medication-related obesity and other related health issues. The defendant had previously plead guilty to related […]

NSW Court of Appeal stays proceedings in historic child sexual abuse claim

The NSW Court of Appeal has ruled that there is scope for defendants, in the context of historic child sexual abuse claims, to apply to permanently stay proceedings on the basis of inability to obtain a fair trial, even though such claims are no longer statute barred under the Limitation Act 1969 (NSW). The circumstances […]