Judgment Summary - Supreme Court New South Wales Court of Appeal Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle v AA [2025] NSWCA 72 Bell CJ, Leeming JA, Ball JA In 2024, AA brought proceedings against the Trustees for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle alleging that the Trustees had been negligent, had breached [...]
Physical Abuse – Hartnett v Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes (No 7) By Walter Zhuang Background The plaintiff, Mr Albert Hartnett, claimed damages for personal injury in relation to “serious physical abuse” allegedly inflicted on him by two members of school staff while he was an student at Saint [...]
Childhood sexual abuse can have long-lasting effects on an individual's mental health, with anxiety being one of the most common consequences. In Australia, efforts are being made to address and treat anxiety arising from childhood sexual abuse, providing support and healing for survivors. Anxiety is a natural response to trauma, and survivors often experience heightened [...]
Author: Walter Zhang BackgroundThe facts in this case are relatively simple. A four-year-old boy was severely injured by a State Transit Authority (STA) bus, resulting in the amputation of his right foot. The STA admitted liability and this was not in dispute. However, the question before the Court related to which piece of legislation governed [...]
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterised by intense emotional instability, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and a distorted self-image. Individuals with BPD often experience rapid changes in mood and struggle with feelings of emptiness and fear of abandonment. The disorder is typically diagnosed in early adulthood and can significantly impair an [...]
In the realm of legal services, financial concerns often deter individuals from seeking justice or pursuing claims. This is where contingent cost agreements, also known as "no win, no fee" arrangements, come into play. These agreements have revolutionised access to legal representation, particularly in personal injury, employment, and consumer rights cases. In this blog, we [...]
Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is a complex disorder that can occur after a person has sustained a concussion, which is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). While most individuals recover from a concussion within a few days to weeks, some may experience lingering symptoms that can affect their quality of life for months or even [...]
Bird v DP (A pseudonym) - High Court of Australia 2024 The High Court has delivered its judgment in this case, which has been eagerly awaited by lawyers, institutions and insurers involved in the abuse law space. This decision of the High Court in this case will extensively impact the rights of abuse survivors. [...]
The respondent, Ms Marmara, was injured when a heavy oversized box containing a mountain bike fell on her from another customer’s standard size shopping trolley at a Kmart store in Woy Woy. Ms Mamara was at the self-serve checkout, when the large box toppled onto her from behind, from another shoppers trolley. Ms Marmara brought [...]
Childhood sexual abuse can have long-lasting effects on survivors, including an increased risk of experiencing domestic violence in adulthood. The connection between childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence is complex and multifaceted, with several factors contributing to this link. Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence later [...]