Sklavos v Australasian College of Dermatologists [2016] FCA 179

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Sklavos v Australasian College of Dermatologists [2016] FCA 179 File number(s): NSD 992 of 2013

Judge(s): JAGOT J

Date of judgment: 2 March 2016

Catchwords: HUMAN RIGHTS – Discrimination – Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) – direct and/or indirect discrimination – whether adjustments sought reasonable or imposed undue hardship – whether applicant treated less favourably – identification of relevant comparator – whether less favourable treatment upon basis of disability CONTRACTS – construction – incorporation of terms –whether contractual in nature – terms implied by law – whether breach of contract established NEGLIGENCE – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) – duty of care – special relationships and duties – whether duty to prevent psychiatric injury – standard of care – whether precautions could have been taken in disciplinary process – causation – pre-existing likelihood of developing injury. Held: Application dismissed

Legislation: Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) s 3, 46PO Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) ss 4-6, 11, 12, 19, 21A, 22, 27, 29, 32 Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth) s 3D Health Insurance Regulations 1975 (Cth) r 4, sch 4 Disability Standards for Education 2005 paras 5.2, 6.2 Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) ss 5-5E, 11A-14, 16, 27-29, 31, 32

Cases cited: Baltic Shipping Co v Dillon [1993] HCA 4; (1993) 176 CLR 344 Caltex Refineries (Qld) Pty Ltd v Stavar [2009] NSWCA 258; (2009) 75 NSWLR 649 Catholic Education Office v Clarke [2004] FCAFC 197; (2004) 138 FCR 121 CGU Workers Compensation (NSW) Ltd v Garcia [2007] NSWCA 193; (2007) 69 NSWLR 680 Commonwealth Bank v Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission [1997] FCA 1311; (1997) 80 FCR 78 Ermogenous v Greek Orthodox Community of SA Inc [2002] HCA 2; (2002) 209 CLR 95 Goldman Sachs JBWere Services Pty Limited v Nikolich [2007] FCAFC 120; (2007) 163 FCR 62 James v Royal Bank of Scotland [2015] NSWSC 243 Marmax Investments Pty Ltd v RPR Maintenance Pty Ltd [2015] FCAFC 127 Mount Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; (1970) 125 CLR 383 New South Wales v Seedsman [2000] NSWCA 119; (2000) 217 ALR 583 New South Wales v Spearpoint [2009] NSWCA 233 Nikolich v Goldman Sachs J B Were Services Pty Ltd [2006] FCA 784 Purvis v New South Wales [2003] HCA 62; (2003) 217 CLR 92 Riverwood International Australia Pty Ltd v McCormick [2000] FCA 889; (2000) 177 ALR 193 Romero v Farstad Shipping (Indian Pacific) Pty Ltd [2014] FCAFC 177; (2014) 231 FCR 403 Secured Income Real Estate (Australia) Ltd v St Martins Investments Pty Ltd [1979] HCA 51; (1979) 144 CLR 596 Shahid v Australasian College of Dermatologists [2008] FCAFC 72; (2008) 168 FCR 46 State of New South Wales v Paige [2002] NSWCA 235; (2002) 60 NSWLR 371 Strong v Woolworths Ltd t/as Big W [2012] HCA 5; (2012) 246 CLR 182 Sullivan v Moody [2001] HCA 59; (2001) 207 CLR 562 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 52; (2004) 219 CLR 165 Watts v Australian Postal Corporation [2014] FCA 370; (2014) 222 FCR 220 Wicks v State Rail Authority of New South Wales [2010] HCA 22; (2010) 241 CLR 60 Wong v Sklavos [2014] FCAFC 120; (2014) 319 ALR 378