Fields v Trustees of the Marist Brothers [2022] NSWSC 739

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Fields v Trustees of the Marist Brothers [2022] NSWSC 739 Hearing dates: 11 May 2021 Date of orders: 10 June 2022 Decision date: 10 June 2022 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Garling J Decision: See [123] Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE — stay of proceedings — claim for damages for alleged sexual abuse in 1966 — where alleged perpetrator died before applicant on notice of allegation — where no other witnesses to alleged assault or management of the school — where no relevant documentary records — no meaningful opportunity for applicant to investigate or challenge alleged sexual abuse — no meaningful opportunity for applicant to investigate or challenge issues of vicarious liability — stay ordered Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 s 67 Limitation Act 1969 s 6A National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 (Cth) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 r 13.4 Cases Cited: Batistatos v Roads & Traffic Authority of New South Wales (2006) 226 CLR 256; [2006] HCA 27 Moubarak by his tutor Coorey v Holt (2019) 100 NSWLR 218; [2019] NSWCA 102 New South Wales v Lepore (2003) 212 CLR 511; [2003] HCA 4 Newcastle City Council v Batistatos; Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW v Batistatos [2005] NSWCA 20 Prince Alfred College Inc v ADC (2016) 258 CLR 134; [2016] HCA 37 The Council of Trinity Grammar School v Anderson (2019) 101 NSWLR 762; [2019] NSWCA 292 The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Archdiocese of Lismore v GLJ [2022] NSWCA 78 Texts Cited: Not Applicable Category: Procedural rulings Parties: Paul Edward Fields (P) Trustees of the Marist Brothers (D) Representation: Counsel: P Tierney (P) N Polin SC (D)