MXS2 v Georges River Grammar School [2023] NSWSC 529

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: MXS2 v Georges River Grammar School [2023] NSWSC 529 Hearing dates: 28 April 2023 Date of orders: 18 May 2023 Decision date: 18 May 2023 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Schmidt AJ Decision: That the proceedings be permanently stayed. Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE — Application for permanent stay of proceedings concerning alleged assault and sexual abuse of plaintiff by former teacher — no applicable limitation period — relevant principles — consequences of delay — where no complaint made about alleged perpetrator before his death — where relevant documents unavailable — where other relevant witness has died — whether discretion should be exercised — Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), s 67 — Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), r 2.1 — proceedings stayed LIMITATION OF ACTIONS — Torts — child abuse — whether proceedings should be permanently stayed — Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), s 6A Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW), ss 56, 67 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 140 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), s 6A Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW), rr 2.1 42.1 Cases Cited: Anderson v The Council of Trinity Grammar School [2018] NSWSC 1633 Batistatos v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales (2006) 226 CLR 256; [2006] HCA 27 Brigenshaw v Brigenshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336; [1938] HCA 34 BTM1 v Scout Association of Australia New South Wales Branch [2023] NSWSC 431 Jago v District Court of New South Wales (1989) 168 CLR 23; [1989] HCA 46 Moubarak bht Coorey v Holt (2019) 100 NSWLR 218; [2019] NSWCA 102 New South Wales v Lepore (2003) 212 CLR 511; [2003] HCA 4 Prince Alfred College Inc v ADC (2016) 258 CLR 134; [2016] HCA 37 R v Presser [1958] VR 45 R v Rivkin (2004) 59 NSWLR 284; [2004] NSWCCA 7 Smith v The Council of Trinity Grammar School [2021] NSWSC 1592 Smith v The Council of Trinity Grammar School [2022] NSWCA 93 State of New South Wales v Plaintiff A [2012] NSWCA 248 The Council of Trinity Grammar School v Anderson (2019) 101 NSWLR 762; [2019] NSWCA 292 The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Lismore v GLJ [2022] NSWCA 78 Category: Procedural rulings Parties: MXS2 (Plaintiff) Georges River Grammar School (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr J Turnbull SC (Plaintiff) Mr T Meakes (Plaintiff) Mr D Villa SC (Defendant) Mr J Sleight (Defendant)