Van Haren v Van Ryn [2023] NSWSC 776

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Van Haren v Van Ryn [2023] NSWSC 776 Hearing dates: 5 July 2023 Date of orders: 5 July 2023 Decision date: 05 July 2023 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Chen J Decision: (1) Verdict and judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $1,416,829.85. (2) Order the defendant to pay the plaintiff's costs of the proceedings. Catchwords: TORTS – trespass to the person – assault and battery – historical sexual misconduct – claim for damages due to psychiatric harm – turns on its own facts TORTS – trespass to the person – damages – whether defendant's conduct displayed contumelious disregard of the plaintiff's rights – aggravated and exemplary damages awarded Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: A v Hoare [2008] AC 844 AA v PD [2022] NSWSC 1039 ACN 087 528 774 Pty Ltd v Chetcuti (2008) 21 VR 559; [2008] VSCA 274 Allianz Australia Insurance Limited v Kerr (2012) 83 NSWLR 302; [2012] NSWCA 13 Backwell v AAA [1997] 1 VR 182 Binsaris v Northern Territory (2020) 270 CLR 549; [2020] HCA 22 Boughey v The Queen (1986) 161 CLR 10; [1986] HCA 29 Carter v Walker (2010) 32 VR 1; [2010] VSCA 340 Collins v Wilcock [1984] 1 WLR 1172 Croucher v Cachia (2016) 95 NSWLR 117; [2016] NSWCA 132 Cullen v Trappell (1980) 146 CLR 1; [1980] HCA 10 Graham v Baker (1961) 106 CLR 340; [1961] HCA 48 Hall v Fonceca [1983] WAR 309 John XXIII College v SMA [2022] ACTCA 32 Lamb v Cotogno (1987) 164 CLR 1; [1987] HCA 47 Leichhardt Municipal Council v Montgomery [2005] NSWCA 432 MBP (SA) Pty Ltd v Gogic (1991) 171 CLR 657; [1991] HCA 3 Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission (1995) 182 CLR 1; [1995] HCA 5 Metropolitan Meat Industry Board v Williams (1991) 24 NSWLR 54 New South Wales v Ibbett (2006) 229 CLR 638; [2006] HCA 57 Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201 Ramsey v Denton [2021] NSWCA 310 Rixon v Star City Pty Limited (2001) 53 NSWLR 98; [2001] NSWCA 265 Snell v State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training) (2022) 404 ALR 1; [2022] FCA 5 State of New South Wales v Abed (2014) 246 A Crim R 549; [2014] NSWCA 419 State of New South Wales v Zreika [2012] NSWCA 37 State of NSW v Delly (2007) 70 NSWLR 125; [2007] NSWCA 303 State of NSW v Moss (2000) 54 NSWLR 536; [2000] NSWCA 133 United Group Resources Pty Ltd v Calabro (No 5) (2011) 198 FCR 514; [2011] FCA 1408 Whittaker v Child Support Registrar [2009] FCA 188 XL Petroleum (NSW) Pty Ltd v Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd (1985) 155 CLR 448; [1985] HCA 12 Texts Cited: Carolyn Sappideen and Prue Vines (eds), Fleming's The Law of Torts (10th ed, 2011, Thomson Reuters) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Edan Van Haren (plaintiff) Maurice Van Ryn (defendant) (self-represented) Representation: Counsel: R Di Michiel (plaintiff) Solicitors: Premier Compensation Lawyers (plaintiff) File Number(s): 2022/36479 Publication restriction: Nil