Coat v Aves (Pseudonyms) [2023] NSWDC 560

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Coat v Aves (Pseudonyms) [2023] NSWDC 560 Hearing dates: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 September, 11 October, 14 & 27 November 2023 Date of orders: 14 December 2023 Decision date: 14 December 2023 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Acting Judge Levy SC Decision: 1. Verdict and judgment for the defendant; 2. The plaintiff is to pay the defendant's costs on the ordinary basis unless a party can show an entitlement to some other costs order; 3. The exhibits may be returned; 4. The non-publication order made on 18 September 2023 is to remain in place until the further order of the Court; 5. Liberty to apply for further or other orders if required. Catchwords: TORTS – intentional torts – claim by plaintiff of historical child sexual assault by defendant stepfather – denial by defendant – consideration of conflicting evidence – verdict and judgment for the defendant Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), s 61M(2) Defamation Act 2005 (NSW), s 12A Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), s 55, s 56, s 60, s 64, s 66A, s 108(3)(b), s 128, s 140 Family Law Act 1975 (Cwth), s 121 UCPR r 31.27(1)(c); Sch 7, cl 5(c) Cases Cited: Angel v Hawkesbury Council [2008] NSWCA 130 Blacktown City Council v Hocking [2008] NSWCA 144 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336; [1938] HCA 34 Brodie v Singleton Shire Council; Ghantous v Hawkesbury Shire Council (2001) CLR 512; [2001] HCA 29 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Dare v Pulham (1982) 1948 CLR 658; [1982] HCA 70 Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar (2011) 243 CLR 588; [2011] HCA 21 Goode v Angland [2017] NSWCA 311 Hasler v Singtel Optus Pty Ltd & Ors [2014] NSWCA 266 Helton v Allen (1940) 63 CLR 691; [1940] HCA 20; HG v The Queen (1999) 197 CLR 414; [1999] HCA 2 Larson v Commissioner of Police [2004] NSWCA 126 Longman v R (1989) 168 CLR 79; [1989] HCA 60 M v M (1988) 166 CLR 69; [1988] HCA 68 Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705; [2001] NSWCA 305 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Naxakis v Western General Hospital (1999) 197 CLR 269; [1999] HCA 22 Paric v John Holland Constructions Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 58 Pell v The Queen [2020] HCA 12 R v XY (2010) 79 NSWLR 629; [2010] NSWCA 181 State Rail Authority of New South Wales v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (In Liq) & Ors [1999] HCA 3 Strinic v Singh [2009] NSWCA 15 The Queen v Bauer (a pseudonym) [2018] HCA 40 Twynam Agricultural Group Pty Ltd v Williams [2012] NSWCA 326 Warren v Gittoes [2009] NSWCA 24 Watson v Foxman [1995] 49 NSWLR 315 Yarrabee Coal Company Pty Ltd & Anor v Lujans [2009] NSWCA 85 Texts Cited: Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings (1996) Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ms Coat (a pseudonym) (Plaintiff) Mr Aves (a pseudonym) (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: