Blessed v Western Sydney Local Health District [2024] NSWSC 871

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Blessed v Western Sydney Local Health District [2024] NSWSC 871 Hearing dates: 2 May 2024 Date of orders: 05 August 2024 Decision date: 05 August 2024 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Walton J Decision: (1) Dismiss orders (1), (2), (3), (5) and (6), of the Notice of Motion dated 16 April 2024. (2) Grant order (4) of the Notice of Motion dated 16 April 2024 that the plaintiff's Amended Statement of Claim filed 15 September 2022 be struck out. (3) The litigant shall be referred to the Registrar for referral to a barrister or solicitor on the Pro Bono Panel for legal assistance. (4) Each party shall pay their own costs. Catchwords: CIVIL PROCEDURE – summary dismissal sought under UCPR rr 13.4(1)(c), 12.7 and 15.16 – underlying cause of action in tort for assault – more than a fanciful prospect of success – no intentional or contumelious default – complex proceedings involving involuntary admission under the Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW) – motion dismissed – order for referral to Registrar for Pro Bono legal assistance Legislation Cited: Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW) Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Cases Cited: Cox v Journeaux (No 2) (1935) 52 CLR 713; [1935] HCA 48 Dickens v New South Wales (No 3) [2018] NSWSC 485 Garzo v Liverpool/Campbelltown Christian School Limited [2011] NSWSC 292 General Steel Industries Inc v Cmr for Railways (NSW) (1964) 112 CLR 125; [1964] HCA 69 Hoser v Hartcher [1999] NSWSC 527 Leerdam v Noori [2009] NSWCA 90; (2009) 255 ALR 553 Lin v New South Wales [2024] NSWSC 77 McGuirk v The University of New South Wales [2009] NSWSC 1424 Mills v Dunpec Pty Ltd [2024] NSWSC 340 New South Wales v A [2012] NSWCA 248 O'Brien v Bank of Western Australia Ltd [2013] NSWCA 71 Pagett v The Sydney Children's Hospital Network; Kenny v The Sydney Children's Hospital Network [2024] NSWSC 292 Pigozzo v Mineral Resources Ltd [2022] FCA 1166 PQ v Law Society of New South Wales (No 5) [2021] NSWSC 463 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Robyn B Blessed (Plaintiff) Western Sydney Local Health District (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: