Walter v State of New South Wales [2000] NSWSC 237

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Walter v State of New South Wales [2000] NSWSC 237 CURRENT JURISDICTION: Common Law FILE NUMBER(S) : SC 20221/98 HEARING DATE(S) : 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9 March 2000 JUDGMENT DATE : 15 March 2000

PARTIES : Patricia Anne Walter (Plaintiff) The State of New South Wales (Defendant) JUDGMENT OF : O'Keefe J

COUNSEL : Ms Dixie Coulton - For plaintiff Mr Greg Laughton - For defendant I V Knight State Crown Solicitor 60 - 70 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY N S W 2000 SOLICITORS :

George Sten & Co 359 Chapel Road BANKSTOWN N S W 2200 CATCHWORDS : Extension of time for bringing action - Gateway, bar - Discretion - Principles for exercise of discretion - Just and reasonable - Fair trial of action - Prejudice - factors to consider - Public interest - Equitable claim - Laches - Amendment Limitation Act 1969, s.14, s.23, s.60G; s.60I Child Welfare Act, 1939 ss5, 9, 10, 23, 28, 158 LEGISLATION CITED : Children (Care and Protection) Act, 1987 Claims Against the Government and Crown Suits Act, 1912, s.4 Crown Proceedings Act, 1988, s.9 Supreme Court Rules Part 15 R 22; Part 20 R 2 Commonwealth v McLean (1997) 41 NSWLR 389 Brisbane South Regional Authority v Taylor (1996) 186 CLR 541 Sydney City Council v Zegarac (1998) 43 NSWLR 195 at 199-200 Cowie v State Electricity Commission (Vic) (1964) VR 788 at 793 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor (supra at 551) Barker v Wingo (1972) 407 US 514 at 532 Johnson v DOCS (1999) NSWSC 1156 (paras 88,100) CASES CITED : TC v State of New South Wales (Supreme Court of New South Wales, unreported, 11 February 1999) Williams v The Minister (1994) 35 NSWLR 497 Roberts v Hopwood [1925] AC 578 at 603 Lamont v Wyong Shire Council (New South Wales Supreme Court, unreported, 13 December 1991) Main Developments Pty Ltd v Rockdale Municipal Council (1992) 79 LGERA 30 O'Grady v Botany Wools (Aust) (1964) SR 359 at 364 Boyns v Lackey (1958) 58 SR (NSW) 395 Life Assurance of Scotland v Siddal (1861) 45 ER 800 at 806 Lindsay Petroleum Co v Hurd (1874) LR 5PC 221 at 239-240 DECISION : Extension of time refused.; Amendment to Statement of Claim refused.; No order as to costs.