Chambers v Northern Coast Area Health Service [2005] NSWSC 833

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Chambers v Northern Coast Area Health Service [2005] NSWSC 833

HEARING DATE(S) : 16/08/2005, 17/08/2005

JUDGMENT DATE : 22 August 2005

JUDGMENT OF : Hoeben J at 1

DECISION : Leave is granted to the plaintiff to file an Amended Statement of Claim in accordance with the document filed on 17 August 2005; Pursuant to s60C of the Limitation Act 1969 (as amended) the limitation period for the filing of the Statement of Claim is extended to 14 September 2004; The plaintiff is to pay the defendant's costs of the application.

CATCHWORDS : Limitation Act - Statement of Claim not disclosing cause of action - futility of extension of time - whether actual prejudice - effect of availability of alternative action against former solicitors.

Civil Liability Amendment Act 2003 Compensation to Relatives Act 1897 LEGISLATION CITED : Limitation Act 1969 Mental Health Act 1990

Birkett v James [1978] AC 297 Commonwealth v McLean (1997) 41 NSWLR 389 Diaz v Truong (2002) 37 MVR 158 Graham Barclay Oysters Pty Limited & Anor v Ryan (2002) 211 CLR 540 Holt v Wynter (2000) 49 NSWLR 128 Hunter Area Health Service & Anor v Presland [2005] NSWCA 33 CASES CITED : Morrison v Judd (NSWCA, unreported, 10 October, 1995) Parsons v Doukis (2001) 52 NSWLR 163 Purkess v Crittenden (1965) 114 CLR 164 Salido v Nominal Defendant (1993) 32 NSWLR 524 Sydney City Council v Zegarac (1998) 43 NSWLR 195 Watts v Rake (1960) 108 CLR 148