HUNTER AREA HEALTH SERVICE & ANOR v PRESLAND [2005] NSWCA 33

Reported Decision : 63 NSWLR 22

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: HUNTER AREA HEALTH SERVICE & ANOR v PRESLAND [2005] NSWCA 33

HEARING DATE(S): 15 November 2004, 16 November 2004, 17 November 2004

JUDGMENT DATE: 21 April 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Spigelman CJ at 1; Sheller JA at 103; Santow JA at 309

DECISION: 1 Appeal allowed; 2 Set aside the verdict and judgment for the plaintiff; 3 In lieu thereof verdict and judgment for the defendants; 4 The plaintiff to pay the defendants' costs of the trial and of the appeal but to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951, if so entitled.

CATCHWORDS: NEGLIGENCE - duty of care - nature and content of duty of care owed to psychiatric patient - Mental Health Act 1900 - ex turpi causa non actio - public policy - causation

Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) Fatal Accidents Act 1975 LEGISLATION CITED: Mental Health (Criminal Procedure) Act 1990 Mental Health Act 1990

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