State of New South Wales v Harlum [2007] NSWCA 120

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: State of New South Wales v Harlum [2007] NSWCA 120

HEARING DATE(S): 23 March 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 25 May 2007

JUDGMENT OF: Beazley JA at 1; Tobias JA at 100; Basten JA at 109

DECISION: 1. Leave to appeal granted; 2. Appeal dismissed with costs.

CATCHWORDS: STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS – extension of limitation period – suspension of limitation period as a result of disability under s 52 of the Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) – respondent substantially impaired in management of affairs in relation to cause of action by reason of mental condition – respondent suffering from major depressive illness - respondent unable to reason normally about various aspects involved in bringing a claim

Crown Proceedings Act 1988 (NSW) Law Reform (Vicarious Liability) Act 1983 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED: Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) ss 11(3)(b), 13, 14(1)(b), 18A, 52 Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW) Supreme Court Act 1970 (NSW) ss 75A, 101 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) Pt 28

Azshion v North Coast Area Health Service [2006] NSWSC 769 Harnett v Fisher [1927] AC 573 Hawkins v Clayton (1988) 164 CLR 539 Kotulski v Attard [1981] 1 NSWLR 115 Olive v Johnstone [2006] NSWCA 21 CASES CITED: State of New South Wales v Julianne Higgins bht David Benedict O'Shea; Barnardos Australia v Julianne Higgins [2005] NSWCA 244 State of New South Wales v Mulcahy [2006] NSWCA 303 Stingel v Clark (2006) 80 ALJR 1339 Stubbings v Webb [1993] AC 498 The State of New South Wales v Bennie [2005] NSWCA 172 Walsmley v Cosentino [2001] NSWCA 403