Locklier v State of New South Wales [2009] NSWSC 746

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Locklier v State of New South Wales [2009] NSWSC 746

HEARING DATE(S) : 23 and 24 July 2009

JUDGMENT DATE : 3 August 2009

JUDGMENT OF : Davies J

DECISION : 1. The Plaintiff's Notice of Motion is dismissed. 2. The Plaintiff is to pay the Defendant's costs of the Notice of Motion.

CATCHWORDS : LIMITATION OF ACTIONS - postponement of the bar - extension of period - claim for damages for physical and psychiatric injuries sustained at State run homes 1970 to 1974 - Plaintiff claims repressed memories did not return until recently - when Plaintiff became aware of matters for purposes of s 60I Limitation Act 1969 - whether just and reasonable to extend the limitation period pursuant to s 60G - many witnesses dead or unable to give evidence - multiple causes for Plaintiff's psychiatric injuries - periods of unexplained delays since recovery of memories.

LEGISLATION CITED : Child Welfare Act 1939 Limitation Act 1969

Allen v Drayton Coal Pty Ltd [1995] NSWCA 14 BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd v Lakovski [2000] NSWCA 334 Ciantar v State of New South Wales [2008] NSWSC 191 CRA Limited v Martignago (1996) 39 NSWLR 13 Dedousis v The Water Board (1994) 181 CLR 171 CASES CITED : Dow Corning Australia Pty Ltd v Paton (unreported, Court of Appeal, 24 April 1998) Drayton Coal Pty Ltd v Drain (unreported, Court of Appeal, 22 August 1985) F J Walker Ltd v Webber (unreported, NSW Court of Appeal, 16 November 1989 Harris v Commercial Minerals Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 1 Holt v Wynter (2000) 49 NSWLR 128 Saffioti v The Estate of the Late Dr Bailey (unreported, Supreme Court of NSW, 28 November 1995)