"A" bht "S" v State of NSW [2011] NSWDC 54

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: "A" bht "S" v State of NSW [2011] NSWDC 54 Hearing dates: 15, 16 & 23 June 2011 Decision date: 01 July 2011 Jurisdiction: Civil Before: Levy SC DCJ Decision: 1.Non-publication orders are made with respect to the names and identification details of the plaintiff "A", his tutor "S", the solicitors "CSO 1", "CSO 2", "CSO 3", "S1" and "Dr A", "Dr B", "Dr C" and "Dr D"; 2.Each of the motions filed by the defendant seeking to dismiss, or alternatively, to stay the plaintiff's proceedings, are dismissed; 3.The costs of the dismissed motions are to be costs in the cause; 4.The exhibits may be returned; 5.I will hear the parties before making case management directions; 6.Liberty to apply on 7 days notice if further orders are required; 7.I order that the document marked "MFI 3" be placed in a sealed envelope which is not to be opened except by, or at the order of a Judge of this court, or by a Judge of the Court of Appeal on a review of this order . Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE - applications by defendant in each of two proceedings brought by plaintiff seeking damages for breach of duty of care - defendant seeking to either dismiss or permanently stay the plaintiff's proceedings pursuant to UCPR r 12.7 - claim of prejudice due to effluxion of time resulting in a claimed inability to defend the proceedings - death of a witness from natural causes, unwillingness of four expert witnesses to give evidence on damages issues due to alleged threats by plaintiff - substantial delays occurring in the litigation before recent appointment of a tutor - whether the relief sought is justified in the circumstances - whether names of judicial officer and counsel should be the subject of non-publication orders - requirements of open justice - whether non-publication order relating to plaintiff and expert witnesses in the plaintiff's case is justified Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002, s 5D Civil Procedure Act 2005, ss 56, 57, 58, 72 Crown Proceedings Act 1988, s 5 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, s 50 Mental Health Act 1990, s 29 Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 Protected Estates Act 1983 Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005, r 12.7 Cases Cited: Aon Risk Services Australia Limited v Australian National University [2009] HCA 27 Australian Broadcasting Commission v Parish (1980) 29 ALR 228 Batistatos v RTA & Anor [2006] HCA 27; (2006) 226 CLR 256 Bi v Mourad [2010] NSWCA 17 Brisbane South Regional Health Authority v Taylor [1996] HCA 541, (1996) 186 CLR 541 C v R (1993) 67 A Crim R 562 Container Terminals Australia Ltd v Huseyin [2008] NSWCA 320 Dixon v Whisprun Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 344 General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (NSW) [1964] HCA 69; (1964) 112 CLR 125 Grassby v R [1989] HCA 45; (1989) 168 CLR 1 HG v The Queen [1999] HCA 2; (1999) 197 CLR 414 Herald & Weekly Times (2003) 130 FCR 435 Hogan v Australian Crime Commission [2010] HCA 21 Holt v Wynter [2000] NSWCA 143; (2000) 49 NSWLR 128 Hoser v Hartcher [1999] NSWSC 527 Hume v Council of the Kings School [2010] NSWSC 186 John Fairfax Group Pty Ltd v Local Court of NSW (1991) 26 NSWLR 131 John Fairfax & Sons Pty Ltd v Police Tribunal (NSW) (1986) 5 NSWLR 465 John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd v District Court of NSW [2004] NSWCA 324 Lee v Keddie [2011] NSWCA 2 Mason v Demasi [2009] NSWCA 227 Mt Isa Mines v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; (1970) 125 CLR 383 Nominal Defendant v Saleh [2011] NSWCA 16 OV and OW v Members of the Board of Wesley Mission Council [2010] NSWCA 155 Pacanowski & Anor v Wakerman & Anor [2009] NSWCA 402 Paric v John Holland Constructions Pty Ltd [1984] 2 NSWLR 505 Paric v John Holland Constructions Pty Ltd [1985] HCA 58; (1985) 59 ALJR 844 Pelechoswki v Registrar, Court of Appeal [1999] HCA 19; (1999) 198 CLR 435 Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164 R v Rogerson [1992] HCA 25; (1992) 174 CLR 268 RTA & Anor v Batistatos [2005] NSWCA 20 Reliance Financial Services v Griffiths [2010] NSWSC 1490 Richards v Cornford (No 3) [2010] NSWCA 134 Sali v SPC Ltd (1993) ALJR 841 Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158 Category: Interlocutory applications Parties: "A" bht "S" (Plaintiff) State of NSW (Defendant) Representation: Mr M Rollinson (Plaintiff) Mr M Windsor SC with Mr R Lee (Defendant) Lexington Law Group Pty Ltd (Plaintiff) Crown Solicitor (Defendant) File Number(s): 1998/57017 2001/95166 Publication restriction: Orders have been made pursuant to s 72 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 prohibiting the publication or disclosure of the names of the plaintiff, the tutor of the plaintiff and the witnesses who have been assigned litigation pseudonyms, including any information or detail from within the court file, or from the evidence in the proceedings, that either identifies, or tends to identify any of these persons.