Anderson v The Council of Trinity Grammar School [2018] NSWSC 1633

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Anderson v The Council of Trinity Grammar School [2018] NSWSC 1633 Hearing dates: 3, 7 August 2018 Date of orders: 10 August 2018 Decision date: 24 October 2018 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Rothman J Decision: (1) The defendant's motion is dismissed;

(2) The defendant shall pay the plaintiff's costs of and incidental to the motion. Catchwords: LIMITATION OF ACTION – claim against school for damages arising from sexual abuse by teacher on student – student/plaintiff abused otherwise than on school grounds – abuse occurred over 40 years ago – no limitation period for such claim – school claimed prejudice because of inability to locate files and death of certain witnesses

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application to strike out or to stay proceedings permanently – abuse of process – inability to conduct fair trial – irreversible prejudice claimed – motion dismissed Legislation Cited: Evidence Act 1995 Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) Cases Cited: Armes v Nottinghamshire County Council [2017] UKSC 60 Batistatos v Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales (2006) 226 CLR 256; [2006] HCA 27 Commonwealth v Introvigne (1982) 150 CLR 258; [1982] HCA 40 Connellan v Murphy [2017] VSCA 116 Estate Judd v McKnight; Gammage v Estate Judd, Channell v Estate Judd; McKnight v Estate Judd (No 2) [2018] NSWSC 462 New South Wales v Lepore (2003) 212 CLR 511; [2003] HCA 4 Newcastle City Council v Batistatos; Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW v Batistatos (2005) 43 MVR 381; [2005] NSWCA 20 Prince Alfred College Incorporated v ADC (2016) 258 CLR 134; [2016] HCA 37 S v Attorney General [2003] 3 NZLR 450; [2003] NZCA 149 The Queen v Dennis Bauer (a Pseudonym) (2018) 92 ALJR 846; [2018] HCA 40 Williams v Spautz (1992) 174 CLR 509; [1992] HCA 34 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Robert James Anderson (Plaintiff/Respondent) The Council of Trinity Grammar School (Defendant/Applicant) Representation: Counsel: J Machonachie QC/P Tierney (Plaintiff/Respondent) N Hutley SC/E Holmes (Defendant/Applicant)