Tort law in Australia

Tort law in Australia is the body of precedents and, to a lesser extent, legislation, that together define the operation of tort law in Australia. A tort is a civil wrong, other than a breach of contract. Tort law is a way in which the law can interfere with relationships between private individuals to correct a form of conduct or wrong. A large number of torts exist, and they generally derive their legal status from the common law. Since a court can define an existing tort or even recognise new ones through the common law, tort law is sometimes regarded as limitless and adaptable to modern circumstances.

Australian perspective

Generally, torts are not defined within specific statute or legislation and have evolved through judge-made law, or common law. However, each state has also created statutes to override the common law, especially in the areas of negligence, personal injuries and defamation.[1]

Australian tort law is heavily influenced by the common law in other countries, principally the United Kingdom, by virtue of Australia's colonial heritage. However, this has since been modified by statutes such as the various State's Civil Liabilities Acts. In addition, there is also a strong and recent trend for the Australian High Court to cite with approval many principles from the United States. However, as the High Court noted:

The history of this country and of the common law makes it inevitable and desirable that the courts of this country will continue to obtain assistance and guidance from the learning and reasoning of...other great common law courts. Subject, perhaps, to the special position of decisions of the House of Lords given in the period in which appeals lay from this country to the Privy Council, the precedents of other legal systems are not binding and are useful only to the degree of the persuasiveness of their reasoning.[2]

Tort Law Distinctions between the UK and Australia

Limitation of actions

Another example of statutory modification of torts is the various Limitation of Actions Acts, which prescribe time limits within which litigation must be commenced, and extinguishing the cause of action (the legal basis for the claim) after the period lapses. The rationale of limitation periods was elucidated by McHugh J:[10]

As a general rule, the limitation period on:

Some common torts in Australian law

Invasion of privacy

In the case ABC v Lenah Games Meats[25] in 2001, the High Court of Australia left open the possibility for development of a tort of invasion of privacy. The Court stated that it did not want to decide the matter at that time and only one member, Justice Callinan, gave any indication that such a tort may be acceptable . It held that Victoria Park Racing v Taylor did not inhibit the development of privacy law in Australia.Victoria Park Racing v Taylor[26]

Since ABC v Lenah Game Meats, the question of whether the breach of privacy was a valid cause of action has been entertained in at least two states. The most adventurous decision is arguably that of the District Court of Queensland in Grosse v Purvis [2003] QDC 151, in which Judge Skoien awarded damages for invasion of privacy.[27] Conversely, the existence of the tort was questioned by Justice Gillard of the Supreme Court of Victoria in Giller v Procopets [2004] VSC 113,[28] in which the Court doubted that the law had 'developed to the point where the law in Australia recognises an action for breach of privacy' (Giller v Procopets at para 181).

Both of these cases were settled out of court and, as a result, will not proceed to appeal. Until this tort receives the attention of an Australian appellate court, the precedential value of Grosse and Giller is limited.

The ALRC has recommended that the Commonwealth should create a private right to sue for a serious invasion of privacy.[29] The ALRC considers that by describing the action as a tort, courts will be encouraged to draw upon established principles of tort law (which it hopes would promote a measure of certainty and consistency to the law). It also considers that the enactment of such a cause of action would bring Australia into line with recent common law developments concerning serious invasions of privacy in common law jurisdictions.

Defamation

Since 2005, all Australian states have adopted uniform defamation laws.

New South Wales: Defamation Act 2005 (NSW)

Victoria: Defamation Act 2005 (VIC)

South Australia: Defamation Act 2005 (SA)

Northern Territory: Defamation Act 2006 (NT)

Western Australia: Defamation Act 2005 (WA)

Tasmania: Defamation Act 2005 (TAS)

Queensland: Defamation Act 2005 (QLD)

Australian Capital Territory: Chapter 9 of the Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 (ACT)

One of the major and most discussed changes concerned defences to publication of defamatory statements. After the reforms, defendants can defend a defamation case on the basis of truth alone (i.e. their comments were true).[32] Prior to the legislative changes, a number of states (including New South Wales and Tasmania) required that comments be both true, and in the public interest or public benefit, to be protected.

Other changes created by the new uniform defamation laws include limits on the maximum payout available, limitation periods for defamation, and formal recognition to any apologies made by the wrongful party.

Wrongful life

A Wrongful life claim is one in which a child plaintiff brings an action against a doctor who negligently diagnosed the plaintiff's mother. Usually, the doctor failed to diagnose rubella during the first trimester, for which there is no cure and which will inevitably cause profound disabilities in the unborn child. Had the mother been correctly diagnosed, she would have exercised her legal right to abortion.[33]

In May 2006, the majority of the High Court of Australia rejected wrongful life, refusing to accept that life can be considered a compensable harm. This means that children who are born disabled as a result of a doctor's (admitted) negligence cannot claim damages.[34] Parents are able to pursue 'wrongful birth' claims if the child (disabled or not) is the outcome of a negligently performed sterilisation procedure (see Cattanach v Melchior).[35] However, post Civil Liability Act, they cannot recover the costs of raising the child in New South Wales.[36]

Litigation

Tort law occupies much of the time of the various Magistrates', Local, District and County Courts and a substantial proportion of the time of the Supreme Courts of each of the states and territories. In addition, there are numerous specialist tribunals dealing with workers' compensation and other cases. Road accident victims are far more likely to make claims and receive tort compensation than any other group. This predominance is due not so much to the law of torts, but the fact that liability insurance is compulsory by statute in all Australian states.[37]Motor Accidents Compensation Act NSW (1999), s8

Historical Context of Legislative reform

1900s

Since the common law evolves slowly, legislative intervention has been necessary to keep torts in pace with social needs. The Workmen's Compensation legislation from 1897 is the most potent example of the necessity of tort reform. The combination of (a) increased risks for workers during industrialisation, and; (b) the refusal by common law courts to place the costs of workplace accidents on employers; forced parliaments to redress the defects and shift the costs of industrial accidents back to employers.[38] Legislation such as the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the state Fair Trading Acts also impinged upon the traditional tort rules in commercial and property areas.

From the early 1980s legislative intervention attempted to reduce the high volume of litigation involving motor vehicle and industrial accidents. Parallel to the rise of Thatcherism in the United Kingdom, in all Australian states common law torts were significantly modified. Speedy "no fault" compensation was made available to workers and victims of motor vehicle accidents.

The decline of HIH Insurance, the Ipp Review and beyond

Since 2002 there has been an acceleration of legislative change, driven by a perceived crisis in the price and availability of insurance, which was largely blamed on the law of negligence. The issue became charged politically, reinforced by the direct liability of government and its role as a re-insurer of last resort. New South Wales, the most litigious state,[39][40][41] had commenced legislative change prior to 2002. Following the collapse of HIH Insurance and the related escalation in insurance premiums in public liability and medical negligence, the NSW proposals were adopted more widely throughout Australia.[42] More on the Ipp panel, its report, the "Insurance Crisis" and Civil Liability laws above.

References

  1. ↑ See, e.g., Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) NSW Legislation
  2. ↑ Cook v Cook (1986) 162 CLR 376 at 390 (Mason, Wilson, Deane and Dawson JJ)
  3. ↑ Williams v Milotin (1957) CLR 465 Lexis Nexis see also Parsons v Partridge (1992) 111 ALR 257
  4. ↑ Public Transport Commission (NSW) v Perry (1977) 137 CLR 107 AustLII
  5. ↑ Venning v Chin (1974) 10 SASR 299; see also Hackshaw v Shaw [1984] HCA 84 AustLII
  6. ↑ "Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd v Dredge "Willemstad" [1976] HCA 65". AustLii.
  7. ↑ Graham Barclay Oysters Pty Ltd v Ryan [2002] HCA 54 - http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/cases/cth/HCA/2002/54.html?stem=0&synonyms=0&query=graham%20barclay%20oysters
  8. ↑ Perre v Apand Pty Ltd (1999) 198 CLR 180; [1999] HCA 36 (12 August 1999) AustLII see also "Tabet v Gett" [2010] HCA 12 (21 April 2010)
  9. ↑ Caltex Refineries (Qld) Pty Limited v Stavar [2009] NSWCA 258 Austlii
  10. ↑ Brisbane Authority v Taylor (1996) 70 ALJR 866 at 871-2
  11. ↑ Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), s 14(1)(b); Limitation of Actions Act 1974 (Qld), s 10(1)(a); Limitation of Actions Act 1936 (SA), s 35; Limitation Act 1974 (Tas), s 4(1)(a); Limitation of Actions Act 1958 (Vic), s 5(1)(a); Limitation Act 1935 (WA), s 38(1)(c)(vi); and Limitation Act 1985 (ACT), s 11(1).
  12. ↑ Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), s 18A; Limitation of Actions Act 1974 (Qld), s 11; Limitation of Actions Act 1936 (SA), s 36; and Limitation Act 1974 (Tas), s 5(1).
  13. ↑ See e.g. Limitation Act 1985 (ACT), s 40.
  14. ↑ "Rixon v Star City Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 265 (28 September 2001)".
  15. ↑ "Balmain Ferry v Robertson (1906) 4 CLR 379".; "Bird v Jones (1845) 7 QB 742; 115 ER 668".
  16. ↑ Waldrip v Ciaccia & ORS (Civil Dispute) [2015] ACAT 9
  17. ↑ "Munro v Southern Dairies Ltd [1995] VLR 332".; see also "Stockwell v State of Victoria [2001] VSC 497".
  18. ↑ "HARVEY v SENNEH PTY LTD - BC8311299"{{http://www.lexisnexis.com.wwwproxy0.library.unsw.edu.au/au/legal/results/enhdocview.do?docLinkInd=true&ersKey=23_T22451685259&format=GNBFULL&startDocNo=0&resultsUrlKey=0_T22451685262&backKey=20_T22451685263&csi=267706&docNo=1&scrollToPosition=0}}
  19. ↑ Mummery v Irvings Pty Ltd [1956] HCA 45; see also Groves v Wimborne [1898] 2 QB 402
  20. ↑ Best v Samuel Fox & Co Ltd [1952] AC 716
  21. ↑ http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/repealed_act/lrca1984327/
  22. ↑ http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au/tocview/index.w3p;cond=;doc_id=114++1986+AT@EN+20040818140000
  23. ↑ http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/lrpa1941404/
  24. ↑ http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/cla2002194/
  25. ↑ ABC v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd [2001] HCA 63; 208 CLR 199; 185 ALR 1; 76 ALJR 1
  26. ↑ Victoria Park Racing and Recreation Grounds Co. Ltd v. Taylor (1937) 58 CLR 479
  27. ↑ Grosse v Purvis [2003] QDC 151 AUSTLII
  28. ↑ Giller v Procopets [2004] VSC 113 AUSTLII
  29. ↑ ALRC Report 123, 2014
  30. ↑ "Visscher v Maritime Union of Australia" [2014] NSWSC 350'".
  31. ↑ ""Pingel v Toowoomba Newspapers Pty Ltd" [2010] QCA 175".
  32. ↑ Defamation Act 2005 (NSW), s 25
  33. ↑ Harriton v Stephens [2006] HCA 15 AustLII"
  34. ↑ Harriton v Stephens (2006) HCA 15; Tabet v Gett 2010 HCA 12; see also Waller v James 2006 HCA 16
  35. ↑ Cattanach v Melchior [2003] HCA 38; 215 CLR 1; 199 ALR 131; 77 ALJR 1312 (16 July 2003) AustLII
  36. ↑ "New South Wales Consolidated Acts - Sect 71". Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  37. ↑ Motor Accidents Compensation Act NSW (1999), s8
  38. ↑ David Gardiner and Frances McGlone, Outline of Torts (2nd ed, 1998), Butterworths, at 33, citing McGuire v Union Steamship Co of New Zealand Ltd (1920) 27 CLR 570 at 578-83.
  39. ↑ "NSW slowest in catching murderers on the loose". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 January 2005.
  40. ↑ Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW)
  41. ↑ Tort Law Reform in Australia - Supreme Court : Lawlink NSW
  42. ↑ McDonald, Barbara (2005). "Legislative Intervention in the Law of Negligence: The Common Law, Statutory Interpretation and Tort Reform in Australia". Sydney Law Review 27 (3): 443. Retrieved 5 August 2014.

'Breaking Women's Silence in Law: The Dilemma of the Gendered Nature of Legal Reasoning' Lucinda M. Finley (1989) Notre Dame Law Review

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, March 06, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.