Abuse Class Action "Fought at Every Turn"

CathNews
May 2, 2014

http://cathnews.com/cathnews/17573-abuse-class-action-fought-at-every-turn

Howard Harrison, a partner at Carroll and O’Dea, which acted on behalf of the religious order during the proceedings in the mid 90s, also told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that they knew the 'Slater and Gordon tsunami had to be managed' and proceeded with a technical strategy despite early requests for mediation.

Earlier, the hearing was told the Christian Brothers used every legal avenue at its disposal to prevent the case from getting to court.

Through their lawyers they were able to successfully have two separate applications regarding compensation claims by former residents of Bindoon, Castledare, Clontarf and Tardun boys homes moved to WA where they were thrown out because of statute of limitation laws.

When asked by commissioner Justice Peter McClellan why this approach was taken, Mr Harrison said they wanted to manage the process and denied their strategy was to win.

But Justice McClellan disputed his denial saying that his earlier evidence was that 'any technical point of defence should be taken.'

'That means winning. You knew there was no prospect of time being extended.'

FULL COVERAGE

Royal commission told Christian Brothers tried to avoid liability over alleged abuse (PerthNow)

Lawyers faced challenges acting for abused sexual victims of WA homes (WA Today)

Abuse class action 'fought at every turn' (The West Australian)

Slater and Gordon lawyer defends firm's representation of victims