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CIVIL LAW (WRONGS) ACT 2002

Table of Provisions

CHAPTER 1--PRELIMINARY

  • 1 Name of Act  
  • 2 Dictionary  
  • 3 Notes  
  • 4 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc  

CHAPTER 2--PROVISIONS APPLYING TO WRONGS GENERALLY

PART 2.1--GOOD SAMARITANS

  • 5 Protection of good samaritans from liability  

PART 2.2--VOLUNTEERS

  • 6 Definitions—pt 2.2  
  • 7 Meaning of community work  
  • 8 Protection of volunteers from liability  
  • 9 Liability of community organisations for volunteers  
  • 10 Territory may assume liability of community organisations for  
  • 11 Directions to community organisations about insurance etc  

PART 2.2A--FOOD DONORS

  • 11A Definitions—pt 2.2A  
  • 11B Protection of food donors from liability  

PART 2.3--APOLOGIES

  • 12 Application—pt 2.3  
  • 13 Meaning of apology in pt 2.3  
  • 14 Effect of apology on liability etc  

PART 2.4--SURVIVAL OF ACTIONS ON DEATH

  • 15 Effect of death on certain causes of action  
  • 16 Damages in surviving cause of action  
  • 17 If person liable dies before or at time of damage  
  • 18 Saving of rights additional to pt 2.4  

PART 2.5--PROCEEDINGS AGAINST AND CONTRIBUTIONS BETWEEN WRONGDOERS

  • 19 Definitions—pt 2.5  
  • 20 Each of several wrongdoers can be sued  
  • 21 Right of contribution  
  • 22 Effect of pt 2.5  

CHAPTER 3--LIABILITY FOR DEATH OR INJURY

PART 3.1--WRONGFUL ACT OR OMISSION CAUSING DEATH

Division 3.1.1--Preliminary—liability for death

  • 23 Definitions—pt 3.1  

Division 3.1.2--Liability and damages for death

  • 24 Liability for a person's death  
  • 25 Damages for a person's death  
  • 26 Amounts not taken into account in assessing damages for death  
  • 27 Contributory negligence not defence in relation to death  

PART 3.2--MENTAL HARM

  • 32 Definitions—pt 3.2  
  • 33 Personal injury arising from mental or nervous shock  
  • 34 Mental harm—duty of care  
  • 35 Mental harm—damages  
  • 36 Extensions of liability under pt 3.2 in certain cases  

PART 3.3--EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR TERRORISM-ASSOCIATED RISKS

  • 37 Meaning of act of terrorism for pt 3.3  
  • 38 Limitation of liability for acts of terrorism  

CHAPTER 4--NEGLIGENCE

PART 4.1--PRELIMINARY--NEGLIGENCE

  • 40 Definitions—ch 4  
  • 41 Application—ch 4  

PART 4.2--DUTY OF CARE

  • 42 Standard of care  
  • 43 Precautions against risk—general principles  
  • 44 Precautions against risk—other principles  

PART 4.3--CAUSATION

  • 45 General principles  
  • 46 Burden of proof  

PART 4.4--OTHER PROVISIONS--NEGLIGENCE

  • 47 Contributory negligence can defeat claim  
  • 48 Remedy available if claim fraudulent  

CHAPTER 5--PERSONAL INJURIES CLAIMS—PRE-COURT PROCEDURES

PART 5.1--PRELIMINARY--CH 5

  • 49 Definitions—ch 5  
  • 50 Application—ch 5  

PART 5.2--CLAIMS PROCEDURES

  • 51 Notice of claim  
  • 51A Motor accident claims—respondent to identify and notify  
  • 52 Preliminary response to claimant  
  • 53 Acknowledgment that proper respondent not admission of liability  
  • 54 Respondent's response to notice of claim  
  • 55 Claimant may add later respondents  
  • 56 Multiple respondents  
  • 57 Respondent may add someone else as contributor  
  • 58 Contributor's response  
  • 59 Claimant's failure to give complying notice of claim  
  • 60 Legal disabilities  
  • 61 Respondent must attempt to resolve claim  
  • 62 Consequences of noncompliance with pt 5.2  

PART 5.3--OBLIGATIONS OF PARTIES TO GIVE DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION

  • 63 Purpose—pt 5.3  
  • 64 Claimant to give documents etc to respondent  
  • 65 Respondent and claimant may jointly arrange for expert report  
  • 66 Cost of expert report obtained by agreement  
  • 67 Examination by expert if no agreement  
  • 68 Respondent to give documents etc to claimant  
  • 69 Respondent to give documents etc to contributor  
  • 70 Contributor to give documents to respondent  
  • 71 Alternative provision if more than 200 pages  

PART 5.4--OTHER PROVISIONS--PRE-COURT PROCEDURES

  • 72 Nondisclosure of documents etc—client legal privilege  
  • 73 Nondisclosure of documents etc—suspected fraud  
  • 74 Offence—failure to give document, film or information  
  • 75 Consequences of failure to give document  
  • 76 Privilege generally for documents etc  
  • 77 No requirement to give documents etc if already in other party's  
  • 78 Court's power to enforce compliance with pt 5.2 and pt 5.3  
  • 79 Need for urgent proceeding  
  • 80 False or misleading statements  

CHAPTER 7--DAMAGES

PART 7.1--DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURIES--EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS

  • 92 Definitions—pt 7.1  
  • 93 Application—pt 7.1  
  • 94 Exclusion of liability if conduct an offence  
  • 95 Presumption of contributory negligence—injured person intoxicated  
  • 96 Presumption of contributory negligence—injured person relying on intoxicated  
  • 97 Presumption of contributory negligence—injured person not wearing seatbelt  
  • 98 Damages for loss of earnings  
  • 99 Tariffs for damages for non-economic loss  

PART 7.2--LOSS OF CAPACITY TO PERFORM DOMESTIC SERVICES

  • 100 Damages for loss of capacity to perform domestic services  

PART 7.3--CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE

  • 101 Definitions—pt 7.3  
  • 102 Apportionment of liability—contributory negligence  
  • 103 Joint wrongdoers  
  • 104 Claims by third parties—contributory negligence  
  • 105 Pleading of statutory limitation period—contributory  

CHAPTER 7A--PROPORTIONATE LIABILITY

  • 107A Definitions—ch 7A  
  • 107B Application of ch 7A—apportionable claims  
  • 107C Meaning of consumer claim—ch 7A  
  • 107D Concurrent wrongdoers  
  • 107E Certain wrongdoers not to have benefit of apportionment  
  • 107F Proportionate liability for apportionable claims  
  • 107G Defendant to tell claimant about concurrent wrongdoers  
  • 107H Contribution not recoverable from defendant  
  • 107I Subsequent proceeding by claimant  
  • 107J Including non-party concurrent wrongdoer  
  • 107K Ch 7A does not affect certain other liability  

CHAPTER 8--LIABILITY OF PUBLIC AND OTHER AUTHORITIES

  • 108 Application—ch 8  
  • 109 Definitions—ch 8  
  • 110 Principles about resources, responsibilities etc of public or other  
  • 111 Proceedings against public or other authorities based on breach of statutory  
  • 112 When public or other authority not liable for failure to exercise regulatory  
  • 113 Special nonfeasance protection in relation to roads etc  
  • 114 Exercise of function or decision to exercise does not create duty  

CHAPTER 8A--INSTITUTIONAL CHILD ABUSE

PART 8A--.1 DEFINITIONS AND APPLICATION--CH 8A

  • 114A Meaning of child abuse claim  
  • 114AA Meaning of child abuse—ch 8A  
  • 114B Meaning of related trust—ch 8A  
  • 114BA Time when child abuse etc happens  

PART 8A--.2 INSTITUTIONAL CHILD ABUSE--PROCEEDINGS AGAINST UNINCORPORATED BODIES

  • 114C Unincorporated bodies  
  • 114D Unincorporated body may nominate defendant  
  • 114E Court may appoint related trust as defendant  
  • 114F Proceedings may be commenced before nomination or appointment  
  • 114G Liability of trustee if nominated or appointed as defendant  
  • 114H Defendant may rely on defences and immunities etc  

PART 8A--.3 INSTITUTIONAL CHILD ABUSE--SETTING ASIDE ABUSE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS

  • 114I Object—pt 8A.3  
  • 114J Definitions—pt 8A.3  
  • 114K Court may set aside abuse settlement agreement  
  • 114L Court may also set aside other things  
  • 114M Effect of setting aside abuse settlement agreement  

CHAPTER 9--DEFAMATION

PART 9.1--PRELIMINARY--DEFAMATION

  • 115 Objects—ch 9  
  • 116 Definitions—ch 9  
  • 117 Ch 9 binds Crown  

PART 9.2--GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Division 9.2.1--Defamation and the general law

  • 118 Tort of defamation  
  • 119 Distinction between slander and libel abolished  

Division 9.2.2--Causes of action for defamation

  • 120 Single cause of action for multiple defamatory imputations in same  
  • 121 Certain corporations do not have cause of action for defamation  
  • 122 No cause of action for defamation of, or against, deceased  
  • 122A Serious harm element of cause of action for defamation  

Division 9.2.3--Choice of law

  • 123 Choice of law for defamation proceedings  

PART 9.3--RESOLUTION OF CIVIL DISPUTES WITHOUT LITIGATION

Division 9.3.1--Concerns notices and offers to make amends

  • 124 Application—div 9.3.1  
  • 124A Concerns notices  
  • 124B Defamation proceedings cannot be commenced without concerns notice  
  • 125 Publisher may make offer to make amends  
  • 126 When offer to make amends may be made  
  • 127 Content of offer to make amends  
  • 128 Withdrawal of offer to make amends  
  • 129 Effect of acceptance of offer to make amends  
  • 130 Effect of failure to accept reasonable offer to make amends  
  • 131 Inadmissibility of evidence of certain statements and admissions  

Division 9.3.2--Apologies

  • 132 Effect of apology on liability for defamation  

PART 9.4--LITIGATION OF CIVIL DISPUTES

Division 9.4.1--General

  • 133 Leave required for multiple proceedings in relation to publication of same defamatory  

Division 9.4.2--Defences

  • 134 Scope of defences under general law and other law not limited  
  • 135 Defence of justification  
  • 136 Defence of contextual truth  
  • 137 Defence of absolute privilege  
  • 138 Defence for publication of public documents  
  • 139 Defences of fair report of proceedings of public concern  
  • 139AA Defence of publication of matter concerning issue of public  
  • 139A Defence of qualified privilege for provision of certain information  
  • 139AB Defence of scientific or academic peer review  
  • 139B Defences of honest opinion  
  • 139C Defence of innocent dissemination  

Division 9.4.3--Remedies

  • 139E Damages to bear rational relationship to harm  
  • 139F Damages for non-economic loss limited  
  • 139G State of mind of defendant generally not relevant to awarding  
  • 139H Exemplary or punitive damages cannot be awarded  
  • 139I Factors in mitigation of damages  
  • 139J Damages for multiple causes of action may be assessed as single sum  

Division 9.4.4--Costs

  • 139K Costs in defamation proceedings  

PART 9.5--MISCELLANEOUS--CH 9

  • 139L Proof of publication  
  • 139M Proof of convictions for offences  
  • 139N Incriminating answers, documents or things  

CHAPTER 10--TRESPASS

  • 141 Defence to action for trespass to land  
  • 142 Action for use and occupation of land—amount of damages  

CHAPTER 11--MITIGATION OF STRICT LIABILITY

PART 11.1--TRAVELLER ACCOMMODATION PROVIDERS LIABILITY

Division 11.1.1--Preliminary—pt 11.1

  • 143 Purpose—pt 11.1  
  • 144 Definitions—pt 11.1  
  • 145 Meaning of traveller accommodation  
  • 146 Meaning of accommodation provider  
  • 147 Meaning of innkeeper's liability  
  • 148 Meaning of guest  
  • 149 Meaning of property of guest  

Division 11.1.2--Liability of accommodation providers

  • 150 Application—div 11.1.2  
  • 151 Limitation on strict liability under innkeeper's liability  
  • 152 Circumstances when limitation does not apply  
  • 153 Safe custody facilities  
  • 154 Notice about pt 11.1  

PART 11.2--COMMON CARRIERS

Division 11.2.1--Preliminary—common carriers

  • 155 Purpose—pt 11.2  
  • 156 Definitions—pt 11.2  

Division 11.2.2--When common law liability of carriers not affected

  • 157 Certain things not protected by pt 11.2  
  • 158 Public notices by carrier not to affect liability  

Division 11.2.3--Liability of common carriers for certain goods worth more than $20

  • 159 Liability of carriers for certain goods worth more than $20  
  • 160 Notice of increased charge for transport of certain goods  
  • 161 Receipt of carrier for increased charge  
  • 162 Carrier only liable for proven amount for certain goods  

Division 11.2.4--Liability of common carriers for certain animals

  • 163 Definitions—div 11.2.4  
  • 164 Liability of carriers for certain animals  
  • 165 Notice of increased charge for transport of certain animals  
  • 166 Carrier only liable for proven amount for certain animals  

Division 11.2.5--Notice, condition or declaration of carrier

  • 167 Carrier liable for neglect or default despite notice etc  

CHAPTER 12--OTHER LIABILITY PROVISIONS

PART 12.1--OCCUPIERS LIABILITY

  • 168 Liability of occupiers  

PART 12.2--LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANIMALS

  • 169 Evidence of breach of duty for animals  

PART 12.3--LIABILITY FOR FIRES ACCIDENTALLY BEGUN

  • 170 Actions do not lie for damage caused by accidental fires  
  • 171 Contract between landlord and tenant not affected  

CHAPTER 13--MISREPRESENTATION

  • 172 Definitions—ch 13  
  • 173 Removal of certain bars to rescission for misrepresentation  
  • 174 Damages for misrepresentation  
  • 175 Damages instead of rescission for misrepresentation  
  • 176 Exclusion clauses—misrepresentation  
  • 177 Misrepresentation in trade or commerce an offence  
  • 178 Employer etc liable for misrepresentation  
  • 179 Prosecutions for misrepresentation  

CHAPTER 14--LIMITATIONS ON LEGAL COSTS

PART 14.1--MAXIMUM COSTS FOR CERTAIN PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGES CLAIMS

  • 180 Definitions—pt 14.1  
  • 181 Maximum costs for claims of $50 000 or less  
  • 182 Costs incurred after offer of compromise not accepted  
  • 183 Exclusion of costs unnecessarily incurred etc  
  • 184 Court discretion to allow additional costs  
  • 185 Apportionment of costs between lawyers  

PART 14.2--COSTS IN DAMAGES CLAIMS IF NO REASONABLE PROSPECTS OF SUCCESS

  • 186 Definitions—pt 14.2  
  • 187 Application—pt 14.2  
  • 188 Certificate that claim or defence has reasonable prospects of success  
  • 189 Costs order against lawyer acting without reasonable prospects of  
  • 190 Onus on lawyer to show facts provided reasonable prospects of  

CHAPTER 15--MISCELLANEOUS

PART 15.1--MEDIATION AND NEUTRAL EVALUATION

  • 191 Purpose of pt 15.1 etc  
  • 192 Meaning of mediation, neutral evaluation etc  
  • 193 Who can be a mediator  
  • 194 Who can be an evaluator  
  • 195 Referral by tribunal for mediation or neutral evaluation  
  • 196 Duty of parties to take part in neutral evaluations  
  • 197 Costs of neutral evaluation  
  • 198 Agreements and arrangements arising from mediation sessions  
  • 199 Privilege for neutral evaluations  
  • 200 Secrecy by evaluators  
  • 201 Protection from liability for evaluators  

PART 15.3--ATTACHMENT OF INSURANCE MONEY

  • 206 Amount of liability charge on insurance money payable against  
  • 207 Enforcement of charge on insurance money  
  • 208 Protection of insurer for pt 15.3 charge  
  • 209 Certain other provisions not affected by pt 15.3  

PART 15.4--ABOLITION OF CERTAIN COMMON LAW ACTIONS, RULES AND REMEDIES

  • 210 Abolition of seduction, enticement and harbouring  
  • 211 Abolition of rule about unity of spouses  
  • 212 Abolition of action of cattle-trespass  
  • 213 Abolition of distress damage feasant  
  • 214 Abolition of rules relating exclusively to liability for damage by  
  • 215 Partial abolition of rule in Rylands v Fletcher  
  • 216 Abolition of rule of common employment  
  • 217 Abolition of husband's liability for wife's torts and premarital  
  • 218 Abolition of action for loss of consortium  
  • 219 Abolition of rule in Cavalier v Pope  
  • 220 Partial abolition of Mocambique rule  
  • 221 Abolition of torts of maintenance and champerty  

PART 15.5--OTHER PROVISIONS

  • 222 Approved forms  
  • 222A Determination of fees  
  • 223 Regulation-making power  

CHAPTER 18--TRANSITIONAL—CIVIL LAW (WRONGS) AMENDMENT ACT 2021

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