Australian Capital Territory Numbered Acts

CIVIL LAW (WRONGS) ACT 2002 (NO 40 OF 2002)

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

CHAPTER 1--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Name of Act  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Dictionary  
   4.      Notes  

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 for 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 2.3--SURVIVAL OF ACTIONS ON DEATH

   12.     Effect of death on certain causes of action (LR(MP)A s 4)  
   13.     Damages in surviving cause of action (LR(MP)A s 5)  
   14.     If person liable dies before or at time of damage (LR(MP)A s  
   15.     Saving of rights additional to pt 2.3 (LR(MP)A s 8)  

   PART 2.4--PROCEEDINGS AGAINST AND CONTRIBUTIONS BETWEEN WRONGDOERS

   16.     Definitions for pt 2.4 (LR(MP)A s 10)  
   17.     Each of several wrongdoers can be sued (LR(MP)A s 11)  
   18.     Right of contribution (LR(MP)A s 12)  
   19.     Effect of pt 2.4 (LR(MP)A s 13)  

CHAPTER 3--LIABILITY FOR DEATH OR INJURY

   PART 3.1--WRONGFUL ACT OR OMISSION CAUSING DEATH

           Division 3.1.1--Preliminary—liability for death

   20.     Definitions for pt 3.1 (C(FI)A s 2, s 3)  

           Division 3.1.2--Liability and damages for death

   21.     Liability for a person's death (C(FI)A s 7)  
   22.     Damages for a person's death (C(FI)A s 10)  
   23.     Amounts not to be taken into account in assessing damages for death (C(FI)A s  
   24.     Contributory negligence not defence in relation to death (C(FI)A s 11)  

           Division 3.1.3--Procedural matters—action for death

   25.     One action for benefit of members of dead person's family (C(FI)A s 8, s  
   26.     Payment into court (C(FI)A s 12)  
   27.     Special endorsement on originating process (C(FI)A s 14)  
   28.     Powers of court to make orders in relation to actions (C(FI)A s  

   PART 3.2--INJURY ARISING FROM MENTAL OR NERVOUS SHOCK

   29.     Definitions for pt 3.2 (LR(MP)A s 22)  
   30.     Personal injury arising from mental or nervous shock (LR(MP)A s 23)  
   31.     Extensions of liability under pt 3.2 in certain cases (LR(MP)A s 24)  

CHAPTER 4--DAMAGES

   PART 4.1--GENERAL EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS ABOUT DAMAGES

   32.     Definitions for pt 4.1  
   33.     Application of pt 4.1  
   34.     Exclusion of liability if conduct an offence  
   35.     Presumption of contributory negligence—injured person intoxicated  
   36.     Presumption of contributory negligence—injured person relying on intoxicated  
   37.     Presumption of contributory negligence—injured person not wearing seatbelt  
   38.     Damages for loss of earnings  

   PART 4.2--LOSS OF CAPACITY TO PERFORM DOMESTIC SERVICES

   39.     Damages for loss of capacity to perform domestic services (LR(MP)A s 31, s  

   PART 4.3--CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE

   40.     Definitions for pt 4.3 (LR(MP)A s 14)  
   41.     Apportionment of liability—contributory negligence (LR(MP)A s 15)  
   42.     Joint wrongdoers (LR(MP)A s 16)  
   43.     Claims by third parties—contributory negligence (LR(MP)A s  
   44.      Pleading of statutory limitation period—contributory negligence (LR(MP)A s  

   PART 4.4--OTHER PROVISIONS--DAMAGES

   45.     Court may make consent order for structured settlement  
   46.     Independent finding of liability and award of damages  

CHAPTER 5--DEFAMATION

   PART 5.1--PRELIMINARY--DEFAMATION

   47.     Definitions for ch 5  

   PART 5.2--RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES WITHOUT LITIGATION--DEFAMATION

   48.     Application of pt 5.2  
   49.     Offer to make amends—defamation (DA s 6)  
   50.     Reasonable offer to make amends—defamation (DA s 7)  
   51.     Acceptance of offer to make amends—defamation (DA s 8)  
   52.     False or misleading statement in correction (DA s 9)  
   53.     Offer to make amends not accepted—defamation  
   54.     Order to vindicate reputation if offer not made (DA s 11)  

   PART 5.3--RULES GOVERNING LITIGATION OF CIVIL CLAIMS--DEFAMATION

   55.     Application of pt 5.3 (DA s 12)  
   56.     Meaning of published matter in pt 5.3 (DA s 13)  
   57.     Slander actionable without special damage (DA s 14)  
   58.     Plaintiff's character not likely to be injured (DA s 15)  
   59.     Defence of truth and public benefit (DA s 16)  
   60.     Publication of a proceeding of public concern (DA s 17)  
   61.     Publication of public document (DA s 18)  
   62.     Publication under contract (DA s 19)  
   63.     Evidence of apology admissible in mitigation—defamation (DA s  
   64.     Payment into court—defamation (DA s 21)  
   65.     Defence of apology and payment into court—defamation (DA s  
   66.     Defence for defamation—defendant not negligent  
   67.     Compensation etc provable in mitigation—defamation (DA s 24)  
   68.     Damages—defamation (DA s 25)  
   69.     Disclosure of name of contributor (DA s 26)  

   PART 5.4--OTHER PROVISIONS--DEFAMATION

   70.     Scope of defences not limited (DA s 40)  
   71.     Time not to be extended except by leave (DA s 41)  
   72.     Review of certain provisions of ch 5 (DA s 42)  

CHAPTER 6--TRESPASS

   73.     Defence to action for trespass to land  
   74.     Action for use and occupation of land—amount of damages (LR(MP)A s  

CHAPTER 7--MITIGATION OF STRICT LIABILITY

   PART 7.1--TRAVELLER ACCOMMODATION PROVIDERS LIABILITY

           Division 7.1.1--Preliminary

   75.     Purpose of pt 7.1  
   76.     Definitions for pt 7.1  
   77.     Meaning of traveller accommodation  
   78.     Meaning of accommodation provider  
   79.     Meaning of innkeeper's liability  
   80.     Meaning of guest  
   81.     Meaning of property of guest  

           Division 7.1.2--Liability of accommodation providers

   82.     Application of div 7.1.2  
   83.     Limitation on strict liability under innkeeper's liability (ILA s  
   84.     Circumstances when limitation does not apply (ILA s 4)  
   85.     Safe custody facilities (ILA s 4, 5)  
   86.     Notice about pt 7.1 (ILA s 6)  
   87.     Repeal of Innkeepers Liability Act 1902  

   PART 7.2--COMMON CARRIERS

           Division 7.2.1--Preliminary—common carriers

   88.     Purpose of pt 7.2  
   89.     Definitions for pt 7.2 (CCA s 3)  

           Division 7.2.2--When common law liability of carriers not affected

   90.     Certain things not protected by pt 7.2 (CCA s 10)  
   91.     Public notices by carrier not to affect liability (CCA s 7)  

           Division 7.2.3--Liability of common carriers for certain goods worth more than $20

   92.     Liability of carriers for certain goods worth more than $20 (CCA s 4)  
   93.     Notice of increased charge for transport of certain goods (CCA s 5 (2) and (3), s 6  
   94.     Receipt of carrier for increased charge (CCA s 6)  
   95.     Carrier only liable for proven amount for certain goods (CCA s 11)  

           Division 7.2.4--Liability of common carriers for certain animals

   96.     Definitions for div 7.2.4  
   97.     Liability of carriers for certain animals (CCA s 9 (b))  
   98.     Notice of increased charge for transport of certain animals (CCA s 9  
   99.     Carrier only liable for proven amount for certain animals (CCA s  

           Division 7.2.5--Notice, condition or declaration of carrier

   100.    Carrier liable for neglect or default despite notice etc (CCA s 9 , 9 (a),  

CHAPTER 8--OTHER LIABILITY PROVISIONS

   PART 8.1--OCCUPIERS LIABILITY

   PART 8.2--LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANIMALS

   102.    Evidence of breach of duty for animals (CL(A)A s 8)  

   PART 8.3--LIABILITY FOR FIRES ACCIDENTALLY BEGUN

   103.    Actions do not lie for damage caused by accidental fires (LR(MP)A s  
   104.    Contract between landlord and tenant not affected (LR(MP)A s 60)  

CHAPTER 9--MISREPRESENTATION

   105.    Definitions for ch 9 (LR(Mis)A s 2)  
   106.    Removal of certain bars to rescission for misrepresentation (LR(Mis)A  
   107.    Damages for misrepresentation (LR(Mis)A s 4)  
   108.    Damages instead of rescission for misrepresentation (LR(Mis)A s 5)  
   109.    Exclusion clauses—misrepresentation (LR(Mis)A s 6)  
   110.    Misrepresentation in trade or commerce an offence (LR(Mis)A s 7)  
   111.    Employer etc liable for misrepresentation (LR(Mis)A s 8)  
   112.    Prosecutions for misrepresentation (LR(Mis)A s 9)  

CHAPTER 10--LIMITATIONS ON LEGAL COSTS

   113.    Definitions for ch 10  
   114.    Maximum costs for claims of $50 000 or less  
   115.    Costs incurred after offer of compromise not accepted  
   116.    Exclusion of costs unnecessarily incurred etc  
   117.    Court discretion to allow additional costs  
   118.    Apportionment of costs between lawyers  

CHAPTER 11--MISCELLANEOUS

   PART 11.1--NEUTRAL EVALUATION

   119.    Purpose of pt 11.1 etc  
   120.    Meaning of neutral evaluation and neutral evaluation  
   121.    Who can be an evaluator  
   122.    Referral by court or tribunal for neutral evaluation  
   123.    Duty of parties to take part in neutral evaluations  
   124.    Costs of neutral evaluation  
   125.    Privilege for neutral evaluations  
   126.    Secrecy by evaluators  
   127.    Protection from liability for evaluators  

   PART 11.2--GENERAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF INSURERS

   128.    Who is an insurer for pt 11.2  
   129.    Insurers reporting requirements  
   130.    Confidentiality of general reports of insurers  
   131.    Report to Legislative Assembly  

   PART 11.3--ATTACHMENT OF INSURANCE MONEY

   132.    Amount of liability charge on insurance money payable against liability (LR(MP)A s  
   133.    Enforcement of charge on insurance money (LR(MP)A s 26)  
   134.    Protection of insurer for pt 11.3 charge (LR(MP)A s 27)  
   135.    Certain other provisions not affected by pt 11.3 (LR(MP)A s 28)  

   PART 11.4--ABOLITION OF CERTAIN COMMON LAW ACTIONS, RULES AND REMEDIES

   136.    Abolition of seduction, enticement and harbouring  
   137.    Abolition of rule about unity of spouses (MP(T)A s 4, s 5)  
   138.    Abolition of action of cattle-trespass (CL(A)A s 4)  
   139.    Abolition of distress damage feasant (CL(A)A s 5)  
   140.    Abolition of rules relating exclusively to liability for damage by animals (CL(A)A s  
   141.    Partial abolition of rule in Rylands v Fletcher (CL(A)A s  
   142.    Abolition of rule of common employment (LR(MP)A s 21)  
   143.    Abolition of husband's liability for wife's torts and premarital obligations  
   144.    Abolition of action for loss of consortium (LR(MP)A s 32)  
   145.    Abolition of rule in Cavalier v Pope (LR(MP)A s 29)  
   146.    Partial abolition of Mocambique rule (LR(MP)A s 34, s 35)  

   PART 11.5--OTHER PROVISIONS

   147.    Approved forms  
   148.    Regulation-making power  
   149.    Repealed and amended Acts  

CHAPTER 12--TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

   151.    Application provisions—for certain existing measures  
   152.    Application of pts 2.4 and 4.3 (LR(MP)A s 13A, s 19)  
   153.    Application of provisions of Civil Liability (Animals) Act 1984 (repealed) (CL(A)A s  
   154.    Application of s 30 and s 31 (LR(MP)A s 23, s 24)  
   155.    Transitional regulations  
   156.     Modification of ch 12's operation  
           SCHEDULE 1
           SCHEDULE 2
           SCHEDULE 3
           DICTIONARY
           ENDNOTES