Statutory limitation periods in child abuse cases removed in NSW

In brief - New legislation applies retrospectively

The NSW government has recently passed legislation removing time limitations on claims for child sexual and serious physical abuse. The legislation addresses the recommendations by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that time limitations should be removed with retrospective effect, while also preserving the right to a fair trial.

Limitation Amendment (Child Abuse) Bill 2016 passed by NSW government

On 14 September 2015, the Royal Commission released its Redress and civil litigation report. One of the recommendations made in the report was that limitation periods that apply to a claim for damages resulting from child sexual abuse be removed.