Hawkins V Clayton Case Summary
Hawkins v Clayton [1988] HCA 15; (1988) 164 CLR 539 (8 April 1988)
High Court of Australia
Case Title: HAWKINS v. CLAYTON [1988] HCA 15; (1988) 164 CLR 539 F.C. 88/012 Medium Neutral Citation: [1988] HCA 15 Hearing Date(s): 1987, May 13 1988, April 8 Decision Date: 20 June 2011 Jurisdiction: High Court of Australia Before: C.J Mason J. Wilson J. Brennan J. Deane J. Gaudron Catchwords: Negligence - Duty of care - Solicitor - Will held by solicitor - Failure to inform executor of death of testator and of contents - Whether duty to do so - Loss to estate caused by executor's ignorance of death - Measure of damages. Limitation of Actions - Tort - Accrual of cause of action - Running of time - Commencement - Breach by solicitor of duty of care to inform executor of testator's death - Loss to estate caused by executor's ignorance of death - Limitation Act 1969 (N.S.W.), s. 14(1). Legislation Cited: Limitation Act 1969 (N.S.W.), s. 14(1) Wills, Probate and Administration Act 1898 (N.S.W.), s.150 s.32 of the Wills, Probate and Administration Act s.61 of the Wills, Probate and Administration Act Cases Cited: Central Trust Co. v. Rafuse (1986) 31 DLR (4th) 481, at p 521 Bowen v. Paramount Builders (1977) 1 NZLR 394, per Richmond P., at p 407 Central Trust Co. v. Rafuse (1986) 31 DLR (4th) 481, at p 521 Bowen v. Paramount Builders (1977) 1 NZLR 394, per Richmond P., at p 407 Voli v. Inglewood Shire Council [1963] HCA 15; (1963) 110 CLR 74, at p 85 Midland Bank v. Hett, Stubbs and Kemp (1979) Ch 384, at pp 402-403 Hedley Byrne & Co. Ltd. v. Heller & Partners Ltd. [1963] UKHL 4; AC 465 Marshall v. Broadhurst (1831) 1 C & J 403 [1831] EngR 151; (148 ER 1480) Balch v. Symes [1823] EngR 362; (1823) Turn & R 87, at p 92 Aebly's Will (1941) 29 NYS 2d 929, at pp 931-932; affirmed (1941) 31 NYS 2d 664 Georges v. Georges [1811] EngR 446; (1811) 18 VesJun 294 (34 ER 328)
High Court of Australia
Case Title: HAWKINS v. CLAYTON [1988] HCA 15; (1988) 164 CLR 539 F.C. 88/012 Medium Neutral Citation: [1988] HCA 15 Hearing Date(s): 1987, May 13 1988, April 8 Decision Date: 20 June 2011 Jurisdiction: High Court of Australia Before: C.J Mason J. Wilson J. Brennan J. Deane J. Gaudron Catchwords: Negligence - Duty of care - Solicitor - Will held by solicitor - Failure to inform executor of death of testator and of contents - Whether duty to do so - Loss to estate caused by executor's ignorance of death - Measure of damages. Limitation of Actions - Tort - Accrual of cause of action - Running of time - Commencement - Breach by solicitor of duty of care to inform executor of testator's death - Loss to estate caused by executor's ignorance of death - Limitation Act 1969 (N.S.W.), s. 14(1). Legislation Cited: Limitation Act 1969 (N.S.W.), s. 14(1) Wills, Probate and Administration Act 1898 (N.S.W.), s.150 s.32 of the Wills, Probate and Administration Act s.61 of the Wills, Probate and Administration Act Cases Cited: Central Trust Co. v. Rafuse (1986) 31 DLR (4th) 481, at p 521 Bowen v. Paramount Builders (1977) 1 NZLR 394, per Richmond P., at p 407 Central Trust Co. v. Rafuse (1986) 31 DLR (4th) 481, at p 521 Bowen v. Paramount Builders (1977) 1 NZLR 394, per Richmond P., at p 407 Voli v. Inglewood Shire Council [1963] HCA 15; (1963) 110 CLR 74, at p 85 Midland Bank v. Hett, Stubbs and Kemp (1979) Ch 384, at pp 402-403 Hedley Byrne & Co. Ltd. v. Heller & Partners Ltd. [1963] UKHL 4; AC 465 Marshall v. Broadhurst (1831) 1 C & J 403 [1831] EngR 151; (148 ER 1480) Balch v. Symes [1823] EngR 362; (1823) Turn & R 87, at p 92 Aebly's Will (1941) 29 NYS 2d 929, at pp 931-932; affirmed (1941) 31 NYS 2d 664 Georges v. Georges [1811] EngR 446; (1811) 18 VesJun 294 (34 ER 328)
Cited: Sir James Stephen, A History of the Criminal Law of England (1883)