Church's legal defence 'dismantled' after sex abuse pay-off thrown out

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A victim of sexual abuse who signed away his rights to sue the Catholic Church has had the settlement overturned in a landmark Supreme Court judgment, paving the way for hundreds of other survivors to seek compensation, writes tom_cowie.

A victim of sexual abuse who signed away his rights to sue the Catholic Church has had the settlement overturned in a landmark Supreme Court judgment, paving the way for hundreds of other survivors to seek compensation.

Last year, the state government passed a law allowing courts to set aside a past deed of release or court judgment relating to child abuse. Cardinal Pell was released from prison in April after his conviction was overturned following a successful appeal to the High Court. "It really wasn’t a legal claim, it was more like asking for charity. I had to take what was offered.

"If relief were granted in this case it might well be granted with respect to all, or certainly very many, historical settlement agreements," the defence argued, according to the Supreme Court judgment. The church paid out at least seven of Hourigan's victims for offending over 32 years, and he was criminally charged with abusing one boy and accused by three others. He died in 1995, before charges could get to court.

 

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