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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Christopher Knaus

High court rules Catholic church not liable for child abuse by priest it didn’t directly employ

RC The Salvation Army DP Victoria
The high court has ruled in favour of the Catholic church and against expanding vicarious liability beyond the employer-employee relationship.
The high court has ruled in favour of the Catholic church and against expanding vicarious liability beyond the employer-employee relationship. Photograph: Fortgens Photography/Getty Images

The Catholic church has won a landmark case limiting its liability for the abuse of children by priests not under its direct employment.

Lawyers immediately warned the case could have “far-reaching” consequences for abuse survivors and called for legislative change to ensure institutions were held to account.

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