A new civil trial alleging sexual abuse by former Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer has been averted after a last-minute settlement was reached.
The trial was due to begin this morning in the Victorian Supreme Court between a woman who cannot be named and the Adass Israel School, where Leifer was principal.
Leifer was found guilty last month of 18 sexual abuse offences against two former students between 2003 and 2007.
She is still awaiting sentence.
On Tuesday, the civil complainant's lawyer Thomas McCredie told Justice Melinda Richards the parties had reached a settlement.
"We're pleased to indicate the parties have largely resolved the matter," he said.
Justice Richards congratulated the parties on reaching a resolution, the details of which remain confidential.
Rally allegedly organised
Before the trial, a child sexual abuse campaigner claimed a protest had been organised outside the house of the woman bringing the case against the school.
In a statement, Voice Against Child Abuse chief executive Manny Waks said: "We note with disgust that a protest was organised by members of the Adass Israel community this evening, outside the family home of the alleged victim/survivor, in an effort to intimidate and pressure her from pursuing justice."
The statement included screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation purporting to rally protesters.
"We are organising a protest outside the house tonight 9pm. Trying to get at least 20 people. . Please! It's a serious situation! We have 15 people but need much more!" the message read.
Another message Mr Waks said came from the school urged against any protest, saying: "Such behaviour does not help the school, the community, or the plaintiff."
In a statement, principal and CEO of the Adass Israel School Aaron Strasser confirmed the school had recently settled a claim for damages brought by a former student and the matter had been resolved.
"We hope that with the resolution of this matter the former student can begin the process of healing," he said.
Mr Strasser said the safety and wellbeing of students were the school's highest priorities, and it continued to make free, confidential counselling available to all community members.
He also said the school attempted to thwart protest action.
"In response to rumours of a planned protest, the school appealed to our wider community to respect the legal process and not take any such action," he said.
