NSW branch of Scouts permanently shielded by court from abuse survivor’s compensation claim

Judge rules fair trial impossible as perpetrator may seek to shift moral blame to employer so cannot give objective evidence

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The New South Wales branch of the Scout Association of Australia has been permanently shielded from an abuse survivor's compensation claim despite the fact the paedophile former Scout leader remains alive and available to give evidence about his former employer's child protection systems.

The NSW supreme court recently ruled that Scouts was unable to have a fair trial in a survivor's civil case, which alleged that the organisation failed in its duty to protect him from abuse by former Scout leader Paul Hayes in Toongabbie in the 1970s and 1980s.

Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup